Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift is a procedure designed to rejuvenate the breasts by tightening loose skin and tissue, creating more youthful breast contours. Factors such as pregnancy, nursing, weight loss/gain, and the natural aging process can eventually cause the breasts to lose their firmness and shape over time. Most women notice changes in the appearance of their breasts at some point, with laxity and lost breast volume considered among the most common developments. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani, our plastic surgeon in Orlando, performs breast lift surgery to raise and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areolas if necessary.
Breast lift patients who want to enhance both firmness and size may choose to place breast implants at the same time as their procedure as well. Keep reading below to learn about the different types of breast lift surgery, information about candidacy, and more.
- What is a Breast Lift?
- Breast Lift Key Terms
- Breast Lift Benefits
- Breast Lift Candidates
- Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction
- Breast Lift Procedure
- Breast Lift Recovery
- Breast Lift Results
- Breast Lift Scars
- Breast Lift Cost
- Breast Lift and Breastfeeding
- Breast Lift Without Surgery
- Breast Lift After Weight Loss
- Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift
- Breast Lift Safety
- Breast Lift FAQs
What is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery, also known as “mastopexy,” is performed to enhance flat, stretched, or drooping breasts. Many women are dissatisfied with their breasts due to sagging tissue, enlarged nipples and areolas, loss of volume, asymmetry, and other factors. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can help address many of these concerns by elevating the breasts to a more youthful position and eliminating excess skin. Areolas can also be made smaller and repositioned to sit more centrally. Regardless of your cosmetic goals, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can provide advice and guidance tailored to your needs. It’s important to note that mastopexy is primarily designed to improve the breast shape and achieve more defined breast contours. This surgery cannot enlarge the size of the breasts alone, but patients can opt to add breast implants if additional volume is desired.
Key Breast Lift Terms to Know
While you’re researching the breast lift procedure, it’s not uncommon to come across certain terms that you may not recognize or be familiar with. Our team has found that a strong foundation of patient education prior to surgery generally tends to enhance overall satisfaction after the procedure, so we encourage you to learn more about the key terms typically associated with mastopexy:
- Nipple-areola complexes: The darker pigmented skin surrounding the nipple, which tends to stretch and elongate as you age — particularly with pregnancy and weight fluctuations.
- Inframammary crease: The natural breast fold, where the lower breast meets the chest wall.
- Pendulousness: Swinging or hanging down freely. “Pendulous” breasts are often a primary indication that a patient may benefit from breast lift surgery.
- Skin elasticity: Refers to the quality of the skin. Over time, the breast skin loses its elasticity — which refers to the skin’s ability to stretch and “snap” back into place. A breast lift is commonly utilized to treat skin and tissue inelasticity causing the breasts to look stretched.
Your consultation will be an opportunity for you to discuss every aspect of the procedure with Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani, who can answer any questions or concerns you may have about a breast lift or our other breast surgery options.
What Can a Breast Lift Accomplish?
A breast lift is one of the most popular and effective procedures to rejuvenate the breast shape after changes caused by aging, pregnancy, nursing, or weight fluctuation. These events can cause the tissues to stretch and lose elasticity, reducing the skin’s ability to contract tightly around the breast contours. Mastopexy can repair these anatomical changes and achieve goals such as:
- Lifting the breasts to a more youthful and “perky” positioning
- Reducing breast sag and restoring more shapely contours
- Improving elongated or stretched areolas
- Firming breasts that look flat, soft, or “deflated”
Although the results of a breast lift can be powerful, mastopexy is not designed to add breast volume or increase the size of the breasts. Placing implants as part of your breast lift procedure can be an optimal treatment plan to improve ptosis and enlarge the breast size.
Who Is A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?
