Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A woman’s breasts can change over time due to pregnancy, breast-feeding, weight fluctuations, and aging, and lose their youthful shape and firmness. A breast lift, or mastopexy, rejuvenates breasts, resulting in firmer breasts.
Before
After
Best Candidates for Breast Lift
Women who have sagging breasts are the best candidates for this surgery. Breasts that are saggy and have lost their firmness and elasticity, with low nipples and enlarged areolas, gain firmness through breast lift surgery. The breast is reshaped and the nipple and areola region are repositioned to create a natural and youthful appearance, while raising and lifting the breast.
Info on Breast Lift Procedure
Dr. Arnold Breitbart performs a breast lift with either incisions around the areola alone, or with incisions around the areola and towards the lower breast crease. These incisions result in the least noticeable scars. Some patients also desire breast augmentation, and, if indicated, breast implants can be placed during the procedure to provide more fullness. For breast lift surgery, patients receive either local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure.
Recovery from Breast Lift
For most patients, the recovery time after a breast lift is relatively short, with most patients returning to work and normal activity within a week, so long as heavy lifting or vigorous exercise is minimized. Healing will continue over the next several weeks, as the incisions continue to improve and activity would be unrestricted. Over the next few months, the breast shape continues to settle and scars fade.
Breast Lift Cost
The cost of your breast lift will depend on several factors, as this plastic surgery is customized to suit your needs. Someone with mild breast sagging may have a different price estimate than someone with significant breast ptosis (drooping) who is also getting breast implants. During your consultation at our Long Island or Manhattan offices, Dr. Breitbart will evaluate the state of your breasts and discuss your goals and medical history. He will give you a detailed quote for your breast lift.
Some factors that may influence breast lift cost include:
- Degree of breast ptosis
- Amount of skin that must be excised
- Areola repositioning
- Incorporating breast implants for added volume
Your breast lift quote includes appointments before and after your procedure, as well as breast support garments. Our office offers various financing options through Alphaeon Credit, CareCredit and other companies that specialize in helping patients pay for healthcare-related procedures and treatments through a payment plan.
What Patients Have to Say About Breast Lift with Dr. Breitbart
"I have had a very good experience with Dr. Breitbart during my procedure (breast lift with little breast reduction). I am almost at two months since the surgery, and I am very happy with the size/shape. My scars are still healing (and believe they will be for some time), but everything looks good, including shape/size of nipples."
"Breitbart allowed me to come in and see him whenever I had any anxieties, questions, or concerns, even if it wasn't time to see him yet. I very much appreciated these possibly unnecessary doctor visits. Makes a patient feel valued and safe!... HIGHLY RECOMMEND… Only regret? Should have done this sooner in life."
What Causes Breast Ptosis?
Breast sagging or drooping (ptosis) can be caused or exacerbated by many factors. Most women report some degree of ptosis after pregnancy, including changes in breast shape and reduced size. Other women sometimes report drooping and an increase in breast size. In addition to childbearing, factors such as significant weight fluctuation and the natural aging process can increase your risk for breast ptosis.
Breast ptosis comes in degrees, including:
- Grade 1: Mild breast drooping occurs when the nipple is positioned at the level of the inframammary fold or crease beneath the breast.
- Grade 2: Moderate sagging where the nipple is positioned below the breast crease.
- Grade 3: Severe breast ptosis where the nipple stretches beneath the inframammary fold to the lowest part of the breast.
Ptosis may cause the nipple to point downward instead of outward, and many women with breast ptosis experience volume loss in the upper pole (or portion) of the breast, creating a deflated, sloping appearance. Breast implants with a breast lift can restore upper pole fullness.
You can test the degree of your breast ptosis at home with the "pencil test" by placing a pencil in the fold under your breast. If the pencil stays in place when you let go with your hands, and your nipple is below the pencil, a breast lift is likely a good fit for your needs.
Types of Breast Lift and Incision Sites
The type of mastopexy you will have depends on the degree of breast ptosis. Our board-certified plastic surgeon will discuss your options and potential incision sites, including the resulting scars. As with all invasive procedures, lines at the incision site(s) are inevitable but will fade over time as you heal. Breast lift types include:
- Crescent Breast Lift: This technique is used for women with minimal breast sagging. A small incision is made in the edge of the areola (darker pigment around your nipple) around the top half, in the shape of a crescent. Crescent mastopexy is often used when combined with breast augmentation to increase volume and provide a perkier placement. Scars from a crescent lift can blend in with the areola.
- Periareolar Breast Lift: The periareolar mastopexy, or "donut lift," improves mild drooping. A circular incision is made around the entirety of the areola's edge and may be used when the procedure is combined with breast augmentation. The donut lift can reduce areola size and conceal the resulting scar at the edge of the pigmented tissue.
- Vertical Breast Lift: Also known as the "lollipop lift," this version of mastopexy is best for moderate breast ptosis. Incisions are made around the areola's edge, as well as vertically, running from the inframammary fold to the bottom of the areola, which makes the shape of a lollipop.
- Inverted "T" Breast Lift: The inverted "T" or "anchor lift" corrects severe breast ptosis for women with significant sagging and pendulous breast shape. Three incisions are used to excise a substantial amount of skin and breast tissue: One circular incision around the areola, one along the breast crease and another from the areola's bottom to the inframammary fold. The anchor mastopexy may be used if you have a breast reduction with the lift. This technique is generally used for only the most extreme cases of breast ptosis.
The lollipop and anchor lifts involve more scarring than other variations but are easily hidden by a bikini and will fade with appropriate care.
Breast Lift FAQs
Many patients choose breast lift surgery to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Breast lift surgery raises the breast, repositions the nipple area to a normal height, and improves the curvature of breasts for a more natural and youthful appearance. This significantly improves the areola region of the breast. For additional changes, patients can consider breast augmentation or reduction as necessary.
Yes. Many patients choose both procedures to add volume to their breasts, while raising them. Improved breast size and shape is immediately obvious after surgery and most patients experience increased confidence and satisfaction with the appearance of their breasts.
Most health insurance plans consider breast lift surgery to be cosmetic and do not cover this procedure. At your consultation, you will be given exact fees for the total cost of the surgery.
Breast lift surgery offers long lasting results, and patients derive great satisfaction from the improved appearance of their breasts. Breasts are affected by weight fluctuations and hence, maintaining good nutrition and fitness is important for the overall appearance of your breasts.