Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin’s natural elasticity begins to have an effect on the appearance of a woman’s breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing, will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). Breast implants inserted in conjunction with a mastopexy procedure can increase both firmness and size. Dr. Medalie typically performs breast lift as an outpatient procedure in Cleveland, Ohio. For more of Dr. Medalie's breast lift patient photos, please visit his photo gallery.
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
A breast lift may be an appropriate option if you:
- Are bothered by breast sagging (ptosis)
- Notice a flattened or elongated breast shape
- Have nipples that point downward or sit below the breast crease
- Experience breast asymmetry or deflation after pregnancy or weight loss
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations
Dr. Medalie will perform a thorough evaluation during your consultation and recommend the best treatment approach based on your unique anatomy and goals.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: Comparison Chart
| Feature | Breast Lift (Mastopexy) | Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Lifts and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening tissue. | Increases breast size and enhances shape using saline or silicone implants. |
| Best Candidates | Women with sagging, drooping, or deflated breasts due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. | Women who want larger, fuller breasts or to restore lost breast volume. |
| Effect on Size | Does not significantly increase size, but may improve firmness and upper pole fullness. | Increases breast size by one or more cup sizes depending on implant choice. |
| Effect on Shape | Restores a more youthful, perky contour and corrects nipple position. | Creates a rounder, fuller breast shape with improved cleavage. |
| Scarring | Incisions around the areola, vertically down, or under the breast crease (depends on technique). | Small incisions hidden in the breast crease, armpit, or around the areola. |
| Longevity of Results | Results are long-lasting but aging and gravity may affect breast position over time. The nipples will always remain higher but the gland may droop over time. | Implants typically last much longer than a lift but may not sufficiently correct loose skin |
Types of Breast Lift Techniques
Dr. Medalie offers several mastopexy techniques, selecting the right one based on the degree of ptosis and desired results:
- Crescent lift: A minimal-lift option using a small incision above the areola, typically for minor nipple elevation. Very infrequently used.
- Donut (periareolar) lift:Â Involves an incision around the areola; suitable for mild sagging and minor reshaping.
- Lollipop lift:Â Uses a vertical incision from the areola down to the breast crease; ideal for moderate sagging.
- Anchor lift: Includes an incision around the areola, vertically down, and along the breast fold; typically used for significant ptosis and is the most powerful technique.
Each technique is designed to lift and reshape while minimizing scarring, and Dr. Medalie focuses on precision and symmetry in every case.
Breast Lift with Implants
If you want to restore both volume and position to your breasts, a breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation. This allows Dr. Medalie to reshape the breast while adding fullness to the upper pole. During the consultation, he will help determine whether silicone or saline implants — and which implant size — best complements your goals and body proportions.
Breast Lift Recovery
After surgery, you will wear a supportive compression garment to aid healing and reduce swelling. Discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medication. You can expect to return to non-strenuous activities within a couple of weeks and resume normal physical activity after four to six weeks. Dr. Medalie provides detailed aftercare instructions and close follow-up to monitor healing and outcomes.
Breast Lift Results
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, especially when you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. While natural aging and gravity continue over time, many women enjoy their rejuvenated breast appearance for a decade or more after surgery. You may opt for another breast lift later in life if you would like to maintain your elevated breast appearance indefinitely.
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia (appropriate only for the peri-areolar lift), intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. I will recommend the best choice for you at your consultation.
Step 2 – The incision
There are three common incision patterns:
Around the areola
Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease
Step 3 – Reshaping your breasts
After I make the incisions:
- The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
- The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
- If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
- Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Step 4 – Closing the incisions
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.
Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, I will try and recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.
Please listen to my recommendation and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.
Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts (they all dissolve over time). Skin adhesives and/or surgical tape typically are used to close the skin.
*Plastic surgery results can vary from patient to patient and are not guaranteed.
Before & After
Why Choose Dr. Medalie for Your Breast Lift?
Dr. Medalie is highly regarded for his artistic approach, surgical skill, and commitment to patient safety. With a strong focus on achieving natural and symmetrical results, he takes the time to understand each patient’s vision and customizes the procedure to enhance body balance and confidence. He has been voted a top plastic surgeon by Best Doctors, Inc. every year since 2009.
