Breast Lift

Women who are the most ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are those who have seen their breast skin stretch over time, leading to breasts that no longer appear to project well, but instead sag or point downward. Anything that causes breasts to grow in volume and then shrink again may cause this problem, which is why pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing—which together can make breasts grow and then shrink significantly—are often reasons women find themselves considering the procedure. Hormone fluctuations tend to automatically trigger these changes in size. When a child stops breastfeeding, the resulting shift is a common catalyst for sagging. The problem can be more significant if multiple children nurse over a series of years. That said, genetics can also play a significant factor, with some women finding that heredity alone is enough to make their breasts appear deflated instead of perky over time.

Beyond these factors, breast lift patients should be generally healthy and well informed, knowing what to expect from the procedure. Dr. Laura Gowen at Cirillo Plastic Surgery works with each woman who comes to her for help, developing a customized plan and answering questions to ensure the procedure runs as smoothly as possible and that positive results are maximized.

Breast lift candidates should also be able to maintain a stable weight, as weight gain or loss after the surgery can impact the results if the breast skin stretches again. The best way to preserve the look of newly lifted breasts is to ensure overall ongoing good health with a good diet and regular exercise.

A mastopexy is usually an outpatient procedure that does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. Recovery time varies based upon the extent of the procedure, but you can typically resume normal daily activity within 10 to 14 days after breast lift surgery.

During your office consultation, we will discuss where incisions will be made on your breast, as well as what size you aim to be at the end of the procedure. Since the breast lift procedure itself involves removing excess breast skin, tightening the remaining skin to improve shape, and moving the nipples to a more youthful height on the breast, it can take several hours. If an increase in breast size is desired, we will place a breast implant during the procedure as well. This addition also impacts the duration of the procedure, healing, and other details.

Expect some tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the days following a breast lift surgery. These are common side effects of the procedure, and all of them are expected to resolve with no further attention.

The scars that result from a breast lift will depend on the amount of initial breast droop and final breast position and size, but will typically appear around the areola and on the lower portion of the breast. Depending on procedure specifics, the incision may be a crescent shape on the upper portion of the areola, a full circle around the entire areola, a circle with a line running straight down, or an “anchor” shape.

Every effort is made to place incisions so that resulting scars won’t show when you are wearing a bra or bathing suit. They will also fade over time, as long as they are properly cared for. This includes getting plenty of rest, staying out of the sun—which can cause scars to darken—and avoiding smoking, which impedes the healing process.

A breast lift can restore a youthful shape and contour to your breasts. During your consultation, we will discuss your goals for your silhouette. Remember that a lift is different from augmentation, but if a volume increase is also important to accompany the breast lift, size, options for incision placement, and typical recovery will also be discussed. Patients of a variety of ages are typically very happy after deciding to undergo a breast lift.