Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

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Breast Lift (Mastopexy) PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts. Breast ptosis, or sagging, can be influenced by many changes throughout a woman’s life, such as a loss of elasticity due to aging, hormonal changes from pregnancy, lifestyle factors, and even genetics. (1) These changes can cause the breast tissue and skin to stretch, resulting in a loss of self-esteem for many. Breast lift surgery can help each patient restore the shape and firmness of their breasts, helping them regain confidence in their body.

If you find yourself unsatisfied with the position or shape of your breasts and want to restore a more rejuvenated, youthful-looking silhouette, look no further than the PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery! As one of Tampa’s leading aesthetic practices, our team has helped thousands of patients achieve their desired figure. Whether you are interested in a subtle enhancement or dramatic transformation, our team is happy to help and support you each step of the way.

To schedule your personal consultation, please submit our online contact form or call our office at (813) 400-1465.

About Breast Lifts

Breast lifts are a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reposition and lift the breasts to restore a more rejuvenated, youthful-looking appearance. During the procedure, excess skin is removed and the underlying tissue is reshaped and tightened to re-contour the breasts. This procedure has gained immense popularity in recent years and was the fourth most-performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the country in 2023, with over 150,000 procedures performed. (2)

Breast Lift Benefits

Patients can experience a variety of benefits when opting for a breast lift. These benefits may include:

  • Enhanced Contours: A breast lift helps restore a more youthful-looking appearance in the breasts, alleviating sagging for a more sculpted bust.
  • Areola Repositioning: The surgeon can reshape and reposition the nipple-areolar complex for better symmetry and more desirable aesthetics.
  • Improved Confidence: Women often report increased self-esteem, confidence, and body positivity after their procedure.
  • Better Fitting Clothing: Many women find that their clothes look and fit better after a breast lift, enabling more freedom and comfort when it comes to fashion.
  • Customizable Treatment Options: Each procedure is tailored to meet the needs and anatomy of the patient.
  • Long-Lasting Results: With proper maintenance, the results of a breast lift can last for years, empowering patients to enjoy their figure for years to come.

To learn more about the benefits you can experience after receiving a breast lift, please submit our online contact form or call our Tampa office at (813) 400-1465.

Suitable Candidates

Ideal candidates for a breast lift primarily consist of women who wish to improve the appearance and positioning of their breasts without altering their volume. Patients may be experiencing sagging or drooping breasts due to aging, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy. Candidates may also be experiencing malpositioned or downward-pointed nipples, as well as areolas that sit below the breast crease.

All candidates interested in a breast lift should be in good overall health, without any underlying medical conditions that may impair healing. It is also important that patients hold realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can accomplish. Patients should be nonsmokers or willing to discontinue their nicotine use until fully healed. Women should also be done planning their family, as pregnancy can alter the results of the procedure. The surgeon will determine each patient’s candidacy during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

Anyone interested in revitalizing the appearance of their breasts will need to schedule a personal consultation at our office in Tampa, Florida. This consultation is not only a chance for our surgeon to meet each patient, but also to create a personalized treatment plan that helps them achieve their goals. The surgeon will ask each patient about their medical history, medications, concerns, and desired results before evaluating their anatomy and breast condition. The gathered information will be used to help plan each patient’s procedure. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and raise any concerns they may have about their breast lift, as this consultation is designed to be informative and collaborative.

To schedule your personal consultation, please submit our online contact form. To speak to a team member or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call (813) 400-1465.

Additionally, we offer virtual consultations for out-of-state and international patients.

Preparation

Preparation for a breast lift may vary between patients depending on the details of their treatment plan and their lifestyle habits. The surgeon will provide each individual with a set of personalized pre-operative instructions during their consultation.

Certain medications and herbal supplements that contain blood-thinning properties will need to be avoided throughout each patient’s procedure and recovery. These include medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen, as well as supplements such as fish oil and vitamin E. Consuming alcohol should be avoided several days before the procedure, but smoking should be completely ceased several weeks in advance, with patients discontinuing nicotine use until fully healed. Time away from work should also be arranged, as well as transportation home from the procedure.

