Breast lift (mastopexy): everything you need to know about breast reshaping

KEIT Day Hospital has 3 operating theatres, 2 inpatient wards with 10 rooms and 20 beds, an in-house laboratory, and a postoperative resuscitation room, allowing the entire surgical process to be managed within the same facility.
The operating theatres are equipped with ventilation systems featuring HEPA filters, laminar airflow above the operating table, and positive air pressure. These technologies help control air quality and reduce the risk of contamination in the surgical environment. The facilities also include electric operating tables, Surgiris LED surgical lighting systems, Karl Storz surgical instruments, and modern equipment for monitoring patients' vital signs.
The inpatient rooms are also designed to support patient safety and care during recovery. In addition to centralised oxygen and medical suction systems, they feature three alarm systems: a bedside device, a portable wrist-worn device, and smart sensors integrated into the bed and room environment. These systems alert healthcare staff when a patient requires assistance or when a situation requiring assessment is detected.

KEIT works with an international team of approximately 30 surgeons, including 27 Italian surgeons, specialising in plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. A distinctive feature of the clinic's organisation is that surgeons are selected according to their specialisation and experience in the specific procedure. For particularly complex operations, teams of two or more surgeons may be assembled.
For mastopexy, the surgeon assesses the degree of breast ptosis, the amount and distribution of glandular and fatty tissue, skin elasticity, the position of the nipple-areola complex, and any asymmetry. These factors help develop a personalised surgical plan and determine whether a breast lift without implants, a breast lift with implants, or a procedure involving the replacement of existing implants is more appropriate. The aim is to lift and reshape the breasts, improving their shape, projection, and proportions while respecting the patient's anatomical characteristics and realistic expectations.
KEIT Day Hospital surgeons regularly attend international congresses, training courses, and conferences to update their skills and keep abreast of scientific developments and surgical techniques within their respective specialities.

At KEIT Day Hospital, preparation for mastopexy involves a structured medical assessment process. According to the clinic's protocol, every patient undergoes at least two consultations with the surgeon, an anaesthetic assessment, a cardiology consultation, blood and urine tests, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). These evaluations are coordinated within the facility, which has an in-house laboratory for preoperative testing.
These assessments help evaluate the patient's general health, identify potential risk factors, and determine their suitability for surgery and anaesthesia. For mastopexy, particular attention is paid to breast tissue health, any previous breast surgery, the presence of implants, and factors that may affect healing, such as smoking, certain chronic medical conditions, or significant weight fluctuations. Depending on the patient's age, medical history, and examination findings, additional tests, such as a breast ultrasound or mammogram, may be recommended before proceeding with surgery.
This approach allows mastopexy to be planned by considering not only aesthetic goals but also the condition of the breast tissues, the patient's individual clinical characteristics, and safety.

KEIT Day Hospital follows infection control protocols developed in collaboration with infectious disease and microbiology specialists, involving systematic checks of the surgical environment and sterilisation processes. Air filtration systems undergo regular maintenance and replacement, while operating theatres are cleaned and disinfected after every procedure.
During surgery, single-use sterile kits and fluid-resistant materials are used to help maintain a sterile surgical field. Disposable materials have identification labels containing information about their manufacture, expiry dates, and traceability, which is recorded in the patient's medical documentation.
Surgical instruments are cleaned and sterilised after each use, following procedures documented through records generated by the equipment used. This system allows sterilisation processes to be verified and traced. The clinic also conducts regular microbiological testing of its facilities and follows antibiotic prophylaxis protocols when indicated by medical assessment.
Together, these measures, from the management of sterile materials to sterilisation traceability and microbiological monitoring, form a fundamental part of KEIT Day Hospital's procedures for reducing the risk of surgical infections.

At KEIT Day Hospital, surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia are performed, according to the clinic's protocol, using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia), a technique based on the intravenous administration of anaesthetic medications. Depending on the patient's characteristics and the anaesthetic protocol used, this technique may support recovery from anaesthesia and help reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting. Mastopexy is generally performed under general anaesthesia, with an anaesthetic plan tailored to the surgical technique and any breast implant insertion or replacement.
During surgery, the anaesthetic team continuously monitors the patient's vital signs using General Electric equipment installed in all three operating theatres. The facility also has centralised systems for oxygen, compressed air, and medical suction, as well as difficult airway management devices, cardiac defibrillators, emergency medications, and backup power supplies for electricity and medical gases.
To manage potential emergencies, KEIT Day Hospital has a postoperative resuscitation room equipped with a ventilator, multiparameter monitors, a defibrillator, intravenous infusion pumps, and other life-support equipment. According to the clinic's reported records, this room has not yet been used to treat major complications, but it remains fully equipped and ready for use in the event of unforeseen situations.

At KEIT Day Hospital, patient care continues after the surgical procedure has been completed. Patients generally spend one night in the hospital, where they are monitored and cared for by healthcare staff. In particular circumstances, the hospital stay may be extended according to clinical needs.
After discharge, each patient is supported by four professionals: a coordinator, a nurse responsible for wound dressings, a doctor, and the operating surgeon. Follow-up appointments are generally scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, allowing the medical team to monitor healing, identify potential problems, and assess how the surgical result develops.
For mastopexy, follow-up care includes assessing surgical incisions, swelling, breast and nipple-areola complex sensation, and breast tissue healing. The surgeon also monitors scar development, symmetry, breast position, and how any implants settle into place. Guidance is provided on wearing a postoperative support bra and gradually returning to daily activities and physical exercise. For international patients, care may continue after they return to their home country through communication with the medical team and follow-up appointments scheduled according to individual needs.
KEIT Day Hospital also provides patients with a 24-hour emergency contact number, available seven days a week, to request assistance if needed after surgery.

One of the defining features of KEIT Day Hospital's services is its emphasis on transparency and documentation throughout the surgical process. A complete medical record is prepared for every procedure, documenting preoperative assessments, the operation performed, the surgical techniques used, and information about postoperative recovery.
The clinic also uses photographs taken before and after surgery to monitor the development of the surgical result, in accordance with personal data protection requirements and medical confidentiality. Every patient receives a service contract, a tax invoice, and an informed consent form, which is sent before surgery so they have sufficient time to review information about the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives.
KEIT Day Hospital also provides an Official Guarantee Certificate, which defines the clinic's responsibilities and the conditions under which expenses are covered in the event of complications during or after surgery, as specified in the document. The specific guarantee conditions are communicated to the patient before the operation, allowing them to understand the terms and limits of the coverage in advance.