Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

Mastopexy or Breast Lift Mammoplasty?

Breast ptosis occurs as a result of volume loss following childbirth or significant weight loss; breast ageing is a common concern among women that is difficult to avoid. Breast ptosis can be addressed through mastopexy, also known as breast lift surgery — a procedure that an increasing number of women are choosing to undergo.

It must be emphasised, however, that this is a surgery requiring a medical team specialised in breast surgery, and Madrid is home to a number of excellent professionals. Experience is paramount when performing this procedure, as many factors come into play: skin quality, the mammary gland, breast implants, and more. It is also important to determine whether breast implants are required, or whether additional corrections alongside the mastopexy itself may be advisable — such as reducing the size of the areola or correcting breast asymmetry.

At our plastic surgery clinic in the heart of Madrid, we offer fully personalised care based on a completely individualised planning and assessment process, with the aim of achieving optimal results. The best advice we can give you is to take the time to choose a skilled plastic surgeon and a clinic that guarantees your safety and the success of the procedure.

But… what does mastopexy or breast lift surgery involve?

Breast ptosis, more commonly known as sagging breasts, is secondary to gravity and other factors such as the passage of time, the post-pregnancy period, or significant weight loss. This ptosis affects the nipple, areola, and glandular tissue, as the skin stretches and the majority of breast tissue descends to the lower pole of the breast.

As the skin loses its elasticity, the breast gradually droops and loses its shape. To improve its appearance, a breast lift is required, achieved through the removal of excess skin.

Who is the ideal candidate for mastopexy or breast lift surgery?

The ideal candidates for mastopexy or breast lift surgery are healthy women who have a realistic understanding of the results that can be achieved through this plastic surgery procedure — involving the removal of excess skin and, where breast volume is insufficient, the placement of breast implants.

Many women seek a breast lift or mastopexy after experiencing ptosis following pregnancy or breastfeeding, which leaves the breasts deflated and drooping. While mastopexy does not carry any risk of affecting future pregnancies, it is important to be aware that, although not common, the breasts may drop again if you become pregnant again.

Planning Mastopexy in Madrid (Breast Lift)

Before undergoing breast lift surgery, Dr. Guilarte will assess the size and shape of your breasts, skin firmness, and your general state of health. Dr. Guilarte will explain all available surgical options for your concern. Both the shape and size of your breasts will be analysed, and all possible combinations of procedures will be explored to determine the most suitable approach for your individual case.

In some cases, where breast volume needs to be restored, it will be advisable to place a breast implant at the same time as the mastopexy. This allows us to adjust the volume to achieve a better result. Aesthetically, the breast will gain in naturalness and therefore in beauty. It is also worth noting that the use of breast implants helps to make the result more long-lasting.

Dr. Guilarte will advise you on what is best for your particular case, but please do not forget to tell the doctor about your expectations and the results you are hoping to achieve. It is common to assume that a slightly less aesthetic result with fewer scars is the better option — but it is important not to deceive yourself into thinking that avoiding scars makes it equally possible to achieve the best outcome. Beyond a certain degree of ptosis, it is simply not possible to achieve the best result without scars. Do not fall into the trap of misleading yourself or being misled, as the consequences can be significant — leading to skin irregularities that are difficult to correct in subsequent revision surgeries.

Periareolar mastopexy, vertical mastopexy, or inverted-T mastopexy?

The choice of incision type for breast lift surgery depends largely on the degree of ptosis. When the breast is smaller and only mildly ptotic, the incision is placed around the areola only; this procedure is known as periareolar mastopexy.

We refer to vertical mastopexy when a vertical line is traced from the areola downwards to the inframammary fold. When the breast is more significantly ptotic, an additional incision is made along the crease beneath the breast — the resulting scar shape gives this technique its name: inverted-T mastopexy.

The Need for Breast Implants

The use of breast implants is necessary when breast volume is very small or when there is an excess of skin. It is common to combine breast lift surgery and breast implant placement in a single procedure. The aesthetic results are excellent.

After Mastopexy or Breast Lift Surgery

After mastopexy or breast lift surgery, it is normal to feel tired for a couple of days following the procedure. Please be assured that you will be able to resume a “near-normal” routine within 24–48 hours. Any discomfort resulting from the procedure is effectively managed with the medication prescribed by the doctor. Some degree of tightness in the breasts is normal. After two days, the dressings will be replaced with a specialised adhesive tape dressing, which will allow you to shower comfortably.

Reduced nipple sensitivity typically lasts for a few days following the procedure and is generally temporary. Your breasts will be more sensitive during the first 2 to 3 weeks, and we therefore recommend avoiding excessive physical contact until the third or fourth week.

There is no need to have the sutures removed, as they are absorbable and will dissolve naturally.

Swelling will not fully subside until 3 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Your scars will follow this course: they will initially appear pink, but will progressively improve from the sixth week onwards.

Scar care will be a priority; however, please rest assured that Dr. Guilarte and his team will prepare you to manage the post-operative period as comfortably as possible. After surgery, you should continue with the mammographic screening appropriate for your age.

After breast lift surgery, you will be able to return to work within a few days. You should follow the doctor’s instructions regarding permitted physical activities and exercise. You should avoid lifting objects above your head for the first 2 to 3 weeks, and particularly if they are heavy.