A breast lift can be ideal for individuals who want a more youthful look in their breasts and who can maintain positive expectations for the outcome. During your consultation, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will closely review your medical history and overall goals to help determine whether mastopexy is the best type of breast surgery for your needs. In addition to being in generally good health and a non-smoker, patients considering breast lift surgery should have mild, moderate, or severe breast ptosis (droop) and a desire for a fuller, more rejuvenated appearance in this area. If you’re unsure whether you exhibit breast drooping, the following section can provide you with a brief primer on the various grades of ptosis that can be treated with a breast lift.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction
Mastopexy and breast reduction surgery both reshape the breasts in similar ways, but the two procedures differ with relation to the concerns they seek to address, as well as the overall goals of surgery. Breast reduction is performed to treat overly large breasts or macromastia, which is the medical term for an excessively large breast size. Large breasts can sometimes appear disproportionately to the rest of a patient’s body frame, potentially causing a myriad of symptoms that range from back and shoulder pain to skin chafing and reduced mobility. Breast reduction is mostly performed to alleviate the burdens caused by large breasts, restoring a more proportionate and manageable breast size.
On the other hand, breast lift surgery is simply meant to achieve tighter, more youthful breast contours by reshaping the breasts. While both procedures remove excess skin, glandular tissue, and fat, mastopexy is not performed with the goal of decreasing the breast size or addressing painful symptoms — as is usually the case with breast reduction. The only way to fully determine the most beneficial procedure for you is to discuss your concerns with a plastic surgeon.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAST LIFT?
Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani performs a range of breast lift (mastopexy) techniques, each with their own benefits and advantages. Some patients may be experiencing more subtle signs of breast ptosis (sagginess in the breasts), and may therefore need less invasive breast lift surgery to attain their goals. Others may be experiencing more severe signs of breast sagginess, and could require a more invasive breast lift technique to meet their needs.
The following breast lift techniques are some of the options Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani offers for his patients. During your initial consultation, he will discuss the various techniques with you and help you determine which may be the best option for you.
Crescent Mastopexy (Half-Moon Incision)
Crescent Mastopexy is often ideal for women who only have mild breast sagging. This is the least invasive mastopexy technique, and is typically a good option for women who have excess skin in the top portion of the breasts. An incision resembling a half-moon shape will be made on the upper part of the areola (the dark-pigmented area surrounding the nipple). Extra skin and tissue is removed, and once the incision is sutured together, the breasts can look more firm and youthful. Crescent Mastopexy can be combined with breast augmentation to provide you with added volume in addition to more youthful-looking breasts.
Peri-Areolar (Doughnut) Mastopexy
Commonly known as a Doughnut Mastopexy, a Peri-Areolar breast lift involves incisions made around the areola, followed by the removal of excess skin. The nipples are then moved to a higher position. This gives the breasts a firmer, more “perky” appearance. A Doughnut Mastopexy can be very effective for women who have slight asymmetry in the appearance of the breasts and/or nipples. This procedure is not ideal for patients who are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. Breast implants can be combined with Peri-Areolar Mastopexy for added fullness in the breasts.
“Lollipop” Mastopexy
Also called a Vertical Mastopexy, a “Lollipop Breast Lift” can be an ideal technique for patients who exhibit moderate to severe ptosis or who have a large breast size. The procedure is named after the incision pattern placed during surgery, which resembles a keyhole or lollipop shape. The incision encircles the borders of the areola and extends downward toward the breast fold. Through this incision, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can remove excess skin and breast tissue while tightening the breasts. A Vertical Breast Lift is typically recommended for women who have significant breast sag, but who may not need a full mastopexy procedure.
Full Mastopexy – Anchor/Wise Pattern/Inverted T-incision
A Full Mastopexy is designed to improve significant signs of drooping and sagging in the breasts. It is the most traditional breast lift technique. Also known as an Anchor Mastopexy, a Wise Pattern Mastopexy, and an Inverted T-Incision Mastopexy, this procedure involves anchor-shaped incisions that begin around the areola and follow down to the breast crease and along the breast fold. Next, excess skin and tissue are removed and the bustline is tightened and lifted. The nipple and areola are moved to a higher position, and the surrounding skin is brought down to reshape and firm up the breasts.
Breast Lift with Implants (Breast Augmentation Mastopexy)
Regardless of the mastopexy technique used, adding breast implants to the procedure can provide a more comprehensive rejuvenation for women who wish to increase the volume and improve the overall shape of the breasts in addition to a lift. This custom-tailored breast surgery combines the benefits of a breast lift with the benefits of breast augmentation for a fuller overall shape and more youthful breast position.
Learn More About Breast Lift with Implants (Breast Augmentation Mastopexy)
What Is Recovery Like For A Breast Lift?
