Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lifts (also called mastopexies) are ideal for women who experience breast sagging combined with the loss of breast volume, shape, and/or firmness. Whether as a result of pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging, drooping breasts can alter the proportions of the figure and affect self-confidence. Many women come to our plastic surgeon—John M. Sarbak, MD—seeking breast lifts (both with and without breast implants) to restore a more youthful breast shape, volume, and position. His extensive skill and experience with breast lift techniques and breast augmentation allow him to create surgical plans customized to suit each patient’s needs and cosmetic goals. Dr. Sarbak even offers a scarless breast lift surgery (with implants) for women who are good candidates.
For more information about the breast lift options available at our practice, we invite you to review the informative sections provided below and schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Sarbak.
- Breast Lift Procedure Types
- Breast Lift Before and After
- Breast Lift Recovery
- Breast Lift Results
- Breast Lift Scars
- Breast Lift Without Surgery
- Breast Lift Cost
- Additional Breast Lift FAQs
What Are the Different Breast Lift Procedure Types?
During your consultation, you can benefit from Dr. Sarbak’s breast lift experience and expertise. He will clearly outline your options and explain the results you can hope to expect with each approach. If you are having a hard time deciding whether or not you want breast implants with your lift, he will let you “try on” different sized implants. Dr. Sarbak will also explain your implant choices and how each can affect the look of your final results. Only you can decide which procedure is best for you, but you can rest assured that Dr. Sarbak will happily answer any of your questions and provide you with proper guidance.
Breast Lift without Implants (Mastopexy)
In some patients, rearrangement of the breast tissue alone is adequate to restore the breasts to a youthful shape. For these women, a breast lift without implants—called a mastopexy—elevates the breasts and nipples without adding breast implants for further volume.
The operation itself is accomplished by tightening the skin envelope, while rearranging the underlying breast tissue and repositioning the nipple. There are multiple techniques available to properly adjust the tissue. The technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend upon the individual’s unique anatomical structure. The goal is always to use the most conservative method necessary for achieving optimal results.
Breast Lift Methods
The simplest breast lift method involves a surgical incision that extends around the nipple/areola along the border of the pigmented skin and the native breast skin. When dealing with large movements in nipple position and/or large amounts of excess skin, an additional surgical incision is required that extends vertically down towards the breast fold. On occasion, this surgical scar may need to be extended horizontally along the breast fold to accommodate a more significant lift.
Breast lift techniques can also address asymmetries between a patient’s nipple sizes and/or positions. They can provide significant benefits both for women with developmental differences and surgically-created differences, such as those that result from breast cancer surgery.
Breast Lift with Implants (Breast Augmentation Mastopexy)
While a breast augmentation can provide a beautiful cosmetic enhancement, the procedure may not address the loose, excess tissue and “sagginess” that can result from the aging process, weight loss, or pregnancy. Many patients require a combination of both breast implants and a breast lift (mastopexy) to achieve their desired contours. Our experienced plastic surgeon offers breast augmentation with mastopexy as an all-in-one procedure to help women enhance the appearance of their breasts by adding volume, improving symmetry, repositioning a descended nipple, smoothing and firming the skin, and reducing areolar size if necessary. By having each of these concerns addressed at once, you can see lifted, fuller breasts that provide a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Scarless Breast Lift with Implants
Dr. Sarbak has developed a highly specialized technique that is able to deliver a lift (mastopexy) with no visible scars on the breasts. If you Google this technique, you won’t find it—this is because no other surgeons have experience with it.
Many patients who would benefit from a lift (mastopexy) are afraid of having visible scars on their breasts. Traditionally, a breast lift requires scars on the breast that most often course around the areola and sometimes continue downward in the shape of a lollipop—and in other cases, incision scars may even extend into the inframammary fold creating an anchor design.
Dr. Sarbak’s internal mastopexy procedure works in conjunction with an implant to achieve an additional elevation of the nipple position up to two centimeters. It is important to mention that the addition of an implant alone—depending upon its size and projection—can produce a small lift, usually about one centimeter. The scarless breast lift technique is not recommended in every patient, but it can provide an excellent option in women who are experiencing mild drooping and do not want scars on their breasts.
The scarless breast lift works best in conjunction with a transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA. This means that the patient only has one scar in the belly button, which usually heals with little or no evidence. This combination of procedures can also be beneficial in patients with asymmetries or aesthetic differences between their breasts. Examples include: one breast that is larger than the other, one nipple that is higher than the other, or differences in shape along the sides of the breasts. This approach is also very effective in improving certain constricted or tuberous deformities.
Dr. Sarbak has been performing the internal mastopexy since 2006. Not everyone qualifies for the procedure, but those who do can achieve wonderful results with no visible scars!
Breast Lift Before and After Photos
View breast lift before-and-after photos featuring our patients. A variety of techniques both with and without implants are displayed to give you an idea of the results that are possible. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to review photos of more patients before you make your decision to follow through with surgery.
What Can I Expect in My Breast Lift Recovery?
Recovery from breast lift can vary from patient to patient. Typically, patients take a week to rest and heal before returning to their regular routines. It’s common to notice some swelling, tenderness, and bruising around the chest; however, a prescribed surgical bra can provide comfortable support during the recovery process. We recommend that patients avoid vigorous physical activities and heavy lifting for at least a month following breast lift surgery. You will be provided with specific and detailed aftercare instructions to help you recover safely.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?
