Breast Lift: (Mastopexy) What to Know
What is Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, lifting the breasts to a higher position.
It is designed to enhance the shape and firmness of the breasts, giving them a more youthful appearance.
With a breast lift, patients can expect to achieve a more lifted, perky and youthful breast shape, which can be a major boost to their confidence and self-esteem.
Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
- Improves breast shape and contour
- Elevates sagging breasts
- Restores youthful, perky appearance
- Boosts self-confidence and body image
- Long-lasting results (if you maintain a stable weight)
The goal is to restore the breasts to a more youthful, perky appearance, improving their overall shape and contour.
Why Consider a Breast Lift?
Some of the most common reasons women choose a breast lift:
- Saggy or droopy breasts: Over time, the skin, tissue, and muscles of the breasts can weaken and cause the breasts to sag. This can be due to a variety of factors, including aging, gravity, weight loss, and pregnancy.
- Changes in breast shape and size: The breasts can change shape and size due to factors like weight gain, weight loss, and pregnancy.
- Asymmetry: Some women may have one breast that is lower or larger than the other, which can be corrected with a breast lift.
We will delve into the details of breast lift surgery, including the benefits, risks, and recovery process, to help you make an informed decision.
What to Expect from a Breast Lift
The breast lift procedure involves making incisions on the breasts to remove excess skin and tissue and to reshape the remaining tissue to lift the breasts.
Performed under general anesthesia, the procedure takes from one to three hours.
Post procedure, expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort for the first few days.
Incisions will be covered with bandages, and you will need to wear a supportive bra for several weeks to promote healing and breast support.
Pros and cons of Breast Lift Surgery
Pros
- Restores Youthful Appearance: Breast lift surgery can restore the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall, giving you a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
- Improves Areola and Nipple Appearance: The procedure can also lift the areolas and reduce the size of the nipples, if desired.
- Short Downtime: Downtime after breast lift surgery is typically just five days, which is relatively short for plastic surgery. Most patients only need over-the-counter pain medication to manage any discomfort.
- Low Complication Rate: The complication rate for mastopexy procedures is low compared to other major surgical procedures.
- Improves Asymmetrical Breasts: The procedure can make asymmetrical breasts look more similar, giving you a more balanced and symmetrical appearance.
- High Satisfaction Rates: Breast lift surgery has an extremely high satisfaction rate of 98%.
Cons
- Doesn’t Change Breast Size: Breast lift surgery alone will not significantly change the size or volume of your breasts. To achieve a change in size, you would need to combine it with breast reduction or augmentation surgery.
- Leaves Scars: You will have scars from the incisions, although they should fade over a year or two. In rare cases, poor healing can lead to prominent scars, which can usually be improved by lasers, microneedling, or light-based devices.
- Maintenance Required: Any significant weight fluctuations (gain or loss) can change the size and shape of the breasts, as well as their perkiness, so you will have to maintain your weight to preserve your results.
- Further Treatment: You will continue to age, and if your tissues are genetically weak, your surgeon may suggest adding a soft tissue support to offset the possibility of your tissues sagging again.
Understanding the Cost of a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
The cost of a breast lift vary greatly depending on several factors, including the surgeon’s fee, the type of surgery, and the location of the surgery.
On average, a breast lift procedure in the United States can cost between $8,100 and $9,000. However, it is important to keep in mind that this estimate does not include all of the necessary expenses if you have it done in the U.S.
What Does the Cost of a Breast Lift Include?
When you receive a cost quote over the phone with a U.S. surgeon, understand this typically only includes the surgeon’s fee, only a portion of your total cost.
When you book through HebeDoc.com, expect the quote you receive from your Hebedoc approved surgeon is inclusive of all fees associated with your procedure.
During your initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, you will discuss concerns such as sagging, nipple position, or lost breast volume after weight loss or breastfeeding. The surgeon will then recommend a treatment plan and provide you with a personalized, all-in cost quote that includes:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesia costs
- Facility fees (hospital or surgical center)
- Surgical supplies
- Pre- and post-op lab and medical tests
- Follow-up appointments (postoperative charges)
Ask about additional expenses, such as:
- Will the consultation fee be applied to the cost of your surgery?
- Prescription pain medications and a support bra to reduce swelling?
- How are revision surgery costs handled, in case of a complication?
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Breast Lift?
Factors impacting the cost of a breast lift procedure include:
- The surgeon’s fee: Surgeons fees vary based on expertise and location.
- Procedure type: A breast lift with breast implants is more than a breast lift alone.
- Surgery location: Breast lift costs vary from country and city where surgery is performed.
Ideal Candidates for a Breast Lift
According to Dr. Sheila S. Nazarian, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, “Most women who have breastfed will benefit from a breast lift procedure.”
Ideal candidates for a breast lift:
- Healthy nonsmokers
- Stable weight
- Desire to improve breast appearance
Signs a breast lift may be right for you:
- Drooping breasts.
- Stretched skin.
- Nipples sitting below the natural breast crease.
- Nipples pointing down towards the floor.
- Enlarged areolas.
