A woman holding her child

Breast lift (mastopexy)

A breast lift is designed to lift and tighten the breasts, which may have changed as a result of breastfeeding and/or weight change or just normal ageing. Those who only have flabby Breast breasts often only need a breast lift without reduction or possibly combined with the insertion of prostheses or their own fat.

Breast lifts are performed in a similar way to breast reductions, usually only removing the excess skin, moving the nipple and forming glandular tissue. The scars go around the nipple, possibly also vertically downwards. The scars are then smaller with a breast lift than with a breast reduction.

Sometimes it is necessary to insert an implant (prosthesis) during a breast lift operation when there is not enough volume in the sagging breast. This is clarified in advance during a thorough consultation where the remaining breast volume and your wishes are taken into account (see info about breast lift combined with breast prosthesis).

To achieve the best possible result and to avoid complications associated with a breast lift, it is recommended that you have as normal a weight as possible. If you smoke, you must quit at least 1 week before the operation and remain smoke-free for 2 weeks after the breast lift.

Breastfeeding ability is not normally affected by the techniques we use for breast lifts. Nipple sensation can sometimes be lost or reduced, but it often returns. We usually close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own. It may be necessary to insert a drain (tube) that removes blood and fluid from the wound area under the skin. These are usually removed after 1-2 days at the first check-up. Breast lifts do not qualify for sick leave.

Pick-up and accommodation

You must arrange in advance for someone to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the operation, as you cannot drive, take public transport or a taxi on your own. You must also have someone with you the same day and the first night.

If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in Oslo, either with family/friends or at a hotel. 

Hotels near Oslo Plastic Surgery;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.

(We have an agreement with Frogner House Apartments, please inform us when booking a room)

Before the operation

You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in any doubt about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation is not performed if you have flu with fever, cough or other infection in the body. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers if necessary and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.

The day before surgery and on the day of the operation, wash your entire body with Hibiscrub solution in the shower. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water and the skin dried with a clean towel. Put on clean clothes when you leave home. Do not use perfume and lotion. All jewelry, piercings and nail polish/fake nails must be removed no later than the day before the operation and replaced 7 to 10 days after the operation.

To get the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have a normal weight and not an excessively high BMI. If you smoke, or use nicotine such as snuff or electronic cigarettes, you must quit at least 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.

You should come to the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat any food including fruit or drink juice with pulp or dairy products 6 hours before the operation. You can drink water, juice, juice without pulp or coffee/tea without dairy products or chew gum/drops/throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the operation. Medications that you may need to take on the day of surgery can be swallowed with 1 glass of water max. 100 ml up to 1 hour before the start of anesthesia.

It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medication about 14 days before the operation, preferably in consultation with your GP or us. For other medications, consult the clinic before the operation. You should also avoid eating a lot of garlic and health food preparations.

You must arrange in advance with a person to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the end of the operation, as you cannot drive yourself, take public transport or taxi alone.

On the day of surgery

You will be received by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go through the procedure, draw up the plan and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia staff will also come and greet you and answer your questions. When the operation is about to begin, the surgical nurse will pick you up and clean the operating area while the anesthesia staff give you a sedative in your arm so you sleep under surgery. In addition, the surgeon will administer a local anesthetic in the operating area for a long-lasting analgesic effect in the operating area after the operation, which also reduces bleeding in the area.

After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and be served food and plenty of drink in the form of sandwiches, yogurt and juice (remember to inform about allergies). Painkillers may be given if necessary.

The surgeon will check on you before your return home/hotel stay and you will be cleared by anesthesia staff before you go home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. A car or taxi must be used as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transport or walking. 

After the operation

All patients come for a post-operative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a follow-up appointment will be arranged at the clinic and you should come to the clinic the day after the surgery. 

In the first few hours after the operation, you may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nauseous. It's important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it's a good idea to take a few minutes to stand up. For the first two days, you should rest and lie as still as possible, with your upper body elevated. For the next five days, you can move gently. If you have an active job, it's a good idea to stay at home. After the operation, you will be given a special bandage that will be removed after 3 days, and the tape will remain on for 2 weeks. We close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own. You should wear a sports bra for 6 weeks after the bandage is removed. After the tape is removed (after 2 weeks), you can shower the area and apply new tape. It is recommended that you tape the scars with skin-friendly tape for at least 2 months. Surgical tape such as Micropore or Steri-Strip can be purchased at the pharmacy, alternatively silicone tape.