A breast lift is designed to rejuvenate the appearance of a patient’s chest by addressing sagging breasts. With the tightening of the breast tissue, elimination of excess skin, and recontouring of the breast shape, the procedure typically produces long-lasting results. There are multiple ways for patients to preserve the results of their breast lift, including:
- Maintain a stable weight – Weight fluctuations can stretch skin and increase breast size, which could affect the results of a breast lift.
- Take care of your skin – Wear sunscreen and UV protection to protect your skin from potentially harmful sun exposure and preserve skin laxity.
- Make sure it’s the right time – It’s important to undergo breast lift surgery at the right time in your life, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can possibly alter procedure outcomes.
- Wear a supportive bra – Although your breasts will continue to age, regularly wearing supportive bras can help slow the stretching of the breast skin and ligaments that lead to a sagging appearance.
- Choose a qualified plastic surgeon – Selecting an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon increases the chance of satisfactory and long-lasting mastopexy results. Additionally, follow post-surgery recovery instructions properly.
What Will My Breast Lift Scars Look Like?
Scarring after breast lift depends upon the technique used during your procedure and your own unique wound healing abilities. Our plastic surgeon strives to keep any resulting scarring as minimal and hidden as possible, while creating the results you desire. Prior to your surgery, Dr. Sarbak will discuss the approach for your breast lift in detail, explaining the incisions that will be made and where you can expect any scarring. Although your scars may seem prominent at first, with proper care they typically fade and flatten over time. If you like, you may inquire about laser treatments for diminishing your scars. For many women who have undergone breast lift surgery, they say any scarring is insignificant compared to the beautifully rejuvenated breasts they now have.
Dr. Sarbak has also developed an innovative technique for a scarless mastopexy. His internal breast lift procedure, along with a breast implant, can raise the nipple for an elevated look. This approach can work in conjunction with the transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) method, where one scar is created in the patient’s belly button and easily hidden.
Is a Breast Lift Without Surgery Possible?
The short answer: no.
The only way to achieve significant results like those from a breast lift are from a surgical procedure. Exercise, a healthy diet, and topical creams cannot eliminate excessive skin and address sagging breast tissue to achieve a perky, more youthful appearance. A few quick and temporary fixes can include adhesive breast lift tape or a push-up bra; however, mastopexy is the most effective way to achieve long-lasting, lifted, and contoured results.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
The exact cost of your breast lift will depend upon the specifics of your procedure. A variety of factors will affect the price of surgery and only a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Sarbak can provide you with an estimate of your final cost. Contributing factors to the overall price may include:
- Surgeon’s fees
- Anesthesia fees
- Post-operative garments
- Use of breast implants
Additional Breast Lift Frequently Asked Questions
Will I Be Able to Breastfeed After Breast Lift Surgery?
Undergoing breast lift surgery should not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed, especially if the nipples and milk ducts are left intact. If you had the natural ability to breastfeed before the surgery, you will most likely still have the ability to afterwards (some women are unable to naturally breastfeed). It is recommended that patients share any future plans or desires to breastfeed with their plastic surgeon before the procedure, as certain techniques may be utilized to preserve essential nerves and milk ducts. Nevertheless, many plastic surgeons suggest patients pursue a breast lift after they are done having children, as changes in the bustline, including from pregnancy and breastfeeding, can affect mastopexy results.
Will Insurance Cover Breast Lift Surgery?
In most cases, insurance will not cover a breast lift as the procedure is typically considered an elective and cosmetic surgery; however, coverage may be possible if it is deemed medically necessary. For some patients, that may be reflected by severe back pain or skin irritation caused by sagging breasts. We recommend talking to your insurance provider to see what your policy covers. You can also review our available financing options to help make the cost of your procedure more manageable.
What Type of Bra Should I Wear After Mastopexy?
After mastopexy, it is recommended that patients wear a supportive, non-underwire bra, often referred to as a surgical or compression bra. This type of bra can help reduce swelling, supports the breasts during healing, and enhances comfort. Other acceptable options include sports bras and soft bras that feature thick straps with a front opening. This type of bra is usually worn continuously for several weeks post-surgery.
After the initial recovery, it is also important to regularly wear a supportive bra to help combat gradual sagging commonly associated with the natural aging process. While there is no way to fully prevent breast sagging as you get older, a quality bra can help maintain breast lift results and a favorable bustline appearance for a longer period of time.
How Painful Is Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery is performed with anesthesia, helping to minimize pain a patient may feel during the procedure. During the recovery process, many patients experience mild to moderate discomfort, which can often be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
How Can I Reduce Swelling After Breast Lift Surgery?
Swelling is a common side effect following breast lift surgery. As you heal, swelling should gradually subside. A supportive post-operative bra can help manage swelling, facilitate healing, and maintain your new results. Swelling can also be controlled by avoiding sodium-heavy foods and drinks and instead following a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein. Additionally, it is recommended that patients remain hydrated to help promote a safe healing process.
If you are interested in the average price range for breast lift surgery or would like to learn about the plastic surgery financing options we offer, we encourage you to contact our friendly, knowledgeable team.