Breast Lift (Drooping or Sagging)

Dr. Tom Lintner will be happy to speak with you about incorporating breast lift surgery into your mommy makeover. Please contact our practice for more information, or to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon.

• What Is Breast Ptosis?
• What Is a Breast Lift?
• Breast Lift Procedure
• Breast Lift Recovery
• Breast Lift Scars
• Breast Lift Cost
• Additional FAQs

WHAT IS BREAST PTOSIS?

Breast ptosis, commonly referred to as sagging breasts, occurs when the skin elasticity is no longer able to support breast volume. This condition can be exacerbated by general loss of tissue in the breasts, as well. Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding can lead to breast ptosis, often affecting self-esteem and making women feel less attractive than they really are. A normal breast has both the nipple and areola located above the inframammary fold. When breast ptosis occurs, the degree of sagging can typically be categorized in the following stages:

• Pseudoptosis: The nipple and areola are at the level of the inframammary crease, but a significant amount of breast tissue is below the fold.
• Grade I: The breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex have mild sagging and are located just below the inframammary fold.
• Grade II: Both the breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex have moderate sagging, drooping much lower than the inframammary fold.
• Grade III: This advanced stage of ptosis causes the nipple-areolar complex to sag below the inframammary crease, often pointing completely downward.

Whether breast ptosis is mild, moderate, or severe, Dr. Lintner can perform breast lift surgery, effectively elevating the breasts to a more natural position for significant rejuvenation.

WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT?

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is intended to correct sagging breasts by raising and reshaping the tissue to achieve a more youthful contour and position. This often involves removing excess skin that has lost its laxity over time and repositioning the nipple-areolar complex to be above the inframammary fold.

WHAT DOES THE BREAST LIFT PROCEDURE INVOLVE?

The breast lift procedure is designed to eliminate excess skin in the breasts and give them a firmer appearance. During the surgery, Dr. Lintner will remove extra skin and redrape the remaining skin, pulling it taut for a smoother look and feel. The nipples can be relocated to a higher position, ultimately helping restore the breasts to their pre-pregnancy appearance. Depending on the details of your surgical plan, your breast lift procedure may take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete.

WHAT ARE MY BREAST LIFT INCISION OPTIONS?

Selecting the incision that is right for you generally depends on the level of breast ptosis. Dr. Lintner offers the periareolar incision and inverted-T incision.

The periareolar incision, also known as a “donut incision,” is generally ideal for women with mild to moderate ptosis. Incisions are made around the circumference of the areola, and excess skin is removed. A breast implant is often recommended as part of this technique, to improve the resulting overall shape of the breasts. Additionally, the nipple is raised to a more natural position and the areola can be reshaped, if desired.

An inverted-T incision, often referred to as an anchor incision, is considered a full mastopexy. This technique is used to correct moderate to severe cases of breast ptosis, because it enables Dr. Lintner to remove a greater amount of excess skin than the periareolar incision. Incisions are made around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and along the breast fold (resulting in an anchor-like shape).

To ensure minimal scarring, Dr. Lintner takes great care to place incisions strategically. Most clothing is able to hide any potential scarring, but scars should fade over time, if properly cared for. Ultimately, breast lift patients tend to be untroubled by their scars, since the results of the procedure outweigh any concern about scarring.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MY BREAST LIFT RECOVERY?

A breast lift alone typically requires about one to two weeks of recovery before you are able to resume normal daily activities; however, the total recovery time will depend on other procedures you may have included in your mommy makeover. Dr. Lintner typically instructs his patients to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks after breast lift in order to give them time to heal properly.

WHAT WILL MY BREAST LIFT SCARS LOOK LIKE?

Scarring after breast lift surgery will depend upon where the incisions are placed during the procedure. Despite which technique is utilized, Dr. Lintner always strives to make incisions in areas that can easily be concealed. During your recovery, you will be provided with post-operative care instructions with details on how to care for your wounds to ensure a smooth healing process. While scars cannot be completely avoided, they tend to fade with time becoming even less noticeable.

HOW MUCH DOES A BREAST LIFT COST?

The average cost of breast lift surgery is approximately $5,900 to $6,800, which includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fees, hospital fees, and other related costs. There is not a fixed cost for the breast lift procedure since every patient will have unique needs that need addressed. During your consultation, our team will provide you with a personalized cost quote to help you plan for your procedure and budget accordingly. If you are interested in taking advantage of one of our payment plans, we can help you get started with plastic surgery financing.

BREAST LIFT FAQ’S

DOES A BREAST LIFT PREVENT FURTHER PTOSIS?

Although a breast lift can correct any existing breast ptosis, the effects of gravity over time may have an impact on skin elasticity. Fortunately, the resulting changes are typically not as severe as compared to the initial ptosis that was treated with the mastopexy.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TREAT SAGGING BREASTS WITH AN IMPLANT ALONE?

Depending on the severity of ptosis, certain patients may not require a breast lift. If there is only a small amount of sagging, a breast augmentation alone can often resolve any aesthetic concerns. During your initial consultation, Dr. Lintner can assess the amount of breast tissue and volume loss present to determine the best possible treatment.

WILL I LOSE NIPPLE SENSATION AFTER A BREAST LIFT?

Some sensation can be lost following mastopexy, but most patients are able to retain most, if not all sensation in their nipples after surgery. A complete loss of nipple sensation after breast lift surgery is extremely rare.

If you are considering adding breast lift to your customized mommy makeover procedure, please contact us today.