Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery (also known as a mastopexy) is a common plastic surgery procedure performed to lift the natural breast tissue into a more desirable location on the chest. The breasts can develop a deflated appearance due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, changes in weight, or aging. Breast lift surgery raises the breast by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to support and reshape the new breast contour. A breast lift will also reduce the size of the areola if it has become enlarged over time.

Breast lift surgery does not significantly alter the size of the breasts. A breast reduction should be considered if you are interested in decreasing the size of your breasts and lifting them into a more pleasing position. A breast augmentation should be considered if you are interested in increasing the size of your breasts. Sometimes, a breast lift and breast augmentation are performed simultaneously to lift the native breast tissue and increase the volume of the breasts. This is called an augmentation mastopexy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Am I a candidate for breast lift?

    • Women that are happy with their current breast size but desire a more youthful, elevated position of their current breast tissue and are in otherwise reasonable medical health are candidates for breast lift.

  • Is a breast lift covered by insurance?

    • Dr. Pierce does not perform breast lift surgery through insurance.

  • Can I have a breast lift if I am currently smoking cigarettes?

    • No, smoking cigarettes or any form of nicotine consumption significantly increases your risk of issues with wound healing and infection. You should be without nicotine for 6 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after your surgery.

  • How is a breast lift surgery performed?

    • Breast lift surgery involves removing excess breast skin and lifting/tightening the remaining breast skin and tissue to obtain a similar sized breast in a more pleasing position. The areola is usually reduced in size to achieve a more youthful appearing breast.

  • Where are the incisions located for a breast lift?

    • There are multiple incision options for a breast lift. If only a small lift is required, the incisions may be hidden around the areola (donut mastopexy). If a larger lift is required, the incisions may be located around the areola, from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast, and along the bottom of the breast. Please visit our breast lift gallery to see typical incisions after breast lift.

  • How long does breast lift surgery take?

    • Breast lift surgery takes 2-3 hours to perform.

  • Will I have drains after a breast lift?

    • Dr. Pierce does not commonly use drains for breast lift surgery.

  • How do you control pain during and after surgery?

    • Dr. Pierce uses an evidence-based approach to pain management for surgery called the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol. This protocol uses a combination of local numbing medication, anesthesia blocks, anti-nausea medication, scheduled non-narcotic pain medication, and narcotic pain medication as needed to decrease the surgical pain and speed up your recovery.

  • Where do you perform breast lift surgery?

    • Dr. Pierce performs breast lift surgery in an outpatient surgical facility. You will be able to go home the same day as your procedure.

  • Will I be able to breast feed after a breast lift?

    • Studies show a 25% chance of inability to breastfeed after breast lift.

  • Will my nipple sensation change after a breast lift?

    • Studies show a 25% chance of alteration in nipple sensation after breast lift.

  • What are the risks and complications associated with a breast lift?

    • The most common risks associated with breast lift are pain, bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, scarring, asymmetry, inability to breast feed, and changes in nipple sensation.

  • When can I return to work after breast lift?

    • You can return to desk work 1-2 weeks after surgery. If you have a job that requires heavy lifting, we ask that you request to return to work with modified duties until 6 weeks after surgery.

  • When can I return to exercise after breast lift?

    • You can resume low-impact exercise (ex: walking, stationary bike, elliptical) at 1-2 weeks after surgery. You can resume high impact exercise (ex: running, cycling, weight lifting) with a supportive bra at 6 weeks after surgery.