Procedure

Each patient’s procedure will begin with the cleansing of their skin before general anesthesia is administered to ensure their comfort throughout their procedure. The surgeon will then use one of three incision techniques to begin the breast lift. (3) The technique used in the procedure will be predetermined during each patient’s consultation. These placements include:

  • Donut Incision: Also known as the circumareolar incision, this technique places a single incision around the outside perimeter of the areola. This technique is reserved for milder cases of ptosis.
  • Lollipop Incision: This technique places two incisions; one around the perimeter of the areola, and one that extends vertically downward towards the breast crease. This technique is reserved for more moderate amounts of ptosis, and may also be called the vertical mastopexy.
  • Anchor Incision: The anchor incision is reserved for patients with more significant levels of ptosis and provides the most extensive corrections. Also commonly referred to as the Wise pattern, this technique builds on the two incision placements in the lollipop incision with a third incision that extends horizontally along the breast crease.

After the incisions have been made, the surgeon will reshape and reposition the breasts for a more youthful-looking sculpt. If desired, the surgeon can also reshape or reduce the size of the patient’s areolas to create a more proportionate and symmetrical appearance. The surgeon will excise excess tissue before redraping the skin. Each incision will be carefully sutured shut, and the patient will be cared for by our team as the anesthesia wears off. The duration of each breast lift can vary, but patients can expect their treatment to last approximately 2-3 hours.

Recovery

Each patient’s recovery timeline will vary depending on several factors, including which breast lift technique is being employed. Each patient will receive a set of post-operative instructions during their consultation to guide them through their recovery.

Following their procedure, each patient can expect to experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness in the breasts. These effects are temporary and will dissipate on their own, but can be managed with the use of pain medications approved by our team. The surgeon will provide a supportive bra for the patient to wear throughout their recovery, which will help minimize swelling and protect their new contours.

Most patients can return to work within one week, but should still refrain from certain activities, such as physical exercise, for several weeks. The surgeon will let each patient know when they are able to resume full activities, and may also ask patients to attend follow-up appointments so that they can monitor their progress.

Results

Immediately after their appointment, patients may be able to see a difference in their chest, but the final results of their breast lift will become more noticeable as residual swelling subsides. It may initially appear that the breasts have been placed too high, but over time, the breasts will settle into a more natural position on the chest. Each patient will be able to experience their newly repositioned breasts, as well as an improvement in the overall breast firmness and shape. Additionally, patients can enjoy a more proportionate and desirable silhouette, leading to an enhancement in their self-esteem and confidence. The results of each patient’s breast lift are long-lasting, with patients experiencing their new contours for years. However, healthy lifestyle habits should be implemented to preserve their effects.

Corresponding Procedures

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery

There are many procedures that can be performed in addition to a breast lift, one of the most popular being our breast augmentation procedure. A breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that utilizes implants to increase the volume of the breasts. Breast implants can either be composed of silicone or saline, each with its own different advantages. When these procedures are performed together, it can also be called an augmentation mastopexy. Many patients choose to pair these two procedures to address both the positioning and the size of the breasts. Our accomplished surgeons can perform these two procedures in one appointment, reducing the patient’s overall recovery time while restoring their figure and confidence.

To learn more about the other procedures we offer, please read our blog!

Cost of a Breast Lift in Tampa, Florida

The cost of each breast lift can vary, as each procedure is tailored to address the patient’s concerns and physical anatomy. The surgeon will discuss and disclose an all-inclusive cost for each patient during their personal consultation, once a treatment plan has been established and agreed upon. Our practice is partnered with multiple reputable lending companies to offer financing for those who qualify.

To unlock the full cost of your breast lift procedure, please submit our online contact form or call (813) 400-1465.

FAQ

Is there an ideal age to receive a breast lift?

While there is no strict age requirement, most patients seeking breast lifts are between 30 to 69 years old.

Will a breast lift affect my ability to breastfeed?

While a breast lift may influence this ability, many women can still successfully breastfeed following the procedure. Any concerns should be discussed with the surgeon during your personal consultation.

How long does a breast lift take to perform?

A breast lift typically takes about 2-3 hours, and patients are usually discharged the same day.

What kind of anesthesia is used during a breast lift?

At the PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery, we use general anesthesia for our breast lift procedures to provide maximum comfort.

Can I combine a breast lift with another procedure for more comprehensive results?

Yes, patients are welcome to consider combining their breast lift with another procedure. For more information, you can discuss this option during your personal consultation or reach out to our office to speak to a member of our team.

References

  1. Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057
  2. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  3. Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610682/