Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and raises the breasts by removing excess skin and adjusting the breast tissue underneath. The distinction that matters most is this: on its own it will not change your breast size. It changes where the breast sits and what shape it holds. When size is also part of what you want, a lift can be combined with augmentation or with reduction to get there.

The reasons to consider one are consistent. Sagging, or a loss of breast shape and firmness. Nipples that point downward or sit below the breast crease. Areolae that have stretched and would suit being resized or repositioned. Underneath all of them is usually the same thing, which is wanting your own proportion back.

There are a few things worth knowing before you decide. Smaller breasts tend to hold the result longer, because larger ones carry more weight and are more prone to sagging again over time. Pregnancy or significant weight change can undo a good result, so if either is on the horizon it may be better to wait. Breastfeeding is typically still possible afterward, though milk production may be affected.

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia. Incisions are placed around the areola, vertically from the areola to the breast crease, or horizontally along the crease, in the combination your anatomy calls for. It usually takes two to three hours and is done as an outpatient procedure, so you go home the same day.

Expect swelling, bruising, and soreness for a few weeks. A surgical support bra is worn continuously for the first few days, then a soft support bra for several weeks after that. Strenuous activity waits at least one to two weeks, and incision sites need protecting from the sun while they heal.

The improvement is visible immediately and keeps settling over a few months. Scars fade over one to two years but are permanent, and a stable weight is what preserves the result.