A breast lift, or a mastopexy, is a procedure that restores the perky contours of the breasts, granting you greater body confidence that allows you to feel more youthful and attractive. These surgeries can greatly improve breast shape after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuations. Mastopexy is a safe and effective way to elevate sagging breasts, restore volume, and reshape the nipples. A qualified plastic surgeon can provide you with an individualized procedure plan to help you look and feel your best.

As board-certified plastic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Sam Sukkar and Dr. Edgar Bedolla of The Clinic for Plastic Surgery offer a range of techniques for patients looking to change their breast contour. A breast lift can even correct breast asymmetry and signs of aging to create a more pleasing aesthetic with fuller, firmer breasts.

To inquire about a consultation, call our Houston office at (281) 940-1535 or fill out our contact form, and a staff member will get back to you shortly.

Before & After Photos

Before and After Photos

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Types of Breast Lifts

With different types of breast lifts, you can customize your results to give you the shape and volume you’ve always wanted. Here’s a breakdown of the four most popular types of breast lifts:

Crescent Breast Lift

A crescent breast lift involves making a small, half-moon-shaped incision along the upper portion of each areola. Our surgeons typically use this technique to address minor sagging, and they often include it in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Periareolar Breast Lift

To achieve a periareolar breast lift, your surgeon will make an incision around each areola’s circumference. This technique is well-suited for patients with mild to moderate sagging and can serve to reposition the areolas if they are significantly stretched or misaligned.

Vertical Breast Lift

A vertical breast lift involves making an incision around the areola and extending it down to the crease beneath the breast. This technique effectively addresses moderate to severe sagging and can reshape the breasts and lift them to a more youthful position. When compared to the anchor breast lift, a vertical incision technique can preserve better breast projection. ⁽¹⁾

Anchor Breast Lift

An anchor breast lift involves making an incision around each areola, down to the crease on the bottom side of the breast, and along the underside of the breast. This technique is effective for patients with significant sagging and can reshape the breasts to create the elevation needed to support more upper pole fullness. ⁽²⁾ With this technique, patients can expect to attain more noticeable cleavage.

Benefits

A breast lift can enhance a person’s quality of life by improving the appearance and physical comfort of their breasts. It can boost self-confidence and well-being, enabling them to engage in physical activities more efficiently. When surgeons perform this procedure correctly, it provides long-lasting results that can improve the way a woman looks and feels. Other benefits include the following:

Personal Consultation

Consultation is always the first step before any plastic surgery procedure. At the initial consultation, you should expect to discuss any goals and concerns with your surgeon to determine if it is the right procedure for you. During the appointment, he will perform a physical examination and assess your overall health to determine if you are a good candidate. He will also review potential risks, complications, and expected outcomes.

To book your appointment at our Houston practice today, call (281) 940-1535 or inquire about an in-person or virtual consultation with our contact form.

Preparation

To prepare for the procedure, your surgeon may ask you to undergo a mammogram and stop taking certain medications before your surgery. He will also provide detailed instructions on caring for the area following the procedure. You should follow all instructions carefully to ensure a safe and successful outcome. To ensure that your surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible, you should begin preparing for your breast lift as soon as two weeks beforehand. During this period before your procedure, you will need to avoid NSAIDs and other supplements and medications that thin the blood, as they may contribute to bleeding during and after your surgery. You should also fill any prescriptions your surgeon has given you to have them available immediately after your procedure. You may even prepare a recovery “nest” with everything you will need within reach. Lastly, you will need to arrange for a close friend or relative to drive you home and stay with you for a minimum of 24 hours after your surgery.

The Mastopexy Procedure

Your breast lift will begin with the administering of general anesthesia, which will ensure you are completely asleep and safe throughout. From there, your surgeon will customize your surgery based on the severity of your sagging and your unique cosmetic goals- an aspect of the procedure he will discuss during your consultation. He will perform some variation of the crescent, periareolar, vertical, or anchor breast lift.

