Breast uplift (mastopexy) at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

The ageing process, pregnancy, breastfeeding and even weight loss can all conspire to make our breasts lose their firmness and full, rounded shape. For some women this can affect their self-esteem.

A breast uplift, or mastopexy, is a procedure that can improve the shape of your breasts and help you regain a younger looking physique – and get some of your confidence back.

Your breasts may have lost their shape with age, or after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Whatever the reason, a breast uplift from Spire Cosmetic Surgery could help to rejuvenate your figure and give you back younger, firmer and more shapely looking breasts.

Often a breast uplift, also known as a mastopexy, is performed at the same time as a breast enlargement or reduction to help achieve the shape and size you would like your breasts to be. If you feel that the shape of your breasts has knocked your confidence, this procedure could help you get back to living life to the fullest.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-speciality surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

Cosmetic surgery can be a life enhancing decision and we’re here to help you make the right one. Our experienced cosmetic surgeons will guide you through every step of the way.

It’s important to meet with your chosen consultant before treatment so that you are completely comfortable with them and they know what you want to achieve. It’s helpful to bring in some pictures and a friend or family member to your initial meeting to help articulate your thoughts. You should also ask to see some of the surgeon's recent before and after pictures of similar operations they've performed.

Your doctor will measure your breasts, assess their shape and the position of your nipples. He or she may also mark the position of the surgical cuts on your breasts and recommend that you have an ultrasound scan or mammogram before your operation.

This is an important decision and we're here to listen and help you achieve your goals.

If you decide to go ahead with the procedure, we'll give you at least two weeks between consultation and operation date. This is because we want you to be really happy and confident with your decision.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We understand that surgery can be a cause of anxiety. That’s why our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you every step of the way.

Breast uplift surgery usually requires an overnight stay in hospital and is usually done under general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep throughout.

The operation itself can take between two and three hours, depending on the exact type of procedure you have.

Your surgeon will make several incisions on your breasts. The exact number and position of the cuts will vary, depending on the technique used. This is something that will be discussed with you beforehand.

Your surgeon will remove skin from around your areola and/or from under your breasts. They may then re-position your nipples and may also reduce the size of your areola to suit the new shape.

Afterwards the cuts will be closed with stitches and your breasts will be wrapped in a special supportive dressing or tape.

After the procedure, you will be taken from the operating theatre to a recovery room, where you will come round from the anaesthesia under close supervision.

Pain relief

You will probably experience some pain, swelling and bruising immediately after the operation. This is normal and your symptoms will start to improve over the next few weeks.

We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.

Recovery time

When you get home you’ll need to take things easy at first. Arrange around two weeks off work and you'll gradually be able to return to normal activity within 4 to 6 weeks. Light activity will be comfortable after around two weeks but you shouldn't do anything too active - like go to the gym or go swimming - for around a month.

Your surgeon will probably recommend that you wear a firm dressing or support bra for a few weeks while you heal. This will help to stop the weight of your breasts pulling on your healing wounds.

End results

You will be left with scars from the incisions but these should ease with time and your surgeon will always try to put them in less visible places, beneath or around the side of your breasts. The extent of the scarring will also depend on your skin type, age and the efforts you make to eat healthily after the operation. Bruising, twinges and pains may continue for the first few weeks and it may take several months for your breasts to settle into shape. Changes in sensation are quite common. Different parts of the breasts, including the nipples, can become more or less sensitive than before. This is usually temporary, but can be permanent.

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive. You should also ask them if they can run some light errands for the first week or two, such as shopping and cleaning, as you may not feel up to it at first.

Looking after you

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way. After a breast uplift our consultants will typically want to see you after a week, with further follow-up appointments in the first six months to see how you are doing.

Like all medical treatments, breast uplift does carry the risk of complications but most people are unaffected. Complications specific to this operation include infection, bleeding inside the breast, wound problems and it’s possible that your breasts may not be exactly the same shape or size as each other, or that your nipples may be unevenly positioned after surgery. Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you experience any of the following symptoms – bleeding, calf pain or breathlessness, severe pain, swelling, fever and the breast being unusually hot to the touch - please call us straight away.

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, we're ready to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

You can trust Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park to provide you with a single, fixed price* so there are no surprises. And, through our carefully chosen partner you can even be considered for interest free finance.

We’re here to help you with making these important choices, so you’re then free to concentrate on your treatment and on getting back to being you.

Important: Please read Spire’s terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price* when paying for yourself.

* Zebra Finance Ltd trading as Zebra Health Finance , Lincoln House, Stephensons Way, Wyvern Business Park, Derby, DE21 6LY.

A fixed price for this treatment may be available on enquiry and following an initial consultation.

You can trust Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park to provide you with a single, fixed price (1) so there are no surprises. And, through our carefully chosen partner (2) you can even be considered for interest free finance.

We’re here to help you with making these important choices, so you’re then free to concentrate on your treatment and on getting back to being you.

(1) Important: Please read Spire’s terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price* when paying for yourself.

(2) Zebra Finance Ltd trading as Zebra Health Finance , Lincoln House, Stephensons Way, Wyvern Business Park, Derby, DE21 6LY.

Spire Murrayfield Hospital

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.