All breast lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia and usually take one and a half to three and a half hours to complete. Some techniques may take less time, depending on each patient’s unique physical needs.
After breast lift, your breasts will have gauze dressings and a supportive bra will be applied. You can expect to experience swelling, bruising, and some minor discomfort after your breast lift procedure, but these side effects will subside within a few days. Medication will be provided to help manage post-operative discomfort. Although you should get plenty of rest during the initial healing process, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani encourages light walking and ambulation as soon as you feel up for it in order to improve blood flow. Exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity are prohibited for at least four to six weeks or according to Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani’s instructions. Most patients are able to return to non-strenuous work within one to two weeks, depending on each patient’s unique rate of healing. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani and his staff will give you detailed instructions for resuming normal activities.
How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?
Although nothing can stop the natural aging process, the outcome of a breast lift is designed to last well into the future. The procedure is performed to achieve long-term results, and patients who received a breast lift will generally always have a more youthful breast shape than individuals of a similar age who did not have surgery. That said, factors like pregnancy or breastfeeding after mastopexy, as well as significant changes in a patient’s weight, can increase tissue laxity and shorten the longevity of your results. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani recommends undergoing a breast lift only after you’ve reached a stable weight and do not plan to have additional children. Aesthetically, this can be the best way to help ensure your rejuvenation lasts as long as possible.
What will my scars look like?
We offer a wide range of mastopexy techniques, and the one chosen for your needs and goals will determine where your incisions are placed. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani makes every effort to ensure your scars will be as inconspicuous as possible; however, they may never completely disappear. Most women are so happy with their results they report no dissatisfaction with the marks, which typically heal well and become fairly unnoticeable. If you like, we can also provide some advice on how to help the healing process to minimize scarring.
Can I Breastfeed After A Breast Lift?
Although breastfeeding after mastopexy is absolutely possible, it is generally advisable to postpone your breast surgery until after you are finished with nursing and childbearing. The physical changes that accompany pregnancy and nursing often include lost breast volume and stretched breast skin, aesthetic concerns that can cause recurrent breast sag and potentially reverse the results achieved from a breast lift.
The best way to maximize your chances of preserving lactating function after a breast lift is to openly communicate your desire for future breastfeeding with your surgeon. Depending on your needs, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can determine whether breastfeeding is possible with the type of lift you require. If the answer is yes, he can tailor your surgical plan to preserve the milk ducts and nerves as much as possible. However, it should be noted that if you were unable to breastfeed before surgery, a breast lift will not change this outcome.
Is a Non-Surgical Breast Lift Possible?
Women who seek to rejuvenate their breasts often wonder whether surgery is the only method to achieve comparable results to a breast lift. While there are many products, creams, and exercises that may claim to firm and elevate the breasts, there is currently no non-surgical solution to replicate the outcome attained by mastopexy surgery. There are a number of exercises that can tone the pectoral (chest) muscles, but these efforts cannot resolve the breast tissue loss and lax breast skin that result in the appearance of sag. In fact, substantial weight loss and weight fluctuation may contribute to breast ptosis (drooping). For women who desire noticeable breast enhancement, a breast lift is typically considered an effective and reliable treatment to firm, raise, and reshape the breasts for a long-lasting outcome.
Mastopexy After Weight Loss
Whether through dieting and exercise or bariatric surgery, many women who previously lost a significant amount of weight struggle with breasts that appear stretched, flat, or “deflated” following their accomplishment. It’s not uncommon for the breasts to lose elasticity after major weight loss, meaning the skin and glandular tissue do not “snap back” to accommodate their new breast contours. Breast lift surgery is a common solution to remove excess skin and attain a tighter, smoother, and more rejuvenated look in the breasts. In fact, mastopexy is often performed in conjunction with other post-bariatric treatment options to resolve hanging skin after weight loss. A surgical plan after weight loss is completely tailored to your unique needs, and commonly includes procedures such as abdominoplasty, neck contouring, and more.
Should I Combine My Breast Lift With A Tummy Tuck?