Regardless of the specific technique used, your surgeon will sculpt and shape your breasts until he recreates the perky and youthful chest that you desire. He will then carefully close the incisions to minimize any scarring before sending you home on the same day of your procedure to begin the healing process.

Combining a Breast Lift with Implants

In this procedure, your surgeon will insert breast implants and lift the breasts simultaneously. This combination of breast augmentation with a lift can dramatically improve the appearance of the breasts by restoring fullness, improving shape, and further enhancing cleavage. Many surgeons estimate that modern implants are capable of maintaining results for up to 15 to 20 years before requiring replacement, but this factor can vary from woman to woman. ⁽³⁾

Combining a Breast Lift with Other Procedures

Many women opt to combine breast lift surgery with other body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck or liposuction. Combining multiple cosmetic procedures at once can benefit patients by reducing the cost of surgery, reducing recovery time, and achieving results with fewer surgeries. Undergoing a combination of procedures is often called a “mommy makeover” and can help mothers restore pre-pregnancy figures.

Recovery

Once your procedure is complete and you have begun the healing process at home, you may experience mild pain, though this will dissipate after the first few days. At any point, you can manage the discomfort with pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon. During the initial recovery period, it is also normal to experience some degree of swelling and bruising.

To allow your body time to heal, be sure to stay at home and limit your day-to-day activities for the first week. After approximately three weeks, you should be able to return to work and resume normal activities without restriction. Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions on incision care, which usually involves cleaning the area twice daily with warm water and mild soap. You may also need to layer on a thin coat of antibiotic ointment over the incisions daily.

A breast lift can provide long-term positive results, however, sagging may return if not cared for properly. To guarantee the best possible outcome after your procedure, wear supportive bras regularly, avoid heavy lifting, and sustain an overall healthy lifestyle through proper dieting and exercise.

Results

Right away, you should start to notice some of the results of your breast lift, with sagging breasts taking on a more lifted appearance. After three to four months, about 75% of your results will have appeared. During this time, your breasts will have had the time they need to recover from surgery, allowing for the changes made to the skin and tissue to become evident. After about a year, all of the results of the procedure will have settled in. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and properly caring for your breasts will ensure beautiful results for years to come. Though a breast lift will not completely stop aging, it will keep the breasts elevated for at least 10 years and slow down the rate of breast sagging after that.

Breast Lift Scars

During your procedure, your surgeon will have to make small incisions to access the areas of your breasts that he will lift, inevitably leading to minor scars. Throughout your recovery period, the scars will fade to fine lines and fully mature 12 to 18 months post-procedure. ⁽⁴⁾ Silicone gel, scar creams, scar massage, and following other recovery instructions closely can also help scars fade well. This, combined with the discrete placement of certain incisions, should make their appearance almost non-existent with time.

Cost of Breast Lift in Houston

The cost of a breast lift can vary, but on average, it is $6,500 and up. This can vary depending on exactly what will be done, such as if your surgeon combines the breast lift surgery with a breast augmentation to get the full desired results. The most accurate cost estimate will come from your consultation, where you will discuss your goals for the procedure with Dr. Sukkar or Dr. Bedolla.

To learn more about your breast lift options, we invite you to schedule a consultation at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery today. During your private meeting in our Houston office, your surgeon will carefully assess the cosmetic imperfections you would most like to address and create a custom treatment plan designed to sculpt the exquisite appearance you deserve. Request a virtual or in-person consultation online or call (281) 940-1535, and our staff will help you find a time and date that works with your schedule.

References

1. Swanson E. Comparison of Vertical and Inverted-T Mammaplasties Using Photographic Measurements. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2014;1(9):e89. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000000034
2. Swanson E. A Comparison of 28 Published Augmentation/Mastopexy Techniques Using Photographic Measurements. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(9):e3092. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003092
3. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
4. Commander S, Chamata E, Cox J, Dickey R, Lee E. Update on Postsurgical Scar Management. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2016;30(03):122-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1584824