Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is a popular breast enhancement procedure designed to improve the appearance of breasts affected by sagging, excess skin. This “drooping” of the breasts is medically referred to as breast ptosis and is very common among women. It is often caused by the natural aging process, pregnancy and/or breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or gravity. A breast lift from our board-certified plastic surgeon, Jason Lichten, MD, can quite literally lift the breasts to a higher and “perkier” position on the chest, create firmer and smoother skin, and produce a more youthful breast profile.
Breast Lift At a Glance
- Potential Benefits:
- Breast lift surgery can reduce signs of breast sagging and drooping by removing excess skin, tightening the remainder, and lifting the breasts to a more youthful position. This treatment can ultimately create firmer and smoother breasts in addition to improved contours and a “perkier” aesthetic.
- Candidacy:
- Women who are experiencing noticeable signs of breast ptosis and are in good overall health are often ideal candidates for breast lift surgery.
- Procedure:
- Breast lift surgery is usually an outpatient procedure with no need to stay overnight at a hospital. Patients will require general anesthesia for this treatment.
- Recovery:
- Patients should plan for at least one week of recovery at home before resuming work and other daily routines. Temporary side effects such as bruising and swelling in the breast areas following surgery should fade during the healing process. Patients can typically resume strenuous activity and return to the gym after 4-6 weeks.
- Follow-Up Care:
- Dr. Lichten will schedule follow-up appointments to examine the breasts and evaluate the progression of healing.
- Surgeon:
- Dr. Lichten is an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has successfully performed thousands of breast surgeries. Breast enhancement is an area of special focus at Dr. Lichten’s practice, and he customizes breast lift procedures to each patient’s unique needs, goals, and anatomical characteristics. Additionally, it is important to note that Dr. Lichten has always espoused a fully dedicated approach to patient care. He will personally conduct all breast lift consultations, as well as follow-up appointments, and serve as a collaborative partner throughout all steps of the treatment process.
Explore Topics On This Page:
- What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery?
- Am I a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
- Breast Lift Before-and-After Photos
- What Does the Breast Lift Procedure Involve?
- What Can I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?
- Complementary Procedures
- How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
- How Do I Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon for Breast Lift Procedures?
“I never felt rushed, or like a ‘number.’ [Dr. Lichten is] truly a very nice guy and [he takes his] time with the patients and works with them. That is rare to find.”
What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery?
If you are experiencing signs of breast ptosis (drooping), breast lift surgery offers an array of benefits that can successfully correct that concern. This procedure is capable of:
- Dramatically improving the appearance of sagging, drooping breasts
- Enhancing breast contour and shape
- Lifting the breasts and nipples higher on the chest wall for a more youthful breast projection
- Repositioning the nipples to a more centralized location on the breasts
- Reducing the size of the nipples and areolas (if requested)
Breast lift surgery can be a remarkably effective way to rejuvenate the breasts as a standalone procedure, or it can be combined with breast augmentation or other cosmetic surgery options for more comprehensive aesthetic renewal. Dr. Lichten will be happy to discuss your goals with you and provide recommendations based on your needs.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery include women who are in generally good health and would like to improve signs of breast ptosis that is producing a noticeable sagging effect in the breasts. If you are planning on having children or losing a large amount of weight in the future, Dr. Lichten will likely advise you to wait until your family is complete before undergoing a breast lift since pregnancy and breastfeeding may compromise the results.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Lichten will evaluate your breast tissue to determine whether you are experiencing a mild, moderate, or severe degree of ptosis. In general, the degrees of breast ptosis are measured as follows:
Pseudoptosis: This milder form of ptosis is typically characterized by the lower areas of the breasts falling beneath the inframammary fold (the crease where the breasts meet the chest), with the nipples remaining above the fold.
Grade I: The breasts are descending below the inframammary fold, but the nipples remain at the level of the fold.
Grade II: Both the breasts and nipples are sagging below the inframammary fold, but the nipples have not yet reached the lowest point.
Grade III: Both the breasts and nipples are showing significant signs of drooping below the inframammary fold, with the nipples typically pointing in a downward trajectory.
Once Dr. Lichten examines you and determines your level of breast ptosis, he can talk with you about specific breast lift techniques and create a customized treatment plan capable of achieving your goals with beautiful, natural-looking results.
Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy) Before-and-After Photos
“I would gladly send anyone to you … you have a great bedside manner and take your time explaining things and ensure all questions are answered. I never felt rushed, or like a “number.” I just felt a better connection and more at ease with you. I will definitely have plenty of nice things to say to people about you. You are truly a very nice guy and you take your time with the patients and works with them. That is rare to find.”
What Does the Breast Lift Procedure Involve?
Breast lift surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis and will require general anesthesia. There are several surgical techniques that can be utilized for this procedure, and the one that is right for you will largely be determined by the degree of ptosis you are experiencing. For instance: milder cases of ptosis may necessitate only a minimal amount of breast lifting with incisions primarily created around the areolas. For moderate and severe ptosis, more extensive lifting may be necessary, and the traditional technique in those cases involves an incision made around the areolas and down to the inframammary fold (the crease along the underside of the breast). Once the incisions are made, Dr. Lichten will remove excess breast tissue and skin, relocate the nipples and areolas to a higher position, and tighten the remaining skin for firmer results and a more youthful contour.
The extent of scars resulting from breast lift surgery will depend on the particular surgical technique utilized during the procedure. It should be noted that, while there will be scars after a breast lift, they should fade to a certain extent over time and can be well-concealed under clothing, including bras and swimwear.
What Can I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?
The recovery process after a breast lift is somewhat different for each patient based on their unique healing response; however, most individuals will need a minimum of one week’s rest at home before resuming work and other daily activities. While swelling and bruising in the treatment areas are common following breast lift surgery, these side effects should dissipate as the breasts heal. Medication can help control any discomfort during recovery. Dr. Lichten will provide detailed post-operative instructions that can maximize the chances of a safe and smooth healing process.
Breast Lift Complementary Procedures
Breast lift surgery can provide significant rejuvenation on its own, or it can be combined with breast augmentation if you are also considering the possibility of enlarging the size of the breasts. Additionally, many patients choose to add liposuction and/or tummy tuck surgery to their breast lift procedure. Some individuals wish to undergo a full mommy makeover that includes those selections or others for a more comprehensive body rejuvenation. Facial plastic surgery options or even a non-surgical treatment such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal filler injections can also complement the results of a breast lift procedure to address additional aesthetic concerns. Dr. Lichten will talk with you about your goals during the initial consultation and help you determine the best options for your needs.
How Do I Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon for Breast Lift Procedures?
While the results of any plastic surgery procedure can never be guaranteed, you can certainly increase the chances of satisfactory outcomes by choosing a surgeon with the necessary experience and qualifications to perform a breast lift procedure. When conducting your research, it is best to look for surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and can prove that certification. Membership in respected organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) can also serve as a strong indication that the prospective plastic surgeon is extensively trained and educated in the field of plastic surgery and is committed to keeping up with the latest developments in surgical cosmetic enhancement.
Dr. Lichten holds both of these credentials and many others. He has proven again and again throughout his career to be a dedicated plastic surgeon with a strong record of exemplary results. To learn more about Dr. Lichten’s background and history, please feel free to take a look at his professional resumé.
