Breast lift: A common breast surgery that can lift confidence

Overview: Breast lift surgery raises breasts by tightening the surrounding tissues and removing excess skin. It doesn’t involve an implant or increase breast size but gives deflated or sagging breasts a fuller appearance. 

Breast lift surgery is often considered by women with breast tissue that has deflated due to weight loss.  For many, this weight loss results from pregnancy and/or breastfeeding, when the breasts frequently fluctuate in fullness. Over time, breast elasticity declines and causes permanent deflation or sagging.

Breast lift, or mastopexy, surgery removes and tightens the excess skin, raising breast tissue closer to the breast fold.  It doesn’t increase breast size.  Despite scarring, it’s a popular choice because it doesn’t involve an implant and delivers a natural result.

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You could be a candidate for a breast lift if:

• You have breast droop or your breasts have lost their shape.
• You like the size of your breasts when wearing a bra.
• Your nipples point downward or are below the breast fold.
• Your breasts have flattened due to weight loss, breastfeeding or aging.
• You have realistic expectations for how your scars may heal.

Health issues to consider

• To undergo surgery, you should generally be healthy and up to date on any standard medical testing such as mammograms.
• There is zero tolerance for nicotine use due to incisions and healing risks.
• Your weight should be stable and as close to your goal weight as possible.  Further weight loss would result in further sagging.
• For longer lasting results, it’s recommended to wait until you are finished having children and breastfeeding.

Typical recovery

• Patients will have a 20-pound weight-lifting restriction for two weeks.
• Swelling and bruising can last approximately three to four weeks and completely resolve by three months.
• Scars can continue to fade for up to a year.

Although human breast tissue will continue to respond to gravity, a breast lift is an excellent procedure for women looking for higher, firmer breasts.  The size and upper pole fullness (the volume, shape and roundness of the upper breast) will not change significantly.  However, the way your clothes fit will often improve.

Breast augmentation vs. Breast lift

Cosmetic surgery is a personal decision for every patient.  At your consultation with our MercyOne board-certified plastic surgeon, you will see photos of patient results and will learn about what you might expect if you decide to have the surgery.  

This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne provider.