Breast Lift

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX

Breast Lift Austin Plastic Surgeon

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging, deflated breasts. Over time, factors such as aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight fluctuations can lead to breasts losing their firmness and youthful contour. (1) Many individuals seek a breast lift to restore their breast position and enhance their overall shape, which can improve confidence and self-esteem. There has been an increasing number of patients seeking breast lifts as many patients have been on their weight loss journeys with the help of GLP medications.

At Austin Plastic Surgeon, our surgeons tailor every breast lift to a patient’s unique anatomy and their unique needs. We have helped patients throughout the country achieve exceptional results through outstanding care. If you are interested in a breast lift, contact Austin Plastic Surgeon to set up an initial consultation and discuss your options for breast surgery.

We are proud to serve patients living in Texas and throughout the United States from our practice. Online consultations are available for out-of-town patients. If you have any questions, please call any of our Austin-area offices to speak with one of our experts.

Before and After Photos

Breast Lift Before & After Patient #10163
Breast Lift Before & After Patient #10163
Breast Lift Before & After Patient #6583
Breast Lift Before & After Patient #6583
Breast Lift Before & After Patient #6582
Breast Lift Before & After Patient #6582
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About Breast Lift

Breast lifts are performed to address various concerns related to sagging breasts, or breast ptosis. (1) Breast anatomy primarily consists of glandular tissue, along with fatty tissues and skin that give the breasts their shape and size. The size and shape of the breasts can be affected by several factors, including pregnancy, hormonal changes, diet, environmental factors, lifestyle, age, disease, weight fluctuations, and more. Breast lift surgery may also involve repositioning the nipples to a higher location, removing excess skin and reshaping the glandular tissue depending on the patient’s goals.

Benefits

Receiving a breast lift provides several advantages, including:

  • Improved breast position: A breast lift elevates sagging breasts, restoring them to a more youthful position.
  • Enhanced contour: The surgery reshapes the breasts, improving their overall contour and making clothing fit better.
  • Nipple repositioning: Nipples can be moved to a higher, more aesthetically pleasing location, enhancing breast symmetry.
  • Increased confidence: It may increase self-esteem and body image achieving a desired breast appearance. 
  • Long-lasting results: A breast lift offers long-term outcomes, as tissue is permanently removed.
  • Minimal scarring: With advanced techniques, scarring can be minimized and made more discreet.

Candidates

Patients experiencing sagging, loose, or ptotic breasts can receive a breast lift. If your breasts have lost their volume or if your nipples have descended on your chest or point downward then you can experience exceptional rejuvenation with a breast lift treatment. It is also important that patients be at a stable, healthy weight, be in good overall health, not smoke, and be willing to closely follow the preparation and recovery instructions provided by their doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding may impact the results of the procedure. If you are planning to have children soon, we advise that you wait until afterward to have a breast lift.

Personal Consultation

Your first appointment with your doctor at Austin Plastic Surgeon will be a consultation to discuss your goals and explore your options for your breast lift procedure. By discussing your goals and expectations and carrying out an evaluation, our providers can create a tailored plan to help you achieve optimal results. We will also review your medical history at this appointment.

Preparation

Once you have completed the consultation with our team and scheduled your breast lift surgery, we will provide you with a complete list of preparation instructions that are specific to your medical history and procedure goals. These typically include:

  • Ceasing smoking and nicotine use for at least 6 weeks before surgery
  • Avoiding any blood-thinning medications and alcohol for 2 weeks before surgery
  • Making arrangements for someone to bring you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure
  • Filling prescriptions

There will likely be other instructions for you to get ready for surgery, including bathing, and when to stop eating and drinking. Rely on our team to guide you through the prep and the aftercare process. We also make sure you have contact information for any questions or concerns you have before or after surgery.

Procedure

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a form of cosmetic breast surgery that lifts and enhances the shape of the breasts by removing excess skin. Different types of breast lift methods may be employed depending on your aesthetic goals and unique anatomy, including the following:

Surgical Breast Lift Techniques

Peri-Areolar Lift (Donut Lift)

  • Overview:
    • Involves an incision made solely around the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple).
    • Primarily suited for women with minimal sagging (ptosis) who desire a subtle lift or slight elevation of the nipple-areolar complex.
  • Procedure Details:
    • The surgeon removes a donut-shaped piece of skin around the areola.
    • The remaining skin is then tightened and reconnected to provide a small lift.
    • If desired, the size of the areola can be reduced during this process.
  • Benefits:
    • Leaves minimal scarring, typically well-concealed at the border of the areola.
    • Shorter recovery and less invasive than other breast lift procedures.
  • Considerations:
    • Best for mild degrees of drooping.
    • Not as effective for women with moderate to severe sagging.

