BREAST LIFT

A breast lift is suited to many women whose breasts have changed shape or position over time, but it is not right for everyone. The points below are a general guide. Only a consultation and examination with Dr George can confirm whether surgery is appropriate for you.

Who is generally suitable for a breast lift?

You may be a suitable candidate if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older
• Have breasts that have lost shape or position, with nipples at or below the breast crease
• Are in good general health and at a stable weight you expect to maintain
• Have finished having children, or are prepared to accept that future pregnancy may change your result
• Are a non-smoker, or are willing to stop smoking and vaping for the period Dr George advises before and after surgery
• Understand that a breast lift involves permanent scars
• Have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot achieve
• Are seeking surgery for your own reasons
• Have a referral from your GP

Who may not be suitable?

Dr George may advise against surgery, or recommend delaying it, if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy in the near future
• Are still losing weight or expect significant weight change
• Smoke or vape and are unable to stop, as this greatly increases the risk of wound healing and nipple complications
• Have an active infection, poorly controlled diabetes or another medical condition that increases surgical risk
• Have a personal or family history of breast disease that needs further investigation first
• Have concerns about body image identified during pre-surgical screening. In these cases Dr George may recommend speaking with your GP or a psychologist before any decision is made

Should I wait until I have finished having children?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding commonly stretch the breast skin and change breast volume, which can undo some of the improvement from a breast lift. Many women therefore choose to have surgery once they have finished having children. If you are planning a future pregnancy, discuss the timing with Dr George at consultation.

What if I have lost a lot of weight?

Patients who have had significant weight loss, including after bariatric surgery, often have more skin laxity and volume loss. Your weight should be stable for a period before surgery, as advised by Dr George. A more extensive lift, or a lift combined with implants, may be recommended.

As a general guide, a lift alone may suit you if you are happy with your breast volume but not its position. Implants alone may suit mild sagging where volume loss is the main concern. A lift combined with implants may suit you if you want both a higher position and more upper fullness. Dr George will examine your breasts and explain which option is most likely to meet your goals safely.

Bring your GP referral, a list of current medications and supplements, any previous breast imaging and details of any previous breast surgery. Think about what concerns you most, whether that is position, shape, volume or symmetry, as this helps Dr George recommend the right approach.

How Is the Treatment Performed?

A breast lift is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited facility. The information below is a general guide. Your own surgical plan, including technique and incision pattern, will be confirmed with Dr George.

Where is the surgery performed?

Surgery is performed in a licensed and accredited surgical facility with a specialist anaesthetist present throughout. Many patients go home the same day, while an overnight stay may be recommended, particularly when a lift is combined with implants.

What happens on the day of surgery?

You will be admitted, reviewed by the anaesthetist and seen by Dr George, who confirms your plan and completes surgical markings with you standing. A breast lift typically takes two to three hours, and a combined lift with implants may take longer. Afterwards you are monitored in recovery until you are ready to go home or be transferred to the ward.

Incision patterns and techniques-

The technique depends on how much the breast needs to be lifted and how much excess skin needs to be removed. The main approaches are:

• Crescent lift: a small incision along the upper edge of the areola. Suitable only for very minor lifting, usually alongside implants.
• Periareolar (donut) lift: an incision around the areola. Suitable for mild sagging and for reducing enlarged areolae.
• Vertical (lollipop) lift: an incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. Suitable for moderate sagging and allows reshaping of the breast tissue.
• Inverted-T (anchor) lift: an incision around the areola, vertically down to the crease and along the crease. Suitable for more severe sagging or where a larger amount of skin needs to be removed.

Every technique leaves permanent scars that fade over time. Dr George will show you where your scars are likely to sit and how they are expected to mature.

What happens during the procedure?

Dr George reshapes and supports the underlying breast tissue to create a higher, more rounded breast, removes excess stretched skin, and repositions the nipple and areola to a higher position while keeping them attached to their blood and nerve supply wherever possible. The areola can be reduced in size if needed. The incisions are closed in layers with dissolving sutures.

Breast lift combined with implants:

When a lift is combined with implants, the implant is placed first, either beneath the chest muscle or beneath the breast tissue, and the breast is then lifted and tailored around it. Combining the two procedures is technically more complex than either alone and carries some additional risks. In some patients Dr George may recommend performing the lift and augmentation as two separate operations to achieve a more predictable result. All implants used are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

Will I have drains or dressings?

Drains are not always required and are decided case by case. You will go home with dressings in place and a post-operative support bra, which Renee will have fitted for you before surgery.

Following Dr George's instructions before and after surgery is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of complications and support healing. You will receive written instructions specific to you, and Renee is your first point of contact for any questions during your recovery.