The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up checks are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check after a year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or alternatively make an appointment with the clinic on the day of the operation.

Bleeding and infection are uncommon and in very few cases require reoperation and/or antibiotic treatment. Anesthetic complications, such as allergic reaction to anesthetics, are extremely rare.

In principle, breast lifts do not give grounds for sick leave, but if you have a physical job, we recommend that you take this into account in the first few days after surgery. 

Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for about 4 weeks. 

The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they will fade and soften. However, the scars are concealed by the bra and will not be visible in low-cut dresses. In rare cases, the scars can become wide and clearly visible, depending on the woman's own inherited skin characteristics. We therefore recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after a breast augmentation. Plaster tape is available from pharmacies. 

If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our guarantee period. 

Ask for guidance and advice

We can give you the best advice face to face. We will guide you to the best solution for you.

The doctor in charge is Dr. Amin Kalaaji, senior consultant dr.med, specialist in plastic surgery and head of the clinic at Oslo Plastikkirurgi, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.

Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and training around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques. 

Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment are always our top priorities at Oslo Plastikkirurgi. 

Questions & answers

Breast lift is suitable for those who have sagging and drooping Breast.

All patients must undergo a consultation before surgery. The consultation is conducted by our experienced plastic surgeon who will ask you questions about your medical status; previous or current illnesses, previous surgeries, use of medication and the like. An examination will then be carried out, and the surgeon will consider a possible surgery.

If you are suitable for surgery, you will receive information about the operation itself, precautions for the time before and after the procedure, and you will get answers to your questions.

For patients with long travel distances, we offer consultations via telephone and/or video consultation. We will then send you a health information form in advance, which must be completed and returned to us before the consultation. You also send us some photos.

If a surgery is required, the surgeon will carry out a thorough assessment the day before the planned operation.

You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you have any doubts about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation will not be performed if you have flu and/or fever or a cough or other infection. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.

In Norway, it is not permitted to show before and after pictures of silicone from cosmetic procedures in marketing or on the clinic's website. However, we can show great pictures from previous patients when you come for a consultation with the surgeon. This can be a great help when discussing size, and it can make it easier for you to imagine an expected result.
We can also offer a preliminary examination with a 3D imaging system. We take pictures of your body and can use image simulation to show you what an expected result will look like with different sizes and types of implants.

The scars go around the nipple and vertically downwards, so the scars are smaller with a breast lift than with a breast reduction. You do not get the so-called anchor-shaped scar. The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they fade and soften. However, the scars are hidden by a bra or swimsuit and will not be visible in low-cut dresses. In rare cases, the scars become wide and clearly visible as this depends on the patient's own inherited characteristics.

We recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after the breast lift. If scar correction will improve the conditions, this is done for up to one year after the breast lift.

You can combine a breast lift with other procedures. Sometimes it is necessary to insert prostheses during a breast lift operation when there is not enough volume in the sagging breasts, or fat grafting. This will be clarified in advance during a thorough consultation, taking into account the remaining breast volume and your wishes. 

Some pain may occur immediately after the operation, so it is important that you take painkillers as agreed. Discomfort and any pain will normally last 2-3 days after the operation.

After the operation, you will be given a special bandage that is removed after 3 days, the tape is kept on for 2 weeks. You should wear a sports bra for 6 weeks after the bandage is removed. After the tape is removed (after 2 weeks), you can shower and put on new tape. It is recommended that you tape the scars with Micropore or Steri-Strips surgical tape for 2 months.

For the first 2 days, you should rest and lie as still as possible, with your upper body elevated. For the next 5 days, you can walk carefully on your feet. Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for about 4 weeks after the breast lift.

You can get pregnant after such a procedure. Breast lifts do not affect your ability to breastfeed with the techniques we use. You will be informed of this during your consultation with our surgeon prior to the operation.

We have a one-year guarantee on the operation and if there is a medical indication for an unsatisfactory result up to one year after the procedure, a new surgery/correction can be expected free of charge. - If correction is necessary due to complications or an unsatisfactory result, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided that there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our one-year guarantee agreement.