Vertical Lift (Lollipop Lift)

  • Overview:
    • Also known as the “lollipop lift” because of the incision pattern: around the areola and vertically down to the inframammary fold (where the breast meets the chest wall).
    • Corrects moderate sagging and reshapes breast tissue for a perkier profile.
  • Procedure Details:
    • Excess skin is removed, and breast tissue is reshaped, creating a more lifted and youthful contour.
    • The nipple is repositioned higher on the breast for improved projection.
  • Benefits:
    • Provides a more substantial lift than the peri-areolar technique while still keeping incisions relatively limited.
    • Allows for greater reshaping of the breast compared to a donut lift.
  • Considerations:
    • Scarring is slightly more visible than with a peri-areolar lift (due to the vertical incision).
    • Recovery is somewhat more involved, though still manageable for most patients.

Anchor Lift (Inverted-T Lift)

  • Overview:
    • Often referred to as a “full mastopexy,” the anchor or inverted-T lift is typically reserved for women with significant sagging and/or large breasts.
    • Incisions encircle the areola, extend vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, and run horizontally along the fold under the breast.
  • Procedure Details:
    • Removes the most excess skin of the three techniques, allowing for substantial reshaping and lifting of the breast tissue.
    • The nipple-areolar complex is repositioned to a higher, more youthful location.
  • Benefits:
    • Ideal for correcting pronounced ptosis.
    • Provides the most dramatic transformation in terms of shape, projection, and elevation of the breast.
  • Considerations:
    • Results in more noticeable scarring than other lift methods.
    • Usually involves a more extended recovery period, given the larger area of surgical intervention.

Minimally Invasive & Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Options

For patients with mild skin laxity or those looking for a more conservative approach, a range of minimally invasive procedures can help lift and tighten the breasts without extensive incisions.

1. Renuvion

  • Overview:
    • Uses a combination of helium plasma and radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten underlying tissues.
    • Can be applied beneath the skin, often through tiny access points.
  • Benefits:
    • Stimulates collagen production and contracts existing collagen for improved firmness.
    • Less downtime and scarring compared to a surgical lift.
  • Ideal Candidates:
    • Patients with mild breast sagging, good skin elasticity, or those wanting a more subtle lift and contour improvement.

2. Quantum (RF or Ultrasound-Based Treatments)

  • Overview:
    • Quantum typically refers to an advanced platform that may combine radiofrequency, ultrasound, or other energy modalities for tissue tightening.
    • Often performed in an office setting with minimal anesthesia or sedation.
  • Benefits:
    • Helps enhance skin tightness and can improve the overall breast appearance in cases of mild ptosis.
    • Quick procedure with minimal discomfort and minimal scarring (if any).
  • Ideal Candidates:
    • Individuals seeking incremental improvements in skin laxity without the commitment of a surgical lift.
    • Those who want to slow the progression of sagging by stimulating collagen.

Making the Right Choice

  1. Extent of Sagging:
    • Mild Ptosis: Peri-areolar lift or non-surgical treatments like Renuvion or Quantum may suffice.
    • Moderate Ptosis: A vertical “lollipop” lift can achieve more significant reshaping.
    • Severe Ptosis: An anchor lift is often the best option for dramatic correction.
  2. Desired Outcome vs. Scarring:
    • Surgical lifts generally provide the most noticeable and lasting change but come with varying degrees of scarring.
    • Non-surgical options have minimal scarring, but improvements are subtle and may not be permanent.
  3. Recovery & Lifestyle:
    • Surgical procedures require a more extensive recovery period.
    • Non-surgical treatments involve less downtime, often allowing patients to resume daily activities within days.
  4. Combining Techniques:
    • Patients can sometimes pair minimally invasive treatments with smaller surgical lifts to optimize results.
    • In some cases, an initial non-surgical approach may delay or minimize the extent of future surgery.

What Is an Internal Bra in Breast Lift Surgery?

The term “internal bra” refers to the use of specialized mesh or scaffolding material inside the breast during surgery. This mesh acts similarly to a supportive bra by providing a structural framework that holds the breast tissue in a higher, more youthful position. By reinforcing the lower portion of the breast, an internal bra can help combat tissue stretch and maintain lift over time.

Benefits of Using Mesh in a Breast Lift

  • Enhanced Support:
    • Mesh materials offer additional reinforcement beyond what skin and tissue alone can provide. This can reduce the likelihood of premature sagging or “bottoming out” of the breast.
  • Longer-Lasting Results:
    • By holding the breast tissue in an elevated position, the internal bra may help maintain surgical outcomes for a longer period compared to a traditional breast lift without mesh.
  • Improved Shape & Contour:
    • The mesh creates a hammock-like support system under the breast, allowing the surgeon to sculpt a more defined, lifted shape. Over time, natural tissue and collagen integrate with the mesh, stabilizing the new breast contour.
  • Reduced Tension on Incisions:
    • Placing mesh internally can take some of the tension off the surgical incisions, potentially leading to better scar healing and decreased risk of scar widening or stretching.

