Any woman over 18 who is not satisfied with her breast position due to drooping appearance, but is fine with its size. This condition may occur as a consequence of breastfeeding, during which there might be a considerable increase in breast size followed by a quick decrease causing the skin to become loose and lose its strength for naturally supporting the breasts. This will cause the breasts to "fall" and have an unpleasant look, especially if the woman is still young and/or in shape.

This procedure basically involves breasts re-lifting (pexy or uplift).
It is critical to thoroughly evaluate the patient's situation and expectations, so that's why the choices of which procedure to undergo and which technique to use must be discussed with the surgeon during the first visit in order to clarify every possible doubt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

This procedure can be performed only in operating rooms under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia. During the visit the surgeon will explain the breast "uplift" technique to the patient and clarify that the procedure will leave unavoidable scars.
In the majority of the cases it might be enough to make a rounded incision around the edge between the nipple-areola and the breast skin (thanks to this technique it is possible, if necessary, to reduce the nipple size), followed by a vertical incision down to the submammary fold.
In case of serious breast ptosis (drooping) and/or very big size, it will be necessary to make a further horizontal incision in the submammary fold, the size of which depends on the situation.
Once the breasts are lifted and the desired result is achieved (to the most possible extent which depends on technical and biological limits), an aspiration drainage will be applied and then removed after 24-72 hours. There are different types of medications and sutures which will be chosen by the surgeon.

POST-OPERATIVE PHASE AND CONVALESCENCE

This procedure REQUIRES at least a one-night hospitalization, unless the patient asks for something different or the surgeon finds it necessary to make the patient stay longer.
During the following 15-20 days it is necessary to keep the sutures checked and medicated in order to get a proper scar healing process and make them show as little as possible.
It is strongly recommended to wear a high-compression bra, like the sports ones, for about 30-60 days after the surgery.
During the first post-operative days the treated areas may look edematose (swollen) and sometimes ecchymotic (purple bruises that turn yellowish after a few days and eventually disappear), and this condition will end in the space of 7-14 days, depending on the patient's predisposition.
It may take up to 100 days for part of the edema (usually 30-40%) to completely recover.
In the first 24-48 hours the post-operative pain is more intense and can be managed with infusion therapies (drip). It will decrease gradually and can be relieved with painkillers.
During the first 7-15 days after the procedure the patient has to take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, or even other types of drugs if the surgeon or the anaesthetist find it necessary.
Intense physical activities and exercises must be suspended for about 30 days.
Smokers should not smoke at least 15 days before and 30 days after the surgery.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

This procedure must be performed in a safe environment (Hospital operating rooms, Clinics and accredited Extended Care Facilities) and by qualified and expert physicians (surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical technologist, anaesthetist and operating room staff), in order not to run into any risk of major complications, as long as the patient follows thoroughly all the post-operative instructions given by the medical staff.
As for every other surgery, the choices of which procedure to undergo and which technique to use must be thoroughly discussed with the surgeon during the first visit in order to clarify every possible doubt and achieve the best results possible.
Unfortunately such good choices are usually more expensive, but I firmly believe that saving money endangering health, especially when it comes to aesthetic surgery, is both stupid and dangerous.

COSTS

Considering the wide range of available techniques and prostheses types/quality (consequently conditioning the duration of the procedure), of prices asked by the different Extended Care Facilities (and the huge importance of performing the procedure in safe facilities) and the fees for the anaesthetists and for the surgical and nursing staff, this procedure can cost from 6.500€ up to 10.000€.