Will a breast lift affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?

In most cases, breast lift surgery does not affect your ability to breastfeed, especially when the nipple and milk ducts are kept intact during the procedure. That said, some risk to breastfeeding function exists depending on the technique used. If future breastfeeding is important to you, share that with Dr. Ellis during your consultation so he can plan your procedure accordingly.

Can I combine a breast lift with other cosmetic procedures?

Yes — many patients choose to combine a breast lift with procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, tummy tuck, or liposuction. This is especially common with a mommy makeover. Combining procedures can save time and shorten overall recovery. Dr. Ellis will help you determine the safest, most effective combination for your goals.

What is the best age for a breast lift?

There’s no “perfect” age for a breast lift, but most patients consider it in their 30s to 50s, after changes from pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations. As long as you’re in good health and have realistic expectations, you may be a candidate at any age. Dr. Ellis tailors every plan to your personal goals and anatomy rather than your age.

What’s the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?

Both procedures reshape and elevate the breasts, but the key difference is that breast reduction removes a significant amount of tissue to decrease size, while a breast lift repositions and reshapes existing tissue. Women with overly large, heavy breasts that cause discomfort may be better suited for a reduction, while those seeking a perkier, more youthful contour at their current size typically choose a lift.

How do pregnancy and weight changes affect breast lift results?

Significant weight gain or loss — and future pregnancies — can stretch the skin and alter your breast lift results. For this reason, many women wait until they’ve completed their families and reached a stable weight before having surgery. Maintaining a consistent weight and healthy lifestyle afterward helps extend the longevity of your results. A breast lift can be repeated if needed, but it’s typically best to wait until you know your results will last.

Breast Lift Chicago - Mastopexy Chicago

Over time, a woman’s breast position and shape can change as the tissue and skin lose elasticity. Pregnancy, nursing, fluctuations in weight, and genetics can accelerate sagging and leave the breasts looking flat, shapeless, and/or droopy. Breast lift is designed to restore a youthful position to the breasts for a beautifully refreshed silhouette.

Breast lift elevates the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissue. It also lifts nipples that have fallen below the breast crease, repositioning them higher on the breast. The procedure can correct downward-pointing nipples and reduce oversized areolas as well.

Although breast lift improves the position of the breasts, it will not change their size. If you’d like perkier, fuller breasts, Dr. Ellis may recommend adding implants to enhance shape and volume. If you’d prefer perkier, smaller breasts, he may suggest removing a small amount of excess tissue and skin.

Candidates for Breast Lift

Women who have been pregnant, reached menopause, or lost a significant amount of weight are most likely to consider a breast lift, since these are common factors behind breast drooping (also called ptosis). That said, if you’re unhappy with the position of your breasts at any point, breast lift can help refresh your look.

Ideal candidates are non-smokers in good health who have realistic expectations about what breast lift can achieve.

Procedure Details

Breast lift is usually performed on an outpatient basis with local or general anesthesia, so you can return home the same day to recover comfortably.

There are several approaches to breast lift surgery. The right one for you will depend on the degree of sagging and how much of a lift is desired.

The periareolar incision is made around the edge of the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). The “lollipop” pattern encircles the areola and extends vertically down to the breast crease. The “anchor” pattern encircles the areola and extends down to and along the breast crease. While some scarring along the incision lines is expected, most women feel it’s a worthwhile trade for a beautifully improved breast contour.

Through the incision, excess skin and tissue are removed, and the remaining tissue is reshaped for a higher, firmer contour. The nipple and areola are repositioned on the breast, and the areola can be reduced in size if desired. Internal sutures support the breasts’ refreshed shape.

Breast Lift Recovery

Prioritize rest and relaxation in the first days after surgery. Most patients take about 10 to 14 days off from work before feeling ready to return. At all times except when showering, wear the compression garment Dr. Ellis provides to support healing. Bruising and swelling may linger for several weeks, and any lingering discomfort can be managed with pain medication.

Avoid strenuous activity like aerobic exercise for at least six weeks to protect your healing breasts. Light walks are encouraged, as gentle movement keeps blood circulating and helps reduce swelling. At your follow-up appointments, Dr. Ellis will let you know when you can resume full activity.

As with any cosmetic surgery, some scarring is expected. Dr. Ellis carefully places incisions along the body’s natural lines and creases (such as under the breast fold and around the areola) where scars are more easily concealed. His refined, deliberate technique also helps scars fade significantly over time.

Long-Lasting Breast Lift Results

Breast lift refreshes the position of the breasts, but it can’t stop the natural aging process. Over time, the skin will gradually lose elasticity and some sagging may return. The good news: when performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Ellis, results can last well over a decade. If you choose, mastopexy can be repeated in the future to maintain your look.

To make the most of your results, aim to maintain a steady weight. If you plan to become pregnant, it’s usually best to postpone your breast lift until afterward so that the skin doesn’t stretch again.

Breast Lift Costs

Because breast lift is an elective, cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most insurance plans. The exact cost depends on the extent of correction needed — Dr. Ellis can provide a complete quote during your consultation. Financing options are available to help make surgery more accessible.

Complementary Procedures

Woman in striped swimsuit looks youthful with lifted breasts.

Although it’s not necessary, many patients choose to pair breast lift with breast augmentation to achieve their ideal look. A breast lift focuses on elevating and reshaping the breasts; to add fullness or volume, breast implants are used. Combining the two procedures in one surgery can save time and money while helping Dr. Ellis create the most cohesive result.

Breast lift is also a popular part of many mommy makeover plans. Since pregnancy often contributes to breast sagging, many women combine breast lift with body contouring procedures like tummy tuck and liposuction to refresh and tone their figure after having children.

Breast Lift Surgery FAQs

Choosing between a breast lift, breast augmentation, or a combination of both depends on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. A breast lift (mastopexy) is best suited for women with sagging breasts or downward-pointing nipples who are happy with their current size. Breast augmentation is ideal for women who want to add volume or improve shape without addressing sagging. If you have both sagging and volume loss — a common concern after pregnancy or weight loss — you may benefit from combining the two. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Marco Ellis can help you decide which approach is right for you.

Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation

For more information about breast lift, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellis. You can reach our office by calling (312) 695-6022 or sending us a message today.

Breast Lift in Chicago