Pittwater Life September 2020 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Various procedures to
lift or correct breasts
Breasts may become ptotic
(abnormal drooping) for
many reasons, including
age, through the gain of
weight, loss of weight and after
pregnancy or breastfeeding.
There are many procedures
to correct or lift breasts. The
procedure depends on the
underlying breast size. In
breasts of appropriate size,
the breasts can simply be
lifted. In smaller breasts the
lift may be combined with an
implant to increase the size.
In larger breasts, the lift can
be combined with a reduction.
And smaller breasts with only
a slight droop can be corrected
by implants only.
The position of the nipple is
estimated by three parameters:
the position of the infra
mammary fold (where the chest
meets the chest wall) projected
forwards; a set distance
from the base of the neck or
midpoint of the collar bone; and
approximately the midpoint of
the arm bone or humerus. Once
this position is set, then the
nipple is lifted to this point.
A common misconception is
that the nipples are removed
and then replaced – but this is
only very rarely done. In most
cases the nipples are left on a
pedicle of tissue and moved.
This pedicle contains the blood
vessels to keep the nipple and
breast viable along with the
nerves to keep the nipple with
sensation.
With a lift-only procedure,
some skin is removed and
the remaining breast tissue is
arranged to recreate a breast
cone. With a reduction and a
lift, both skin and breast tissue
is removed, the remaining
breast tissue again is moved to
create a cone shape before the
skin is stitched.
The amount of lift and
procedure determines the
amount of scarring that is left.
Most techniques try to minimise
the amount of scarring. In
general, there is scarring
around the areolar. This may
extend down as a ‘lollipop’ scar
or may also extend horizontally
in the chest/breast crease as
an ‘anchor’ scar. Scar quality
is variable. (These will be
carefully explained before
your procedure.) In general,
the more complicated the
procedure, the more scarring.
Surgery is generally
with Dr John Kippen
performed with a combination
of local and general
anaesthesia. At most an
overnight stay may be required.
Drains or plastic/silicone tubes
are rarely used to remove any
ooze or blood.
The pre-operative course,
intra-operative course, hospital
stay and recovery will be
carefully discussed with you.
A full understanding of the
procedure is important. A
return to work and subsequent
exercise will also be outlined.
Breast lift surgery is
well tolerated, with very
favourable results. It often
allows increased activity and
a reduction in skin crease
irritation or infections.
A full and detailed
description will be given at
the time of your consultation.
A thorough examination and
assessment will determine the
best procedure for you. Careful
measurements and clinical
photographs aid this planning.
Our columnist Dr John
Kippen is a qualified, fully
certified consultant specialist
in Cosmetic, Plastic and
Reconstructive surgery.
Australian trained, he also
has additional Australian and
International Fellowships.
He welcomes enquiries; email
doctor@johnkippen.com.au
58 SEPTEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991