Featuring Dr. Nancy Van Laeken, MD, FRCSC, Plastic Surgeon

Duration: 2 minutes

A mastopexy is also known as a breast lift and it is an operation that patients seek if they feel that their breasts are positioned too low on the chest wall. 

This is a condition that can occur after pregnancy. It can occur after significant weight loss. The operation is associated with some scaring but the more youthful appearance and shape of the breast is appealing to the patients so they are willing to undergo the operation for those reasons.

The mastopexy can be performed in a number of different ways. This is indicated by the extent of scaring that occurs during the operation. On occasion, a mastopexy will be done at the same time as a breast augmentation so the patient can have the breast lifted and enhanced in volume at the same time.

The major concerns the patients have with respect to mastopexy is the location and the extent of the nature of the scarring. This is something that should be discussed with the surgeon, to try to identify what technique would be most appropriate for them, and what is required. They may well wish to have a breast augmentation at the same time, which will alter the amount of scaring that they will have.

If they are interested in pursuing it, it is important that they have a consultation with the surgeon who is familiar with the operation and the various techniques to provide them with the outcome that they would like to have.