Breast lift guide

Alongside breast enhancement, breast lifts (also known as a mastopexy) are a hugely popular cosmetic procedure. During the operation, a plastic surgeon restructures breasts that have lost their original shape and are sagging by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

If you are considering undergoing breast lift surgery, please read the following guide which will tell you about preparing for surgery, the procedure itself and the results you can expect to achieve.

Reasons for having a breast lift

The main reason you may be considering undergoing a breast lift would be because you have noticed a distinctive droop in your bust line. This could be due to any of the following reasons:

Age – over time skin loses its natural elasticity and the pull of gravity means your breasts are far less perkier than they were in your youth. Although there are plenty of great uplift bras on the market, for many women this might not be enough either physically or psychologically.
Weight loss or gain – when a considerable amount of weight is gained and then lost, this will likely cause breast tissue to droop. A woman who has experienced the typical bust bloom during pregnancy may well find that her breasts never quite recover their former cup size after maternal weight is lost.
Asymmetrical breast correction – breast lift procedures are also appropriate for women who wish to address the problem of having naturally differing breasts.
Genetics, smoking and pregnancy have all been linked to increased breast sag.
Low self esteem due to any of the above.

Different types of lift

There are four main types of breast lift:

The Crescent Lift is the least invasive of the four options. A crescent of skin is removed at the top of the nipple to improve the position of the nipple itself. This is recommended for women with minimal drooping.
The Benelli Lift (also known as the Circumareolar Lift or the Doughnut Lift) is a procedure often used for minor asymmetry or for a subtle lift. Again less invasive than a full mastopexy, this involves a doughnut-shaped incision being made around the areola to remove excess tissue, after which the skin is sutured, ‘purse-string’ style, to bring in the skin around the areola.
The next stage up is the Lollipop Lift, or Vertical Scar Mastopexy. For this, a vertical incision is made from the crease of the breast upwards, and surrounds the nipple in a lollipop shape. This procedure is particularly effective for women with low hanging breasts.
The most involved breast lift is known as the Anchor Lift. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a similar incision to the Lollipop Lift, but also travels along the breast crease, forming an anchor shape. This is widely known as the most effective option but it is also the most invasive, and causes the most scarring.

All the above procedures can be performed without implants. To add implants at the same time is known as an augmentation-mastopexy. Please read our articles Breast enhancement guide and Types of breast implants for more information.

Preparing for surgery

The first step in considering breast lift surgery is to consult your GP for advice, who will be able to advise you further on whether or not your particular circumstances warrant surgery on the NHS. For cosmetic procedures you will then be referred to a private clinic – make sure you do your research and ensure this is a reputable establishment.

If at all possible, request to see the surgeon who will actually be performing your operation. You will be examined, measured and consulted about aspects of the surgery such as anaesthesia and how many incisions will be required. Breast lifts are highly personalised operations, so not every patient will receive the exact same surgery. Most commonly three incisions will be made (around the areola, from the areola down to the lower portion of the breast, and along the crease of the breast), but not every patient will require quite as much intervention.

You will be consulted on the overall effect you hope to achieve and advised on aftercare and scarring.

The procedure

Breast lifts can be performed under general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation and they typically take between one and two hours to complete, after which you should expect an overnight stay in hospital.

Afterwards you will experience swelling and general discomfort, for which you’ll be given appropriate painkillers. Your breasts will be covered in dressings and bandages, and you will be given an elastic bandage or support bra to wear for the first week or two; this helps minimise swelling and support the breasts as they heal. Your medical team will advise you on how to care for your breasts during your recovery, how to clean the incision sites and how to apply any necessary ointment.

As with the recovery from any major surgery, you will need to take time off work. The initial wound healing may take between 5-10 days, after which the sutures will be removed. It’s advisable not to engage in any vigorous exercise for 4-6 weeks following the surgery.

The results

As the swelling slowly goes down over the next few weeks, your incision lines will gradually fade and in time you will become less conscious of them. Once you are fully healed you should feel more ‘in control’ of your appearance, but try to have realistic expectations about the results of your surgery before you undertake a surgery of this kind.

After the operation, you will still feel sensation through your skin, nipples and breasts themselves, but this might be slightly reduced.

Overall, most women who undergo breast lifts are delighted with the results and the corresponding boost to their body confidence alone is unquestionable.