Over time, a woman’s breast position and perkiness can deteriorate as the tissue and skin loses its elasticity. Pregnancy, nursing, fluctuations in weight, and genetics can accelerate the sagging and leave the breasts looking flat, shapeless and/or droopy. Breast lift is designed to give the breasts a youthful position for an overall more attractive profile.
What Does Breast Lift Achieve?
Breast lift elevates the breasts on the chest wall by removing excess skin and tightening the tissue. Breast lift elevates nipples that fall below the breast crease, relocating them higher on the breast mound. The procedure can also correct downward-pointing nipples and reduce oversized areolas.
Although breast lift improves the position of breasts, it will not change their size. If you desire perkier, larger breasts, Dr. Ellis may recommend adding implants to your surgery to add shape and fullness. If you desire perkier, smaller breasts, Dr. Ellis may recommend removing excess breast tissue and skin.
Candidates for Breast Lift
Women who have been pregnant, reached menopause, or have lost a significant amount of weight are most likely to seek breast lift since those are factors associated with breast ptosis (drooping). However, if at any point you are displeased with the elevation of your breasts, you can make improvements with breast lift.
Ideal candidates for elective surgery should be non-smokers who are in good health and have realistic expectations about what breast lift can accomplish.
Procedure Details
Breast lift is usually performed on an outpatient basis with local or general anesthesia. You can return home after your procedure to recover comfortably.
There are several different approaches to breast lift surgery. The approach that is right for you will depend on the degree of sagging and how much of a lift is required.
The periareolar incision is created around the circumference of the areola, or the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. The “lollipop” incision pattern encircles the areola and extends vertically down to the breast crease. The “anchor” incision pattern encircles the areola and extends down to the breast crease and horizontally along the crease. Although scarring along the incision lines is unlikely to completely fade, most women are happy to trade some scars for an improved breast contour.
Through the incision, excess skin and tissue are removed and the remaining tissue and skin are tightened to produce a higher and firmer breast contour. The nipple and areola are elevated on the breast and the areola can be reduced in size if needed. Sutures are layered within the breast tissue to support the breasts’ new shape.
Breast Lift Recovery
Prioritize rest and relaxation in the initial days after your surgery. You will probably need to take 10 to 14 days off from work before you feel well enough to return. At all times except when showering, wear the compression garment that Dr. Ellis has provided to accelerate healing. You can expect bruising and swelling to linger for multiple weeks. Any lingering discomfort can be managed with pain medication.
Avoid strenuous activity like aerobic exercise for at least six weeks to avoid jostling your healing breasts. Walks are encouraged, however, as it helps to get your blood circulating, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. During your follow-up appointments, Dr. Ellis will inform you when you can resume full activity.
As is true of any type of plastic surgery, some scarring is expected. Dr. Ellis is careful to place his incisions along the natural lines and creases of the body (such as under the breast fold and around the areola) where scarring is more easily concealed. He is also delicate and deliberate with his incisions so that these scars will fade significantly over time.
Long-Lasting Breast Lift Results
Breast lift rejuvenates the position of the breasts, but it cannot stop the aging process altogether. Eventually, the skin surrounding your breasts will lose elasticity, allowing your breasts to start sagging again. The good news is that when breast lift is performed by an expert surgeon like Dr. Ellis, the results can last for over a decade. If you choose, mastopexy can be repeated in the future to maintain the results.
To maximize your breast lift results, maintain a steady weight. If you intend to become pregnant in the future, it usually makes sense to postpone your breast lift until after so that your breast skin does not 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 sagging that Dr. Ellis needs to correct — he can provide a complete quote during a consultation. Financing options are available to help make surgery more affordable.
Complementary Procedures
Although it is not necessary, many patients choose to combine breast lift with breast augmentation to achieve their preferred appearance. With breast lift, the focus is on elevating your breasts. To increase the volume of your breasts, you will need to use breast implants. Performing these surgeries at the same time can help to save money and time, and it allows Dr. Ellis to best achieve your preferred physique.
Breast lift is also a popular component of many mommy makeover plastic surgery plans. Since breast sagging is exaggerated by pregnancy, you may decide to have breast lift along with body contouring procedures like tummy tuck and liposuction to rejuvenate and tone your body after having children.
Breast Lift Surgery FAQs
How do I know if I need a breast lift or breast augmentation?
Determining whether you need 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 breast size. Breast augmentation is ideal for women who want to increase breast volume or improve shape without addressing sagging. If you have both sagging and volume loss —a common situation after pregnancy or weight loss — you may benefit from combining the two procedures. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Marco Ellis can help clarify which approach is right for you.
Will a breast lift affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?
In most cases, breast lift surgery does not compromise the ability to breastfeed, especially if the nipple and milk ducts are left intact during the procedure. However, there is always some risk that breastfeeding function may be affected depending on the technique used. If future breastfeeding is a concern, it’s important to discuss this with Dr. Ellis during your consultation so he can take it into account when planning your procedure.
Can I combine a breast lift with other cosmetic procedures?
Yes, many patients choose to combine a breast lift with other procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, tummy tuck, or liposuction. This is especially common in comprehensive treatment plans like a mommy makeover. Combining procedures can save time and reduce overall recovery periods. Dr. Ellis will help you determine the safest and most effective combination based on your anatomy and goals.
What is the best age for a breast lift?
There is no “perfect” age for a breast lift, but most patients consider the procedure in their 30s to 50s, after experiencing changes due to pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations. As long as you are in good health and have realistic expectations, you may be a candidate regardless of your age. Dr. Ellis tailors every treatment plan based on physical need and personal goals instead of age.
What’s the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?
While both procedures reshape and elevate the breasts, the primary difference is that breast reduction removes a significant amount of breast tissue to decrease size, while a breast lift simply 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 without reducing 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 the results of a breast lift. For this reason, many women wait until they’ve completed their families and reached a stable weight before undergoing surgery. Maintaining a consistent weight and healthy lifestyle post-surgery helps extend the longevity of your results. While you have the option to repeat a breast lift if results are significantly altered, it makes more sense to wait until you know your results will last long term.
Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation
For more information about the breast lift procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellis. You can reach our office by calling (312) 695-6022 or sending us an email today.