Results of breast lift surgery, also known as “Mastopexy”

Breast lift surgery is a safe surgical procedure, provided it is performed by a skilled plastic surgeon. Breast lift surgery does leave scars, which will be more or less visible depending on how well they are cared for — it is therefore essential to follow all the recommendations provided by your doctor.

It is also worth noting that healing complications during the first two weeks following surgery are more common in smokers.

Partial — and occasionally total — loss of nipple sensation is not common, but some patients do experience this.

Future breastfeeding may be affected depending on the technique used, although this only occurs in cases involving significant breast reduction.

The effects of mastopexy are long-lasting but not permanent. Weight fluctuations, ageing, and new pregnancies are factors that can contribute to breast ptosis. Patients who have combined breast lift surgery with a breast implant will generally achieve more durable results.

Fully personalised mastopexy tailored to each patient’s individual needs

On this page we provide a general overview of the characteristics of mastopexy and its different surgical techniques. These descriptions offer a general understanding of the procedure; however, they are not sufficient for self-diagnosis.

Our best advice is that patients should not focus on trying to determine which technique would be most appropriate in their case — what they should do is reflect on the result they wish to achieve (provided their expectations are realistic).

In truth, there is no single generic technique that can address all cases of breast ptosis, as every person, breast, aesthetic goal, need, and pre-existing condition is different. In the majority of cases, it is not only the ptosis that is addressed, but also other elements such as increasing or reducing breast volume, correcting tuberous breast, restoring symmetry, or changing the size of the areola, among others.

At this point, it is worth reiterating that it is during the first consultation that the pre-operative shape of the breast is assessed and the results that can be achieved through one or more procedures are outlined.

Each procedure is therefore completely personalised, and what has been planned for one patient can rarely be replicated for another.

As an example, consider the following case, which could broadly be described as a “periareolar mastopexy” — but which is in fact the correction of a tuberous breast with ptosis, addressed through said mastopexy, together with Gore-Tex, lower pole scoring, and glandulectomies. In addition, we increased the breast volume and improved its shape through the use of anatomical implants.

Before and After Photos — Mastopexy Results at Clínica Guilarte

We have organised real cases into broad groups according to the most common procedure types: inverted-T mastopexy and periareolar mastopexy. The key difference between these two surgical techniques lies in the placement of the scars — and, naturally, the choice between them depends on the pre-operative shape of the breast, the desired result, and the durability of the outcome.

Before and after surgery photos: inverted-T mastopexy

Inverted-T mastopexy allows us to completely reshape the breast. The resulting scar is inverted-T in shape, which gives this surgical technique its name. The great advantage of this procedure is that it allows us to lift the breast in cases of severe ptosis. It enables the removal of more skin and glandular tissue to achieve the desired shape, whether or not implants are used.

Before and after surgery photos: periareolar mastopexy

In periareolar or circumareolar mastopexy, the scar is placed around the areola. This technique is used for mild ptosis that does not require significant removal of skin or glandular tissue. With periareolar mastopexy, breast ptosis is corrected by repositioning the areola to a higher position. Where appropriate, this procedure is also used to remove the skin surrounding the areola, thereby reducing its size.

Real mastopexy result videos from Clínica Guilarte in Madrid

If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the result of your breast lift surgery. We therefore encourage you to seek advice from experienced plastic surgeons, share your concerns and expectations from the very first appointment, and gain a clear understanding of what this aesthetic procedure can achieve.

In this video you can see how the breast responds to different patient movements following breast lift surgery at Clínica Guilarte.

This video shows the result of a breast lift using the vertical technique. The choice of technique is always made by the surgeon, based on the shape of your breasts.

Challenging cases: Secondary Mastopexy

Unfortunately, patients who have undergone a first breast lift procedure with an unsatisfactory result tend to lose confidence in mastopexy and convince themselves that it is no longer possible to restore the appearance of their breasts. The psychological impact of such an outcome can be significant. However, as with any setback — psychological or physical — there is always at least the possibility of improvement.

At Clínica Guilarte, we want to convey that every case can be improved. We can correct the shape by adapting the implants to the patient’s morphology; there are also techniques and tools available — such as the use of Gore-Tex to gather the skin around the areolas and lower poles — that help improve areola shape and/or create the visual impression of a lower nipple position. In the hands of experienced professionals, there is always room for improvement.

Mastopexy Price in Madrid

Despite how common this type of procedure has become, the cost of mastopexy in Madrid remains very high at many clinics. We believe that mastopexy is in many cases a simpler procedure than breast augmentation surgery, which is why certain pricing considerations at Clínica Guilarte tend to be more accessible than is typically seen elsewhere.

This applies particularly to cases that do not require the use of implants in the plastic surgery procedure. Without the cost of breast implants or the full process of adapting them, the overall cost of surgery is reduced accordingly.

Of course, mastopexy or breast lift surgery involves a complex clinical process; however, in these cases the procedure is more straightforward and less invasive than other operations. These are the reasons why the cost of mastopexy should be lower — and we agree with this view, which is why we offer the best mastopexy pricing in Madrid.

If you have any questions about the breast lift process, the post-operative period, or the final cost of the procedure, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can complement the information on this procedure with documentation on breast implants available on this website.