Factors like pregnancy, nursing, gravity, genetics, and the natural aging process often physically alter the abdomen as much as the breasts, making a combination surgery involving a tummy tuck plus breast lift surgery a very popular treatment option. Patients frequently choose both procedures as part of their Mommy Makeover, a series of enhancements designed to restore an individual’s pre-pregnancy figure. This decision is yours alone to make, but if you wish to combine your mastopexy with a tummy tuck to comprehensively enhance your body contour, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can develop a surgical plan to achieve both enhancements during one operation. Depending on your unique needs, these treatments typically achieve a slimmer, firmer, and tighter abdominal profile in addition to a more projected and shapely breast aesthetic.
Is a Breast Lift Safe?
With new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) confirming that the number of breast lifts performed has grown 70 percent since 2000, mastopexy has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available. Not only is a breast lift extremely effective in rejuvenating the breast contours, but surgery is considered safe and predictable with a plethora of clinical results to support its validity. That said, a breast lift is only as safe as the level of experience and training offered by your plastic surgeon. A qualified breast lift surgeon should be board-certified by the ASPS, which indicates additional training in aesthetic surgery beyond the bare minimum required to practice. Orlando patients who are under the care of a board-certified plastic surgeon can feel confident knowing their surgeon has undergone extensive experience in breast surgery and passed rigorous examinations to demonstrate their expertise.
Additional Breast Lift Faqs
Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani has answered several of the most frequently asked questions about breast lift surgery to help our patients determine which procedure can best suit their needs and goals. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to our skilled medical team for additional information.
Will mastopexy make my breasts smaller?
Depending on the unique details of your treatment plan, breast lift surgery could lead to a reduction in breast tissue and size. If you would like to remain the same size or larger, or if you would like fuller, firmer breasts, implants can often help you achieve these goals. The latest breast implants offer the most natural-looking and feeling results yet, and there are a multitude of options available.
Can I get a breast lift without implants?
Absolutely. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is extensively trained in performing breast lift surgery without the use of implants, and he will personalize your treatment to optimize your outcome. Some women will experience a reduction in breast size after a mastopexy, although not all will. Our board certified plastic surgeon will provide details if this applies to you and give you a better idea what to expect from the result so you can make an informed decision about your care.
When can I return to my regular routine?
Recovery will be a little bit different for each patient. That said, most women will take about two weeks off from work and their regular schedule. This time frame may be adjusted if you receive more than one procedure at a time, such as tummy tuck surgery or another surgical treatment. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will go over what to expect during this period and provide post-operative instructions. Even after you return to your typical routine, you should avoid strenuous exercise and other intense activities for at least the first four to six weeks. Several follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your healing process, and we encourage you to ask any questions you may have. Bruising, tenderness, and swelling are normal and should subside with time. Usually after about a couple of months you should have a good idea of the final outcome.
Will insurance cover breast lift surgery?
As a cosmetic procedure, a breast lift isn’t covered under most insurance plans. However, our practice does accept financing plans through CareCredit® for those who prefer a more incremental method of payment. Qualified patients can choose which payment plan works best with their budgetary concerns and proceed with treatment right away, rather than paying up front in a lump sum. Most individuals find this can make out-of-pocket costs more affordable, especially since CareCredit® provides approved applicants with some no-interest options.
Is a breast lift painful?
While not normally described as painful, the sensations felt during recovery are typically akin to tenderness, soreness, numbness, and swelling around the breasts and incision sites. Any discomfort experienced can be managed by oral pain medication and should eventually subside.
How can I reduce swelling after a breast lift?
Swelling is a normal and expected part of the healing process, but there are a few tips that can further decrease inflammation as it naturally resolves. Be sure to wear compression garments as instructed to promote blood flow, protect your incisions, and help support your new breast contours. In addition, limit consumption of salt and alcohol and try to increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods, such as pineapple, leafy greens, and citrus fruits. As always, plenty of rest with light walks taken periodically can help encourage a speedier recovery period.
What type of bra should I wear after breast lift surgery?
During recovery, patients should avoid wearing a bra with an underwire for at least eight weeks, or until Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani tells you otherwise. The best bra to wear is typically a sports bra with a closed front and wide straps.
How can I prevent future breast sag?
Breast tissue naturally becomes lax as a result of the aging process and other factors, but the chances of recurrent breast sag can be minimized by pursuing a breast lift after there are no future plans for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or substantial weight loss.
Breast lift can correct a drooping bustline and restore your curves to their youthful beauty. If you would like to learn more about breast lift, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Centre today.