Breast Lift

Many women are content with their breast size, but would like to elevate their breasts and achieve a firmer, perkier appearance. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging can stretch and deflate the breasts, causing unwanted drooping and noticeable aesthetic changes. Our Dallas plastic surgeons at Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa are experienced in a variety of breast lift techniques that can address a number of breast concerns. With a breast lift, our surgeons can remove excess skin, recontour the breasts, elevate them on the chest wall, and reshape/reposition the nipples if necessary. Each breast lift they perform is customized to address the unique needs and goals of each patient for optimal results.

• What Is Breast Lift Surgery?
• Breast Lift Surgery Consultation
• Complementary Procedures to Breast Lift Surgery
• Types of Breast Lift Surgery
• The Breast Lift Surgery Procedure
• Breast Lift Recovery
• Longevity of Breast Lift Surgery Results
• Breast Lift Scars
• Breast Lift Surgery Cost
• Non-Surgical Breast Lift
• Breast Lift FAQs

What Is Breast Lift Surgery?

A breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to address skin laxity and excess skin that causes the breasts to sag or droop. The shape of the breasts can also be improved with a breast lift, though the size of the breasts will not be increased. For women who are happy with the size of their breasts but unhappy with breast sagging or loss of breast shape, a breast lift can elevate the position of the breasts and nipples to a more youthful position.

What Does the Breast Lift Surgery Consultation Entail?

Each breast lift patient at Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa starts with a one-on-one consultation with her cosmetic surgeon prior surgery. The breast lift consultation is extremely important. From this conversation, our cosmetic surgeon will be able to determine which breast lift technique should be used and if other cosmetic breast procedures may be necessary to  meet the patient’s goals and expectations.

Evaluation of the Breasts

As part of the breast lift consultation, our plastic surgeon evaluates current breast shape and skin elasticity. Breast lift patients who are planning to lose a significant amount of weight or who are trying to become pregnant should tell their plastic surgeon. Both weight loss and pregnancy significantly affect breast shape.

Your Medical History

During the breast lift consultation, our patients should candidly discuss their medical history, including any previous breast surgeries, mammography results, and any family history of breast cancer. Our patients should fully explain to their cosmetic surgeon how they expect their breasts to look after the breast lift procedure.

Complementary Procedures to Breast Lift Surgery

Our plastic surgeons may recommend other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction and abdominoplasty, to provide patients with results that meet their expectations. Additionally, if you are dissatisfied with both the shape and size of your breasts, we can enhance the size of your breasts by combining two cosmetic breast surgeries into one. It is common for breast lift to be performed in conjunction with breast enlargement in a procedure called breast augmentation mastopexy (BAM), which means a breast lift with augmentation. This particular procedure is often requested as part of a full mommy makeover treatment plan, which is designed to restore a woman’s pre-baby figure after childbirth through various cosmetic procedures and treatments.

Types of Breast Lift Surgery

There are many techniques available for breast lift that your plastic surgeon will consider:

Crescent Mastopexy

Also known as a half-moon incision, your plastic surgeon will conceal the incision along the upper border of the areola.

Peri-Areolar Mastopexy

Sometimes referred to as a “doughnut mastopexy,” your plastic surgeon will make an incision along the entire border of the areola that should be barely noticeable once the healing process is complete.

“Lollipop” Mastopexy

Also known as a “vertical breast lift,” your plastic surgeon will make an incision around the areola that then extends down toward the crease beneath the breast. The placement of this incision allows the scar to be easily concealed with a bra or bikini top.

Full Mastopexy

A full mastopexy has many alternative names, including “anchor mastopexy,” “wise pattern mastopexy,” and “inverted t-incision mastopexy.” The incision used is identical to a lollipop mastopexy, with the addition of an incision that is concealed along the crease beneath the breast. This incision type allows for the greatest lift and can still be easily covered with a bra or bikini top.

What Does the Breast Lift Surgery Procedure Involve?

Breast lift surgery performed at Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa is an outpatient procedure that involves anesthesia. Although techniques vary, typically our cosmetic surgeon makes incisions along the breast’s natural contour and the new nipple location. Excess skin is removed. The areola and nipple are moved to the new location. If the sagging breast has caused the areola to stretch and enlarge, the areola can be made smaller. The remaining skin is pulled taut and stitched closed.

What Does Breast Lift Recovery Involve?