- A pancake appearance signaling laxity and volume loss.
- Uneven or asymmetrical breasts.
- Pendulous breasts.
Note, breasts size does not determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a breast lift. The surgery is the same, regardless of breasts size, and may be performed on women with little to no breast tissue.
Is Breast Lift Surgery Safe?
According to a study from the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, the complication rate of breast lift surgery is relatively low, with only a 2.37% risk of complications, putting the mastopexy mortality rate at 0.03%.
While breast lift surgery is generally considered safe, there are still risks and potential complications associated with the procedure. The usual surgical risks apply:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Nipple or areola damage
- Breastfeeding difficulty
- Numbness in the nipples or breasts
- Uneven breast shape or size
- Asymmetry in nipple position
- Noticeable scars.
Minimizing the Risks of Breast Lift Surgery
To minimize the risks of breast lift surgery:
- Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure you seek and has a proven track record in successful outcomes.
- Review multiple before and after photos of mastopexy surgeries performed by the surgeon to get a sense of their skill and experience.
- Carefully follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions to minimize risk and achieve the best possible outcome.
Breast Lift: Understanding Different Types and Scars
As women age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes and gravity all cause breasts to sag, lose firmness and youthful appearance. Breast lift surgery restores the natural shape and position of the breasts.
Every woman’s body and desired results are unique, so there are several different types of breast lifts to choose from. Understanding the different techniques, incisions and scars associated with each type can help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
1. Lollipop or Vertical Lift
The lollipop lift, also known as a vertical lift, is the most commonly performed type of breast lift. This procedure involves two incisions – one around the areola and another running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the crease below the breast. The incisions are connected to form a lollipop shape.
This type of lift is suitable for women with moderate to severe sagging and provides a more lifted appearance to the breasts.
The main advantage of the lollipop lift is that it leaves a more limited scar compared to other techniques.
2. Anchor Lift
The anchor lift, also known as an inverted T lift, is the most extensive type of breast lift. This procedure involves three incisions – one around the areola, one down to the base of the breast and one along the crease.
The incisions are combined to form the shape of an anchor. The anchor lift is best for women with significant sagging or after significant weight loss, as it removes the most amount of skin and tissue.
It also leaves the most extensive scarring compared to other types of lifts.
3. Periareolar, Donut or Benelli Lift
The periareolar lift, also known as the donut or Benelli lift, involves a full-circle incision around the edge of the areola. This type of lift is suitable for women with mild sagging and can also be used for areola reduction.
It is the least invasive type of breast lift, but it removes the least amount of skin and tissue, so it may not provide the desired results for everyone.
Scars from this procedure may also widen over time, giving a starburst appearance.
4. Crescent Lift
The crescent lift involves a crescent-moon shaped incision around part of the areola. This type of lift is best for women with minor sagging or nipple positioning and leaves a minimal scar that heals well. It’s also recommended for correcting asymmetry between the areolas.
5. The Bellasoma/Horndeski Method
The Bellasoma/Horndeski method is an emerging technique gaining in popularity. This procedure involves incisions around the areola and in the crease below the breast that heal well due to minimal tension on the incisions.
Unlike traditional vertical lift techniques, the Bellasoma/Horndeski method transfers the weight of the breast to the pectoralis muscle, providing long-term results.
This technique is only performed by a limited number of surgeons, so you may need to travel to receive this procedure.
With several different types of lifts available, it’s important to understand the incisions, scars and desired results associated with each one.
Talking to a plastic surgeon about your body, desired outcome and lifestyle can help you determine which type of breast lift is right for you.
How does a breast lift work?
Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation (deeply relaxed and sleepy) or general anesthesia (completely numb and asleep).
Your surgeon will:
- Make incisions in the breast tissue
- Remove any excess skin.
- Reposition and tighten surrounding tissue.
- Raise nipple position and reduce areola size.
The goal of this is to create a more youthful, firmer, lifted appearance.
Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia, so you will feel nothing during surgery.
However, during the recovery process, it’s normal to experience some discomfort, such as soreness, swelling, and bruising.
Many women who undergo breast lift surgery report minimal discomfort and are often surprised by how manageable the recovery process is.
According to Dr. Larry Nichter, a plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, most patients experience only minor incisional discomfort and don’t require heavy pain medication.
Dr. Nichter estimates 80% of his patients do not require any narcotic pain medication. Your breast lift surgeon may prescribe pain medication for the first few days after the surgery, but an over-the-counter pain reliever should be enough to alleviate any discomfort or soreness.
Everyone’s experience is unique, and some women may have a more uncomfortable recovery process than others. Overall, the breast lift procedure is considered relatively low on the pain scale compared to other surgical procedures.
Considering a breast lift and have concerns about the recovery process and potential pain? Discuss these concerns with your surgeon. They can help you understand what to expect and provide you with personalized recommendations based on your specific case.
A common concern among women considering a breast lift is whether it will reduce cup size. According to a study published in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, a breast lift can result in a decrease in bra size.
The procedure involves removing tissue and skin, which typically results in a slight reduction in breast volume. The reduction in volume is insignificant, and the majority of women are still able to wear their pre-surgery bra size.
