If you’re considering a Breast Lift (Mastopexy), the first step is to book a consultation with Dr Eddy Dona. A consultation will allow you to find out everything you would like to know, and for Dr Dona to determine whether a Mastopexy would be suitable for you. To make the most of your consultation, there are a few things we recommend you do so you can come away feeling well informed and able to decide whether surgery is right for you.
In this article, we cover:
- What is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?
- Tasks to Complete Before Your Consultation
- Your Assessment
- Topics Dr Dona Will Discuss
What Is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?
A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that addresses breast droop or sagging (ptosis). It primarily involves removing excess skin and reshaping and repositioning the existing breast tissue. Unlike a Breast Reduction, the aim is not to significantly reduce the volume of the breasts. It also lifts the nipple that sits lower than desired while tightening the tissues beneath it.
Once the tissues have been repositioned, the new skin edges are joined and sewn together with dissolvable sutures.
Dr Dona performs all Mastopexy procedures in a private hospital with the patient under general anaesthesia. It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. However, if it is combined with other procedures, such as breast implants, it may take longer.
Tasks to Complete Before Your Consultation Date
Organise Your Referral
You’ll need to see your GP, tell them of your plans to investigate a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedure, and ask them for a referral to see Dr Dona at Bella Plastic Surgery in Bella Vista, Sydney. Your referral must be addressed to Dr Eddy Dona and sent to Bella Plastic Surgery no later than the day before your consultation.
Write Lists
Write a list of everything you’d like to ask Dr Dona so that you don’t forget anything on the day. This is your consultation time, so make the most of it and remember there’s no reason to feel shy. Dr Dona talks to patients about their bodies every day, and is used to discussing such issues.
You may also want to write a list regarding lifestyle considerations that you want to discuss. For example, if you have not yet completed your family and would like to have more children, let Dr Dona know. Future pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the size and shape of the breasts and may affect the results of your Breast Lift (Mastopexy).
If you have a physically demanding job, Dr Dona will be able to advise you as to how much recovery time you need away from work.
Document Your Medical Information
Write a list of all medications, supplements and herbs you take, as these can affect your procedure. For example, some medications, herbal remedies and dietary supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or interact with anaesthesia.
Depending on what you are taking, Dr Dona may advise that you stop or temporarily change certain medications or supplements before surgery. You should only make these changes on the advice of Dr Dona or your anaesthetist.
Think About Your Objectives
The clearer you can articulate your concerns and objectives, the more Dr Dona can understand you and determine whether a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is an appropriate procedure for you. To help with your communication on the day, think through the reasons you want to have this procedure.
You may be primarily concerned with the direction of your nipples, the size of your areolas, your breast volume or the actual position of your breasts. Or perhaps you’re keen to have a firmer contour, but don’t want implants. Alternatively, you may be considering both a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) and implants. Communicating these reasons helps ensure that your objectives align with what the surgery can actually achieve.
As all these details are important, it’s a good idea to write them down.
Your Consultation Day
During your consultation, Dr Dona will take you through several important aspects of your surgery.
Assessment
- Discussing Goals: Dr Dona will first ask you to share your concerns and objectives with him so that he can best serve you and determine whether surgery is appropriate.
- Medical Review: Dr Dona will investigate your medical and health history (including past surgeries), along with all medications, supplements and herbs that you may be taking. He will also check that your weight is stable and that you don’t plan on losing a significant amount of weight, as substantial changes in weight can affect breast shape and the long-term result of surgery.
- Breast Examination: After you’ve discussed your concerns and objectives with Dr Dona, he will examine your breasts, assessing your skin elasticity and breast shape. This will include taking measurements to evaluate your nipple position, breast volume and the degree of sagging (ptosis) that you have. Dr Dona will take clinical photos of your breasts. These are used for your assessment and surgical planning and are kept as part of your confidential medical record.
Topics Covered During Your Consultation
Surgical Planning
If, after examining you, Dr Dona thinks that surgery may be appropriate, he will discuss the type of technique that he thinks is most appropriate for your anatomy.
Different techniques use different incision patterns, including peri-areolar, vertical and anchor-shaped incisions. The choice depends on factors such as your degree of breast drooping, breast shape and size, the position and size of your areola and the quality and elasticity of your skin.
Dr Dona will outline what can be realistically achieved, along with the associated limitations and potential complications. He will explain the recovery timeline and discuss important practical details, such as how much time you need to take off from work, exercise and normal daily activities.
Sometimes, he may suggest a combined procedure. For example, if you wanted to lift the position of your nipples, but were also keen to considerably increase your breast volume, he may discuss the possibility of combining your Mastopexy with a Breast Augmentation.
Alternatively, if you had expressed concerns about your tummy, he may suggest combining your Mastopexy with an Abdominoplasty procedure. It all depends on your objectives and what Dr Dona thinks is clinically appropriate.
Your Hospital Stay
Dr Dona typically performs his Breast Lift (Mastopexy) surgeries at Kingsgrove Day Hospital, with patients discharged on the same day. Depending on the extent of surgery and whether other procedures are being performed at the same time, surgery may instead be undertaken at Norwest Private Hospital or Westmead Private Hospital, with the need for an overnight stay determined on an individual basis. This will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Medicare & Private Health Insurance
Dr Dona will also discuss Medicare and Private Health Insurance rebates, and whether they apply.
If your Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedure is considered cosmetic, then you will not receive a Medicare rebate or any benefits from your health insurance fund.
If your Mastopexy is being performed for reconstructive or medically indicated reasons, you may be eligible for a Medicare item number, provided the specific Medicare eligibility requirements are met. Your eligibility will depend on the circumstances of your surgery and the applicable Medicare item.
Private Health Insurance generally only contributes toward hospital costs where a Medicare item applies and the procedure is covered under your policy.
Further, you must have served any applicable waiting periods (often 12 months) and have an appropriate level of hospital cover (often, but not always, called top hospital cover).
Your insurer can confirm whether you are covered and whether any waiting periods or exclusions apply.
Results
Dr Dona will discuss the results you can expect from the Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedure. This includes detailing the scars you’ll have (determined by the surgical technique selected for you), the anticipated appearance of your breasts and what your recovery will be like. You may also be shown before-and-after images of patients who have had the same procedure. While every individual is unique, these images will serve as a guide so you have some understanding of the type of results you can expect.
Costs
After your consultation, the clinical team will give you a surgical plan that includes a surgical quote, which is a detailed breakdown of your procedure costs. This gives you an opportunity to understand the fees involved before making your decision to proceed.
Choose Your Surgeon Carefully
When considering any breast surgery, you must choose your surgeon wisely. Breast surgery involves complex anatomy, high aesthetic impact and significant health risks.
A suitably qualified and experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon has undergone extensive training in surgical anatomy, patient assessment and management of potential complications. Choosing a surgeon with appropriate specialist qualifications and experience is an important part of making an informed decision about surgery.
Dr Eddy Dona is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who has dedicated his career to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since 2007. He is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He also has a special interest in breast surgery and has performed breast surgery throughout his specialist career.
Please feel free to read more about Dr Eddy Dona here >