Schedule Your Consultation
To learn more about how a breast lift can help restore a youthful breast shape and contour, contact Dr. Medalie’s office in Cleveland by calling (216) 393-9924 to schedule your consultation. Dr. Medalie will guide you through every step of the process and develop a surgical plan that’s right for you.
View Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery
Do I Need General Anesthesia?
Sometimes-A full breast lift needs to be performed with the patient asleep. Peri-areolar lifts can be performed under local anesthesia with mild oral sedation.
How long does it take?
Typical surgery time is around 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
What is the chance of infection?
I typically give my patients antibiotics on the day of surgery. Post operative infections are rare and are typically related to the dissolving sutures which can sometimes irritate the skin. Please be aware that smoking is the number one reason for post-operative infections and healing problems. I thus require my patients to STOP SMOKING at least 3 months prior to a breast lift procedure.
Are there bleeding risks?
During the surgery, local anesthetic is injected into the tissue using a tumescent technique-this blocks the sensation and also constricts blood vessels. As a result, there is very little bleeding during the surgery. I have NEVER had a patient have a severe bleeding complication post-op, but it is not impossible and a return trip to the OR may be necessary. No one has ever needed a blood transfusion for this procedure.
Will I lose nipple sensation?
The surgery is designed to preserve blood supply and sensation to the nipple. That being said, any time there is extensive surgery on the breast, nipple sensation can be affected. It is very rare to lose full sensation though.
Will I be able to breast feed after a breast lift?
The surgery is designed to preserve the majority of the breast gland and only remove excess skin. Patients typically are able to breast feed after a breast lift surgery.
What is the recovery?
This is a fairly well tolerated operation and requires a short recovery. Pain that may require narcotic pain medicine typically lasts 3-4 days. After that, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) is sufficient. I recommend that patients take at least 1 week off from work. The post-op care involves support bras for several weeks and scar massage after that. Most of the swelling and all of the buried stitches have disappeared by 3-4 months.
When can I resume my normal activity?
I recommend that patients refrain from exercise for at least 3 weeks after surgery. Even after 3 weeks, the incisions may be sensitive and patients need to use caution. Heavy Lifting can not resume until the patient is 4-6 weeks out from surgery.
When will I be completely healed?
Some of the deep sutures under the skin can take up to three months to completely dissolve. For this reason, some patients may report sensitivity issues such as itching for up to three months post-op. Typically my patients have resumed full activity by 1-2 months. The final result including fading of the breast lift scars can take up to 1 year.
Can other procedures be performed at the same time as Breast Lift?
Yes – I frequently perform multiple procedures on breast lift patients. Liposuction and tummy tucks are the most common simultaneous surgeries. Many of my patients also ask for vaginoplasty or labiaplasty as an adjunct to the breast surgery (please see the mommy makeover section).
What does it cost?
The cost of breast lift surgery varies based on:
- Surgical technique required (peri-areolar vs. anchor)
- Duration of the procedure
- Local vs general anesthesia
When you consult with Dr. Medalie he will explain your options and e-mail you a comprehensive price quote the same day that includes the gynecomastia surgery, the anesthesia and the facility costs.
What if I am from out of town?
I frequently perform breast and body contouring surgery on patients who live out of town and are unable to easily to see me in consultation prior to the procedure. I have several requirements for these patients: I must see pictures of them prior to scheduling surgery. They need to contact my office and have my patient care manager email them a medical history form to be filled out and sent back. Typically the patient will come into town 1 day prior to the procedure, and I will see them the day of surgery. I will perform a phone consultation about 3 weeks prior to surgery. I will then perform the operation and see them back in my clinic in several days to check the surgical site and answer any questions. This means that the patient will spend around 4-7 days in the Cleveland area. Patients who live far away, but can drive to Cleveland (2-6 hrs.), can go home the next day and drive back to see me for their first post-operative appointment. I will then follow the progress of the patient via e-mailed pictures. My patient care manager has information about hotels in the area as well as financing. You may contact her at valerie@clevelandplasticsurgery.com.
