A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that raises and reshapes sagging or drooping breasts. Breast Lift surgery can correct a variety of breast problems, including loss of firmness and/or elasticity as the result of aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or breastfeeding. It can also address an enlarged areola or nipple that is no longer correctly positioned on the breast, often due to breast reduction and/or augmentation surgery.

There are several techniques of a breast lift, and the exact one used during your surgery will depend on your existing breast tissue and your personal goals. For example, some patients have a small amount of sagging that can be corrected with a crescent lift, which involves a tiny incision running halfway around the top edge of the areola. In most cases, however, cosmetic surgeons use a vertical lift, which uses 2 incisions, a horizontal incision in the nipple-areola complex, and another in the inframammary fold to create a “lollipop” shape that leaves minimal, easily hidden scars.

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You may experience pain and bruising following the surgery, but this will begin to subside within a few weeks. Be sure to follow all of your doctor’s postoperative instructions for a healthy recovery. It may take a few months for your breasts to settle into their final shape, and some of the incision lines might remain visible, though these will gradually fade over time. For lasting results, some women choose to get a breast lift followed by a round of breast implants to increase both firmness and size.