Every woman’s body is unique, and the outcome of a breast lift vary.
How Long Does Breast Lift Recovery Take?
It’s natural to have questions about the recovery process.
Let’s take a look at what to expect during the recovery period, including the timeline, tips for a smoother healing process, and when you can get back to your normal activities.
What to Expect Immediately After Surgery
Immediately following your breast lift surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze bandages, supported by a surgical bra.
This helps to minimize swelling, support the tissue as it heals, and prevent stretching of the incisions.
Your surgeon may also place small surgical drains to prevent fluid buildup.
The first few days after your breast lift surgery will likely involve some pain and discomfort, as well as swelling and bruising around the surgical area.
This is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses. Most patients report discomfort subsiding within the first week. Take it easy and follow your surgeon’s instructions for aftercare.
By the end of the first week, most patients are able to return to a desk job, as long as their work does not involve lifting anything over 10 pounds.
You may still experience some swelling and tenderness during this time, but it should be manageable.
Your surgeon will give you instructions on when to return for a follow-up appointment and when your drains and stitches can be removed.
During the second to fourth weeks of recovery, the swelling and bruising should begin to subside, and you should start to feel more like yourself.
Continue following your surgeon’s instructions for aftercare, including wearing your surgical bra and avoiding heavy lifting.
Gradually begin incorporating light exercise into your routine.
Listen to your body and not overdo it.
By the fourth week, most patients are able to return to all of their normal activities, including exercise and sexual activity.
Everyone’s recovery is different, and it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions and listen to your body.
If you have any concerns or experience any complications during your recovery, be sure to reach out to your surgeon for guidance.
Breast lift recovery takes several weeks, but with proper aftercare and a commitment to taking it easy, most patients are able to return to their normal activities within four weeks.
Discuss the recovery timeline with your surgeon, as well as any other concerns you may have.
Results: How Soon?
Most patients see results from their breast lift surgery within three to four months. During this time, the swelling will go down, and the incisions will begin to heal.
After four months, you should have a good idea of what your final results will look like. However, it may take up to a full year for all of the swelling to fully subside and for your incisions to fully heal.
Surgical scarring from a breast lift typically heals more cleanly than accidental trauma. Once the scar is mature at twelve months, patients may have a very thin, almost imperceptible line.
Scar appearance depends on several factors, including your surgeon’s skill, the location and size of your incisions, and your own healing process.
Doctors have comprehensive scar treatment regimens, so be sure to ask your surgeon.
The ability to breastfeed after a breast lift varies from woman to woman. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some women may have problems with breastfeeding due to damage to their breast ducts.
Most plastic surgeons agree, breast ductal tissue sensation is preserved in most techniques, so the ability to breastfeed should remain intact.
Nerve damage risk is minor and only happens if ducts are severed during surgery. Discuss this with your surgeon if breastfeeding is a priority for you in the future.
The length of time you’ll need to wear a support bra after your surgery will vary based on the recommendations of your surgeon.
Many plastic surgeons recommend wearing a bra 24/7 for the first three months after a breast lift and discourage going braless for any extended period of time.
This is to minimize gravity’s effect on your new look and ensure your results last as long as possible.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?
While a breast lift is a permanent surgical change, breasts continue to age. The length of time depends on a number of factors:
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Genetic factors
- Skin type
- Medical conditions
- Breast size
Patients typically don’t require revisions for 8 to 10 years after a breast lift, and it’s often much longer.
To help ensure long-lasting results, some plastic surgeons use soft tissue support when performing a breast lift, such as Galaflex or Durasorb.
While a breast lift can provide a significant improvement in the appearance of sagging breasts, it is not the only option available. Other options to consider include:
- Breast augmentation with lift: This combines a breast implant with a lift to provide a fuller, lifted look.
- Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as radiofrequency treatments or dermal fillers, can be used to enhance the appearance of the breasts without undergoing surgery.
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Changes in sensation in the breasts or nipples
- Poor healing
- Asymmetry
- Unsatisfactory results
How to Choose the Right Surgeon for Your Breast Lift
Choosing the right surgeon for your breast lift is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. When looking for a surgeon, consider the following:
- Board certification: Make sure the surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery and has extensive experience performing breast lift procedures.
- Results: Look at before-and-after photos of the surgeon’s previous patients to get an idea of the results they can achieve.
- Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the surgeon to discuss your goals and to see if they are the right fit for you.
The Benefits of a Breast Lift
A breast lift can have a major impact on a woman’s self-esteem and confidence, and it can help her feel more comfortable and attractive in her own skin. With a more youthful and perky breast shape, patients can feel more confident in a variety of clothing styles and can enjoy a more active lifestyle without worrying about sagging or droopy breasts.
While this procedure is becoming increasingly popular, it is not for everyone.
Considering a breast lift? Take the time to research your options and choose a qualified, experienced surgeon to help you achieve the results you desire.
With the right surgeon and the right approach, a breast lift can be a life-changing procedure that can help you feel your best.