Breast
Lift

What is a Breast Lift?

In addition to glandular tissue, the breasts comprise fat, skin and ligaments that can stretch and sag over time. This can lead to ptosis, the medical term that describes when the nipple droops below the breast crease. Every woman will experience some degree of sagging as the breasts yield to gravity, but giving birth, breastfeeding and weight loss can exacerbate this process, creating an uneven, deflated or otherwise unsatisfactory breast appearance. 

A breast lift is a surgical procedure that elevates and reshapes sagging breasts to restore more youthful contours. It works by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissues to give the breasts a firmer, perkier look. Breast lifts have a long track record of safety and success and are continuing to grow in popularity as weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro cause dramatic changes in body composition that can affect the aesthetics of the breasts.

Ideal Breast Lift candidates

All women experience natural changes to their breasts over time. However, if your breasts seem flatter or droopier than you’d like and you’re unhappy with how they look, a breast lift can restore a more youthful appearance and help you feel more confident about your body proportions. This procedure might be suitable if your breasts have begun sagging in response to the following:

• Aging, genetics and skin laxity
• The effects of gravity
• Breast size — large breasts are more likely to sag
• Changes after pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Weight fluctuations 

Regardless of the cause, breast sagging can be classified as mild, moderate or severe. One way to tell if you could benefit from a breast lift is by performing the pencil test. Although not a conclusive indicator, the pencil test involves placing a pencil or sheet of paper beneath the breasts. If it stays in place and the nipple falls below the pencil or paper line, enough sagging is present to warrant a breast lift. Following an at-home pencil test, a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can then determine if a breast lift is right for you.

Breast Lift: With or Without Implants?

It is important to mention that breast lift surgery on its own does not increase the size, volume or fullness of the breasts. If your goals also include increasing your breast size or correcting volume loss, our surgeons may recommend combining your breast lift with breast augmentation for more comprehensive results. In many cases, this can be done without the need for additional incisions and won’t drastically impact the amount of downtime after your procedure. We also offer areola adjustments to complete your transformation.

Breast Lift recovery

Breast lifts are performed as an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to return home the same day as your surgery. However, you'll need to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. At the beginning of your recovery, it’s common to experience some chest tightness, bruising, swelling and general discomfort in the treated area. After surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in bandages and a compression bra to support your new contours and promote healing. 

You’ll need to avoid demanding activities, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise while your breasts heal, but will be able to resume your normal routine as it feels comfortable to do so. Most patients can expect to take at least one to two weeks off from work to recover. Our team will send you home with post-op instructions and activity guidelines to ensure that everything is going smoothly, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to check your progress. We’ll also be able to address any concerns, so don’t hesitate to call our office if something comes up!