Who Is a Good Candidate for Mastopexy ?
Significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, or genetic factors (even at a young age) can cause a mismatch between the breast tissue and the surrounding skin envelope. In such cases, the skin becomes looser than the breast tissue, leading to breast sagging (breast ptosis) and a loss of firmness. The nipple position may shift downward and the breast shape may lose its youthful contour.
A breast lift (mastopexy) is performed to elevate and reshape the breast by tightening excess skin and repositioning the nipple-areola complex to a more natural, aesthetically pleasing level. When additional volume is needed, the procedure can be combined with breast augmentation using silicone implants, so both lifting and fullness can be achieved in the same plan.
For patients searching online for "breast lift in Turkey," "mastopexy near Istanbul," or "breast aesthetics Istanbul," Tekirdağ offers an important advantage due to its location very close to Istanbul, making it a convenient option for international patients who wish to combine aesthetic surgery with a smooth travel experience.
What Is a Silicone Breast Implant?
With advances in medical technology, modern breast implants have evolved significantly. While earlier generations were produced using different materials, today's implants are most commonly silicone-based breast implants, which are designed to mimic the natural look and feel of the breast.
Silicone implants are balloon-like medical devices and are selected according to the individual's anatomy and aesthetic goals. They may be:
- Round implants (often preferred for upper pole fullness), or
- Anatomical / teardrop-shaped implants (often chosen for a more natural slope)
Implants may differ in their internal gel type and outer surface characteristics. However, they share one key feature: the outer shell is predominantly silicone (over 90%), while the inner material may vary depending on the implant type.
Many implants have a textured (rough) surface to help improve tissue integration and reduce implant movement. Today, the most widely used implant design consists of a silicone outer shell filled with a gel material-most commonly silicone gel, though other materials exist depending on the product and preference.
Types of Implant Fill Materials and Safety Considerations
Although the most common implant type is silicone gel-filled, the inner portion of silicone-shell implants may also be made with different gel forms or solutions, including:
- Silicone gel
- Polyurethane gel
- Saline-filled implants (sterile saltwater solution)
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP / povidone)
- Soybean oil-based fill material (rare / largely outdated)
Some of these materials have fallen out of routine use over time, while others may still be considered depending on the patient profile and the surgeon's recommendation. Each option comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and risk-benefit profile. The most suitable implant type should always be selected through a detailed evaluation and shared decision-making process between the patient and the surgeon-aiming for the safest and most complication-free outcome.
Silicone gel implants are produced in a wide range of shapes and sizes and are available as ready-to-use medical devices. In the United States, silicone gel-filled breast implants received approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in November 2006.
Surgical Procedure
The main goal of mastopexy (breast lift surgery) is to remove the excess, loosened skin around the breast tissue and reshape the breast into a firmer, more youthful contour. During the operation, the nipple-areola complex is also repositioned to a more natural and aesthetically balanced level.
The surgical plan is individualized based on the patient's anatomy and the degree of breast sagging (ptosis). Therefore, the incision pattern may vary:
- In some cases, the incision is made only around the areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple).
- In other cases, a short vertical incision is added-usually extending approximately 5 cm below the areola toward the lower breast fold.
- Although some patients achieve their desired result with a breast lift alone, others may require additional volume restoration. In such situations, breast lift with silicone implants (mastopexy with augmentation) can be performed to achieve both lifting and improved fullness in a single treatment plan.
Post-Operative Period
- After breast lift surgery (mastopexy), patients typically experience mild to moderate discomfort that responds well to standard pain medication. Severe pain is not common, and most patients describe the post-operative pain as manageable.
- If a silicone breast implant is placed during the same procedure (breast lift with augmentation), it is normal to have temporary limitation of arm movement for a few days-similar to what can be observed after breast reduction surgery. This restriction improves gradually as the early healing phase progresses.
- Due to the repositioning of the nipple-areola complex, temporary changes such as nipple numbness (reduced sensation) and mild bruising may occur. These effects are usually temporary and resolve over time as the tissues recover.
- A specialized dressing is applied to the breasts after surgery. Approximately one week later, both the dressing and the stitches are typically removed during the follow-up appointment.
- To support healing and maintain the new breast shape, patients are generally advised to wear a sports bra / surgical support bra for about 6 weeks (around 1.5 months). Recovery is usually quick, and most patients can return to daily activities within a short time. In many cases, patients are able to return to work within 3-4 days, depending on the nature of their job.
- Although minimal changes may occur over the years due to factors such as sudden weight changes, pregnancy, or natural aging, breast lift results can remain satisfying for many years, especially when post-operative care instructions are followed.
