Procedures/Breast Procedures/Breast Lift

Breast Lift

What Is Mastopexy?

Breast lift surgery (also called mastopexy) is commonly used to counter the effects of time, gravity, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. As women go through the natural changes brought about by age and the stages of motherhood, the breast tissue can begin to lose volume as the skin of the breasts loses elasticity. Our plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Cohen, can often use breast lift surgery to improve the firmness as well as the shape of the breasts.

Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Cohen can customize the breast lift procedure to achieve the cosmetic goals of each woman. Many of our patients who choose to undergo breast lift surgery seek to:

Reposition the breasts to eliminate “sagging”
Elevate the position of the nipples
Reduce the size of the areolas
Rejuvenate the appearance of the breasts after pregnancy
Achieve a more youthful or “perky” look

Women who have had one or more children often find that a mastopexy is able to rejuvenate the appearance of the breasts after changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, many women experience increased breast volume during pregnancy, which can stretch the skin of the breasts. After these women return to their normal weight and are no longer breastfeeding their children, the breasts may be left looking deflated or “droopy.” A breast lift can be performed alone to reverse these changes or incorporated into a comprehensive Mommy Makeover plan to maximize the impact of their results.

Candidates for Breast Lift Surgery

Most women choose to undergo breast lift surgery to improve the firmness and position of their breasts. Patients who also seek to restore lost volume or increase the size of the breasts may be better suited for breast augmentation. In some cases, Dr. Cohen may recommend combining these two procedures to fully achieve the patient’s cosmetic goals (a breast augmentation with lift).

Dr. Cohen advises women who are considering breast lift surgery to wait until they no longer plan to have anymore children before scheduling the procedure. While a pregnancy after breast lift surgery is considered safe for both the mother and the child, the bodily changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding will likely compromise the results of the procedure. Women who have another child after a breast lift may choose to schedule a secondary procedure to restore their results.

The Consultation

During the initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will take time to learn about your unique cosmetic goals and design a custom-tailored approach to your procedure. Throughout the process, he will keep you well-informed, enabling you to make educated decisions about your health and your treatment. Dr. Cohen aims to provide you with long-lasting results that meet your expectations, yielding results that both look and feel natural.

Outline of Typical Breast Lift Procedure

Duration of Surgery: 2-3 hours, depending upon technique
Anesthesia Type: General anesthesia
Hospital Status: Outpatient
Post-Operative: Mild soreness, sensitivity, swelling, or bruising
Surgical Risks: Blood clots or infection are among the risks of breast lift surgery; however, Dr. Cohen is a highly experienced plastic surgeon and employs techniques that can reduce the risk of these complications.
Duration of Recovery: One week before returning to work, four weeks of avoiding strenuous exercise, and several months for scars to fade.
Results: Results typically last for many years. Though a breast lift can help reverse some common signs of age and changes due to childbirth, results are not immune to aging, time, and gravity. Dr. Cohen can rejuvenate the shape of the breasts; however, breast size and the age of the patient will factor into the longevity of the results.

Breast Lift Recovery

Patients can expect mild swelling, soreness, and bruising immediately following breast lift surgery. Any discomfort can be easily managed with oral pain medication, and these side effects should dissipate quickly. Most patients resume their normal daily activities after one week. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise or lifting any heavy objects for about four weeks. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Cohen are scheduled to check that the healing process is going well and that no complications arise.

Cost of Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Cohen customizes each breast lift surgery to meet the patient’s needs and expectations. As a result, the cost of the procedure varies depending upon the specifics of the treatment plan. At our practice, the average cost of breast lift surgery ranges from $8,000 to $15,000. Factors that can influence the price of your breast lift may include:

Complexity of the surgical plan
Operating facility fees
Anesthesiologist fees
Experience of your plastic surgeon
Geographic location of the practice

At the conclusion of your initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your customized breast lift procedure. To help our patients comfortably afford the cost of their breast augmentation, our practice has partnered with third-party companies including ALPHAEON^™ Credit, BLIS^® Specialty Insurance, and CareCredit^®. Utilizing these plastic surgery financing options, qualifying patients can take advantage of low monthly payments with little to no interest. Please contact a member of our staff if you would like to learn more information about financing your breast lift.

Breast Lift and Augmentation

A breast lift is primarily designed to remove excess skin, improve the shape of the breasts, and elevate the breasts to a more youthful position. Some of our breast lift patients choose to combine their surgery with breast augmentation to restore lost volume in addition to rejuvenating the appearance of the breasts. This combination procedure is medically known as augmentation mastopexy. Breast implants can provide greater fullness and shape that cannot be achieved with breast lift surgery alone. Depending upon the patient’s unique needs, Dr. Cohen may recommend having these procedures performed simultaneously or in two stages. He will help you make an informed decision about which breast surgery option is best for you and your body during your initial consultation.

Contact Us

To learn more about how breast lift surgery can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.