Breast Lift Procedure

Lift and Reshape Sagging Breasts

Many women experience a loss of elasticity in the breast skin and a loss of breast volume over time. The force of gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding and possibly other factors cause the breasts to lose some of their firmness and begin to sag.

The breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure to lift and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure results in tighter skin, more support for the weight of the breast tissues and breasts that are more firm and shapely. A breast lift can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation or breast reduction. A breast lift can be performed on women with breasts of any size, but results usually last longer for women with smaller, lighter breasts.

Generally, the best candidates for a breast lift are women:

• Who are in good health.
• Who want to improve their appearance and have reasonable expectations.
• Who are 18 or older.
• Who are not pregnant or nursing.

The most common breast lift procedure uses an anchor-shaped incision to remove excess skin, move the nipple and areola to a higher position and reshape the breast. Procedures requiring less extensive incisions may be used for women with smaller breasts and who are not experiencing extensive sagging. One example is the concentric (or "doughnut") breast lift, in which a doughnut-shaped incision is made around the areola.

To determine if a breast lift is right for you, do your research, think carefully about your goals and expectations and discuss all of your options with your plastic surgeon. Women who are less than ideal candidates for various reasons can still usually get good results with a breast lift. Qualified and experienced plastic surgeons can frequently use their expertise to overcome many difficulties.

The majority of women who undergo a breast lift, or a lift with breast implants, successfully achieve an improved appearance and a boost to their self-image. If you are considering a breast lift, the most important thing you can do is locate a qualified plastic surgeon, discuss all of the factors that are relative to you in making your decision and work closely with your doctor throughout the process. Also see our section on choosing a plastic surgeon for how to choose a doctor who is right for you.