In Summary
A mastopexy (breast lift surgery) may be necessary due to time-related changes between the breast tissue and the surrounding skin envelope. This mismatch occurs when the breast skin becomes looser and larger than the underlying breast tissue, leading to breast sagging (ptosis). The most common causes include age-related loss of skin elasticity due to decreased connective tissue support, gravity-related skin laxity over time, significant or rapid weight gain and weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding-related changes, certain skin and soft-tissue conditions, and some genetic factors.
As the skin becomes more relaxed, the existing breast tissue may appear insufficient for the enlarged skin envelope. This can cause visible drooping, wrinkling, loss of breast contour, and even downward displacement of the nipple, which may lead to aesthetic concerns and reduced self-confidence. In some patients, breast sagging can be corrected by removing the excess skin, lifting the breast, and repositioning the nipple to its natural anatomical location. In other cases-especially when breast volume is considered inadequate-breast implants (silicone implants) may be used at the same time to restore fullness along with lifting.
Silicone Breast Implants: Key Information
Silicone breast implants are medical devices designed to resemble the natural breast shape. They typically have a textured outer surface for improved tissue compatibility and may contain silicone-based materials. As explained above, implants are produced in multiple types to meet different anatomical needs and aesthetic expectations.
Choosing the appropriate implant is not only about the type, but also the correct size and dimensions, which should be carefully evaluated together with the surgeon. This planning is essential to avoid unexpected outcomes and to ensure the post-operative result meets the patient's expectations.
Goal of Breast Lift Surgery and Incision Options
The primary goal of breast lift surgery is to remove excess skin around the breast tissue and to reposition the nipple-areola complex to the ideal location. In order to keep the scar as discreet as possible, the incision is often made around the darker circular area called the areola. Depending on the degree of sagging and the individual anatomy, an additional incision may be required. In such cases, an incision line may begin at the lower edge of the areola and extend downward toward the lower breast fold, typically around 5 cm in length.
If the surgeon determines that breast volume is insufficient-or if the patient wishes to improve fullness-silicone implants can be placed during the same operation. After implant placement (when indicated), the remaining stages of the breast lift surgery are performed and the procedure is completed.
Recovery After Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
After surgery, discomfort may occur, but it is usually not severe and most patients respond well to pain medication. If implants were placed at the same time, temporary arm movement limitation may also be experienced in the early recovery period. Since the nipple position is changed during mastopexy, temporary bruising and temporary changes in sensation (numbness) around the nipple and areola may occur. These effects are generally temporary and improve with healing.
A special breast dressing is applied for approximately one week and is removed along with stitches at the follow-up visit. Healing after breast lift surgery is typically fast. Many patients can return to work and social life in approximately 3-4 days, depending on their physical activity requirements. Patients are usually advised to wear a supportive sports bra / surgical bra for about 6 weeks (around 1.5 months) after the operation.
How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?
Breast lift results are expected to remain satisfactory for many years without major changes. However, minimal changes may occur in the future due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, sudden weight fluctuations, or certain conditions that affect the skin, fat tissue, or connective tissue.
Technical Overview of Breast Implants
In technical terms, breast implants are balloon-like structures designed to resemble the breast form. Depending on the patient's body structure and aesthetic goals, implants may be anatomical (teardrop-shaped) or round, and the materials used for their inner and outer components may vary.
A common feature of most implants is that the outer shell contains silicone material (in more than 90% of cases), while the inner fill can differ depending on the product. Many implants have a textured surface to provide better tissue adaptation. Today, the most commonly used implants consist of a silicone outer shell filled with gel-typically silicone gel, or in some cases polyurethane-based gel.
In addition, silicone-shell implants may also be manufactured with different inner fill types such as silicone gel, polyurethane gel, saline (sterile saltwater solution), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP / povidone), or soybean oil-based materials. Some of these options have become less common over time, while others may still be selected based on shared decision-making between the surgeon and the patient.
Each implant type has its own benefit-risk profile, including advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, selecting the safest and most suitable option should always be done through careful medical evaluation and consultation.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants are produced in a wide range of shapes and sizes as ready-to-use medical devices. In the United States, silicone gel breast implants received approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in November 2006.
Contact
To learn more about breast lift surgery (mastopexy) and to request information about breast lift pricing, you can contact our clinic for a consultation.
Tekirdağ's location near Istanbul also makes it a convenient destination for international patients searching for "breast lift in Turkey", "mastopexy near Istanbul", or "aesthetic surgery in Turkey."