Before surgery-

• Stop smoking, vaping and all nicotine products for the period Dr George advises, as nicotine restricts blood flow to the skin and nipple and increases the risk of healing problems
• Tell Dr George about all medications, supplements and herbal products you take. Some may need to be paused, but only on medical advice
• Maintain a stable weight in the lead-up to surgery
• Avoid alcohol in the days leading up to surgery
• Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours
• Prepare your home with easy meals, loose front-opening tops and your prescribed medications
• Complete any requested blood tests or imaging before your surgery date
• Follow the fasting instructions provided by the facility

The first week after surgery-

• Expect swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort, managed with prescribed pain relief
• Wear your support bra day and night as directed
• Keep dressings clean and dry until your first review
• Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated
• Avoid lifting, pushing, pulling or raising your arms above shoulder height
• Walk gently several times a day to support circulation
• Do not drive until you are off prescription pain medication and can move comfortably

Wound and garment care-

Keep your incisions clean and dry as instructed, and do not soak in baths, pools or spas until Dr George confirms they have healed. The point where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet is the area most prone to delayed healing, so report any wound opening, increasing redness or discharge promptly. Your support bra is usually worn for around six weeks, and underwire bras are avoided until Dr George advises otherwise.

Returning to work and exercise-

Most patients return to desk-based work within one to two weeks. Physically demanding roles may need more time off. Light walking is encouraged from the first days, while upper-body exercise, running and high-impact activity are usually avoided for around six weeks, or as advised by Dr George. Recovery times vary between individuals.

When will I see the final result?

Swelling settles gradually over the first few months. Breast shape continues to soften and settle for six to twelve months after surgery, and scars can take up to two years to fully mature.

Scar care-

Once incisions have healed, Dr George may recommend silicone-based scar therapy and strict sun protection for at least twelve months. The final appearance of scars depends on your skin type, genetics and healing.

Follow-up appointments-

Your aftercare is coordinated by Renee and includes dressing and wound reviews, garment checks and reviews with Dr George at the intervals set out in your care plan. Please attend every scheduled appointment even if you feel well.

Long-term considerations-

Your breasts will continue to be affected by ageing, gravity, pregnancy and weight change, and some return of sagging over time is expected. Continue routine breast screening as recommended for your age and let your screening provider know you have had breast surgery. If implants were used, ongoing implant monitoring is also recommended.

When to contact us-

Contact the practice immediately, or attend your nearest emergency department, if you experience:

• Increasing pain, swelling or firmness in one breast
• Fever or chills
• Discharge, bleeding or opening of a wound
• Darkening or colour change of the nipple or surrounding skin
• Chest pain, shortness of breath or calf pain or swelling

 The cost of a breast lift depends on the technique required, the length of surgery, whether implants are included, facility and anaesthetic requirements, and whether a Medicare item number applies. A personalised, itemised written quote is provided after your consultations with Dr George.

What is included in the quote?

Your quote will itemise:

• Dr George's surgical fee
• Anaesthetist fee
• Hospital or facility fee, including any overnight stay
• Implant cost, if a lift is combined with augmentation
• Post-operative support garment
• Scheduled post-operative care with Renee and reviews with Dr George

Anything not included, such as pre-operative imaging, pathology or prescribed medications, will be clearly identified so there are no surprises.

What are the consultation fees?

Consultation fees apply to consultations with Dr George and is $300 either online via telehealth or in person. Consultations with Renee are complimentary to support you throughout your journey.

Is a breast lift covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

A breast lift performed for cosmetic reasons is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. In limited circumstances, for example significant sagging following pregnancy or massive weight loss, or where surgery is required to correct significant asymmetry, a Medicare item number may apply if the criteria set out in the Medicare Benefits Schedule are met. Dr George will advise whether your circumstances are likely to meet these criteria. Where an item number applies and you hold appropriate hospital cover, your health fund may contribute toward some costs, and Renee can provide the relevant item numbers so you can check with your fund. Out-of-pocket costs still apply. A lift combined with implants for cosmetic reasons does not attract a rebate for the implant component.

Payment and cooling-off

Payment terms and financial terms and conditions are set out in your quote. A minimum seven-day cooling-off period applies after your consultation, and no deposit is requested until this has passed. No discounts, time-limited offers or inducements are provided for cosmetic surgery.

Revision and future surgery:

Minor revisions, such as scar refinement, are occasionally required. Because breasts continue to change over time, some patients choose further surgery in later years. If implants are used, they are not lifetime devices and may need replacement or removal in the future. Any further surgery is quoted separately following a review with Dr George.