Breast Lift

Breasts can lose their volume and shape due to pregnancy, weight loss, and the natural aging process. Sagging may also be genetic. Whatever the cause, a breast lift at The LoVerme Center for Plastic Surgery performed by our board-certified plastic surgeon—Dr. Paul LoVerme—can help to reverse those effects. Breast lift, or mastopexy, can recontour the breasts and literally lift them to create a firmer, more youthful and perkier silhouette.

To learn more about breast lift surgery, please explore the informative sections provided below:

• What Is Breast Lift Surgery?
• Benefits of Breast Lift
• Breast Lift Candidates
• Breast Lift & Complementary Procedures
• Breast Lift with Augmentation
• Breast Lift Procedure
• Breast Lift Recovery
• Breast Lift Scars
• Breast Lift Results
• Breast Lift Cost
• Additional FAQs

What Is Breast Lift Surgery?

Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is a plastic surgery procedure that can elevate the position of drooping breasts, while also improving shape and symmetry. This procedure is often ideal for women whose breasts have changed with age and/or pregnancies. For added volume, breast implants can be added during the breast lift procedure (augmentation mastopexy). 

What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery? 

A breast lift is often the ideal procedure for women with breasts that have begun to sag or droop, and can include benefits such as:
 

• Eliminating excess skin
• Elevating the breasts to a more youthful position
• Repositioning the nipple to a more central location
• Achieving a firmer and perkier appearance 

Who Is a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?

Women considering breast lift surgery should first be in good health and have reasonable expectations for the outcome that can be achieved. Dr. LoVerme encourages any woman who is concerned about the drooping or deflated appearance of her breasts to come in for a consultation so that he can design a customized treatment plan aimed at creating a more youthful looking bustline. The consultation process includes a physical examination, a medical history review, a discussion of cosmetic concerns, and an overview of your desired results. If you are a candidate for surgery, Dr. LoVerme will explain the breast lift techniques that can deliver optimal results and set your expectations for surgery, recovery, and your final outcome.

Can Breast Lift Be Combined with Other Procedures?

While breast lift surgery can effectively reshape and contour the breasts, patients who have also experienced volume loss may benefit from a breast lift combined with placement of implants. Many patients choose to combine breast lift surgery with liposuction or abdominoplasty. Breast lift is also one of the many procedures we offer as part of our Mommy Makeover for patients desiring body renewal after pregnancy.

There are many styles of breast lifts and Dr. LoVerme has expertise in all of them. There are certain types that may be better for the particular anatomy or shape that you have. A breast lift can also reshape the breasts and can be combined with liposuction of the sides of the breasts (“bra fat”), or even fat grafting to improve fullness in the upper part of the breasts.

What Is a Breast Augmentation with Lift?

Though breast augmentation is used to create fuller breasts for women, the insertion of a breast implant will not address issues of skin or fat laxity due to the natural aging process, or an excess of skin after pregnancy or significant weight loss. For patients seeking fuller breasts in addition to countering the effects of pregnancy, breastfeeding, dramatic weight loss, or age, Dr. Paul LoVerme combines the breast augmentation procedure with a breast lift (mastopexy). Together, these two procedures can add volume, improve breast symmetry, raise a descended nipple, reduce the areolar size, and yield a more complete rejuvenation of the breasts for a younger, healthy appearance.

What Happens During the Breast Lift Procedure?

Dr. LoVerme combines art and science to give you the most natural-looking results with only minimal scarring. Techniques vary and can include:
 

• A Peri-Areolar or “donut” mastopexy, which utilizes only one incision around the areola.
• An Inverted-T or anchor-shaped mastopexy, which utilizes an incision around the areola that extends to the lower pole of the breast, as well as along the breast crease.
• A short incision or “lollipop” mastopexy, which utilizes an incision around the areola that extends down to the breast crease.

During the consultation process, Dr. Paul LoVerme will perform a physical exam, review your medical history, discuss your unique cosmetic concerns, and help you make an informed decision about undergoing surgery.

Breast lift surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and sedation, or general anesthesia. After the initial incision, Dr. LoVerme will remove the excess skin (or save it for the Internal Bra procedure) that causes the breasts to droop. He will then re-shape the breasts with internal sutures and move the nipples to a higher position to ensure a more natural and beautiful appearance. Only after the breasts are balanced and lifted, Dr. LoVerme will close the incisions.

What Can I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?

Although temporary swelling and bruising are common during recovery, most patients are able to return to their normal routines after a few days. Any discomfort can be easily managed with oral pain medication. Rigorous activity and exercise may be resumed about one month after surgery.

Will I Have Scars After Breast Lift Surgery?

The placement of the incisions for breast lift surgery vary from patient to patient, depending upon their goals and unique anatomy. Regardless of which technique is used, Dr. LoVerme will aim to keep potential scarring as minimal as possible, while pursuing maximum improvement in breast shape, positioning, and overall appearance. Over time and with proper care, the prominence of any post-surgical scarring should smooth and fade considerably.

Can I See Some Breast Lift Surgery Results?

Are you curious about the success of Dr. LoVerme’s breast lift patients? Visit our photo gallery to see before-and-after images of our breast lift cases.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

Since each breast lift procedure is custom-tailored to meet the patient’s unique needs, there is no set cost for every surgery. The price of a breast lift is impacted by a number of factors, including the degree of excess tissue, surgical technique, doctor and anesthesia fees, and any post-operative medications. Patients who could benefit from low-to-no interest loans with low monthly payments may benefit from our financing options.

Additional Breast Lift FAQs

It is common for women who are considering breast lift surgery to ask Dr. LoVerme many questions about the procedure. To help you learn more about breast lift, we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below:

Q: Can chest exercises reverse sagging of the breasts?

A: Sagging is typically caused by one or a combination of many factors, including significant weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, the natural aging process, or gravity. Though some exercises may help tone the chest muscles under and around the breasts, only breast lift surgery can eliminate the loose skin that is mainly responsible for a droopy appearance. Furthermore, whereas exercises cannot not alter the shape of the breasts, breast lift surgery can recontour the breasts for a firmer, more youthful appearance.

Q: Will I still be able to breastfeed after a breast lift?

A: Research suggests that women who can breastfeed before cosmetic breast surgery have little to no risk of losing the ability to do so after surgery. In addition, Dr. LoVerme can choose a breast lift incision technique (and breast implant placement, if augmentation is desired) that can further decrease any potential risk of developing breastfeeding complications. If you are planning to have more children in the future, it is best to discuss these goals with Dr. LoVerme during the consultation.

Q: When should I choose to combine breast implants with a breast lift?

A: Breast lift surgery is designed to eliminate excess skin and tissue to reposition the breasts for a more youthful appearance. If sagging is your main cosmetic concern, breast lift surgery may adequately achieve your goals. However, if you have experienced a loss of overall breast volume, as well as sagging, a breast lift with augmentation may be the better option. During the consultation process, Dr. LoVerme will help you decide which procedure can best meet your needs.

Q: What is “natural” breast augmentation?

A: For patients who choose breast lift with augmentation, fat grafting techniques can add volume with exceptionally natural results. Breast augmentation with fat transfer works by redistributing the body’s fat cells for a more contoured figure. Excess fat is first harvested from a donor site with liposuction. The fat cells are then purified before being reintroduced to the body via injection. This technique allows patients to choose a smaller implant or sometimes forgo an implant altogether.

If you would like to learn more about breast lift surgery, we invite you to contact the LoVerme Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. LoVerme.