A few hours after surgery, patients are typically released to a friend or family member to return home. You MUST have someone available to drive you home after surgery. It is important that you have another responsible person available to assist you for the first two to three days after surgery. It is also extremely important that you take short walks every one to two hours in your home up until bedtime to prevent clots in the legs, including on the night of surgery. Patients generally return for a post-operative appointment a few days after surgery.

You may experience a certain degree of swelling, bruising, or numbness for roughly two weeks following the procedure. Any post-surgical discomfort can often be effectively managed with medication and typically fades after several days. Patients can usually return to work within a week; more strenuous activity should generally be avoided for up to six weeks.

How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

The results achieved with breast lift surgery are typically long-lasting; however, the breasts will continue to age. Women with larger, heavier breasts may experience the aging process more rapidly than those with smaller breasts. Long after breast lift, some women opt to undergo a follow-up breast lift to correct for the visible effects of gravity and aging.

Our cosmetic surgeons at Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa will explain the entire breast lift procedure prior to your breast lift surgery. Most breast lift patients are extremely happy with the results of their surgery and enjoy a more fulfilling life.

What Will My Breast Lift Scars Look Like?

Our plastic surgeons are well-trained in breast surgery techniques that can minimize the visibility of post-operative scarring. While it is not possible to achieve a surgical breast lift without scars, the incisions can be placed in inconspicuous areas or concealed altogether. The prominence of breast lift scars should also significantly diminish over time. Each breast lift is customized to meet the needs of the patient, and the size and location of your scars will depend upon your custom-tailored surgical plan.

How Much Does Breast Lift Surgery Cost?

The average pricing for breast lift surgery at our practice can cost between $8,500 and $11,000. When a breast lift is combined with breast augmentation, the average price range can be $9,000 to $12,500. A multitude of factors will determine the exact cost of your personalized breast lift procedure, so if you are interested in getting an accurate cost quote a consultation with one of our experienced board-certified plastic surgeons is necessary. During this appointment, your plastic surgeon will design a detailed surgical plan based on your anatomical needs and aesthetic goals. From this plan, a cost quote can be calculated. After your appointment, a knowledgeable member of our office team will present your price estimate, which includes the surgeon’s fee, surgery center costs, and anesthesia costs.

Payment methods we accept and third-party plastic surgery financing options can also be discussed. Financing through CareCredit®, United Medical Credit, and Prosper® Healthcare Lending may be available to qualified applicants. Many of our patients choose to take advantage of low- or no-interest financing and flexible monthly payments to make breast lift surgery more accessible and affordable.

Is a Breast Lift Without Surgery Possible?

Many women ask our plastic surgeons at Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa if there is a way to elevate the position of the breasts without surgery. While there are a number of exercises that can tone the chest muscles, there are no breast lift exercises that can address issues of skin laxity or excess skin. Some women who exercise in an attempt to elevate the position of the breasts may find that any resulting weight loss can actually cause the breasts to sag or droop to an even greater degree. A breast lift is the most effective way to rejuvenate the appearance of sagging breasts because it can be customized to surgically correct many key signs of aging breasts, and improve overall breast shape and symmetry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery

Will insurance cover breast lift surgery?

Since breast lift surgery is an elective procedure, it will not be covered by insurance.

Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?

Following breast lift surgery, most patients retain sensation in the nipple area and should be able to breastfeed. With this in mind, patients are usually encouraged to wait until they are finished having children to undergo breast lift surgery, as the effects of breastfeeding and childbirth may compromise results.

How painful is a breast lift?

During your breast lift procedure, you will be administered general anesthesia. As such, you should not experience any significant pain throughout the surgery. Any post-operative discomfort can usually be managed with pain medication.

How can I reduce swelling after a breast lift?

Swelling is a normal reaction to breast lift surgery and is rarely cause for alarm. Adhering to your aftercare instructions, wearing the right type of bra, and using compresses as needed should mitigate swelling.

What type of bra should I wear after breast lift surgery?

During your recovery from breast lift surgery, you can decide not to wear a bra for the first six weeks. If you choose to wear a bra, it should be a loose-fitting, non-underwire bra. Note that in the years following the procedure, you are encouraged to wear proper bras to maintain results and potentially prevent the re-onset of ptosis.

Contact Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa

If you would like to learn more about breast lift, please contact Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa to schedule a consultation. One of our plastic surgeons will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the most appropriate breast lift approach for your body type and aesthetic concerns. As breast lift and cosmetic breast surgery specialists, our surgeons have many years of experience helping women realize their dreams of beautiful, proportionate bust lines.

Medical References*

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic