Breast Lift (mastopexy)

A breast lift is best suited for women who:

• Experience sagging or a noticeable loss of volume in the breasts
• Maintain a stable, healthy weight
• Are in good overall health
• Have realistic expectations about their results
• Do not smoke
   

The primary goal of a breast lift is to reposition the breasts higher on the chest wall by removing excess skin and reshaping the tissue for a more youthful contour. This also helps reduce the skin-to-breast ratio along the upper abdomen and restores firmness.

Unlike simply lifting the breast tissue, a breast lift is a technically advanced procedure that involves removing excess skin, reshaping the breast mound, and carefully re-securing the tissue to maintain long-lasting results.

Every woman’s breast lift journey is unique and should align with her personal aesthetic goals. Some patients choose to undergo a breast lift alone, while others combine it with breast augmentation to restore both shape and volume.

When combining a breast lift with implants, it’s important to understand the balance between two opposing forces:

• Breast augmentation stretches the skin envelope to accommodate an implant
• Breast lifting (mastopexy) tightens the skin envelope by removing excess skin
   

Your surgeon will help determine the ideal amount of skin removal and the best implant size and profile—if applicable—to create proportional, natural-looking results while minimizing tension and risks.

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is a versatile procedure designed to elevate the breasts and correct skin laxity ranging from mild to severe. In addition to lifting the breast tissue, mastopexy can also improve symmetry, reduce enlarged areolas, and address excess nipple projection. It may also be performed in conjunction with nipple correction procedures for a more balanced and youthful appearance.

It’s important to note that a breast lift does not increase breast volume. For patients looking to both lift and enhance breast size, a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation is typically recommended. This dual procedure offers enhanced results, streamlines the recovery process, and may reduce total surgical costs. On its own, mastopexy may result in a subtle reduction in breast size due to tissue reshaping. For patients seeking a more significant reduction in volume, a separate breast reduction surgery may be more appropriate.

Our surgeons tailor the technique based on the degree of sagging and the patient’s goals. Common surgical methods include:

Crescent Lift & Peri-Areolar (Donut) Lift

Used to correct mild sagging, these techniques involve an incision either at the top of the areola (crescent) or around the entire areolar border (peri-areolar). Both options allow for the removal of minor excess skin and reshaping of the breast mound. These approaches offer subtle lifting with minimal scarring that is well-concealed by the natural transition of skin around the areola.

Vertical Lift (Lollipop)

Ideal for moderate sagging, the vertical lift includes an incision around the areola and a vertical line extending down to the breast fold. This approach allows your surgeon to remove more excess skin and reshape the breast for a perkier contour while keeping scars relatively discreet.

Anchor Lift

Recommended for women with significant sagging or larger breasts, the anchor lift includes a vertical incision plus a horizontal one hidden in the inframammary fold. This technique allows for the most dramatic reshaping and tightening of the breast tissue, making it ideal for patients who need more comprehensive correction.