Common Mesh Products

1. DuraSorb

  • Material & Properties:
    • A bioresorbable material designed to provide temporary internal support as the body heals. Over time, the mesh dissolves, replaced by the patient’s own collagen and tissue.
  • Primary Benefits:
    • Offers robust structural support during the critical early healing phase.
    • Gradually resorbs, reducing the long-term presence of a foreign material in the body.

2. GalaFLEX

  • Material & Properties:
    • Made from a biocompatible polymer called P4HB (poly-4-hydroxybutyrate). Provides a scaffold for new tissue to grow into.
  • Primary Benefits:
    • Highly supportive and partially absorbable, with research suggesting good integration and stable outcomes over time.
    • Can help hold the breast in place more effectively than tissue alone, creating a longer-lasting lift.

3. OviTex

  • Material & Properties:
    • A biosynthetic mesh that combines biologic tissue (often porcine-derived) with synthetic fibers, allowing for both strength and biocompatibility.
  • Primary Benefits:
    • Encourages native tissue ingrowth and collagen deposition.
    • Provides an immediate reinforcing structure while offering more “natural” integration due to its biological component.

Ideal Candidates for an Internal Bra

  • Significant Skin Laxity:
    Patients who have lost a large amount of weight or experienced multiple pregnancies often benefit from additional support to prevent the breasts from quickly resagging.
  • Larger Breasts:
    Individuals with heavier breasts can find the additional reinforcement valuable in supporting the weight of the breast tissue over time.
  • Revision Surgery:
    Patients who have had prior breast lifts and noticed recurrent sagging may want to consider mesh to enhance long-term results.

Considerations & Consultation

  • Individualized Approach:
    Not everyone will need mesh; a surgeon will evaluate your anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine the right approach.
  • Risks & Benefits:
    As with any implantable material, there is a small risk of infection, extrusion, or inflammatory response, which should be discussed in detail during a consultation.
  • Recovery & Follow-Up:
    Using an internal bra generally does not significantly alter the standard recovery timeline, but regular follow-ups are crucial to monitor healing and mesh integration.

Recovery

Breast Lift Austin Plastic Surgeon

After your surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and we recommend that somebody you trust stay with you for 24-48 hours. You will also be required to wear a surgical bra or compression garment, avoid lifting heavy objects, and refrain from strenuous exercise. Our team will give you post-operative instructions to follow so that you can return to your normal routine as soon as possible.

We will also provide you with a pain medication prescription or guidance for which over-the-counter medications you should take. Discomfort will gradually subside over the next few days. Tenderness may persist for a couple of weeks. During the first few days of your recovery, you should try to walk around and gently move your arms to reduce stiffness and soreness and promote healthy blood circulation.

Results

Austin Plastic Surgeon patients see long-lasting results after their breast lift. You will continue to enjoy perkier, more youthful-looking breasts for at least a decade!

Here are a few ways you may be able to prolong your results:

  • Maintain a stable body weight. Gaining and losing weight causes the skin to expand and stretch. You could notice a return of ptosis if you gain and lose a lot of weight.
  • Protect your skin from the sun. UV damage causes the skin to wrinkle and lose elasticity.
  • Take care of your skin. You can take steps to nourish your skin. We recommend refraining from smoking, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and dehydration.

Revision procedures are possible if you decide you want to restore more perkiness in the years and decades that follow your initial surgery.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

For patients who want to increase the volume of their breasts as well as remove excess skin, we offer different kinds of implants. This combination restores the voluminous appearance of the breasts and accentuates the results of the breast lift. Depending on your desired outcome, you may choose from a variety of implants with different textures, shapes, and sizes. Some popular choices include silicone implants, saline implants, Motiva implants, and “gummy bear” implants.

Cost of Breast Lifts in Austin

At Austin Plastic Surgeon, we are upfront with our pricing for breast lifts and other cosmetic procedures. Please take a look at our comprehensive pricing page to see the cost of a breast lift procedure both with and without implants. The price of these procedures starts at $9,200 and $6,200, respectively, but these prices may vary depending on what methods are required by your treatment plan. When you meet with one of our doctors for a consultation, you will receive a price quote for your procedure.

FAQ

Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?

In general, if you can breastfeed before a breast lift, you will be able to breastfeed after. The risk of a breast lift taking away your ability to breastfeed is low. You will mitigate your risk even further by choosing an experienced, qualified, skilled breast surgeon from our team. In any case, we recommend waiting until after your pregnancy and breastfeeding to consider a breast lift.

Is there significant scarring after a breast lift?

While incisions are necessary to facilitate the breast lift, modern techniques involve careful placement to help minimize visible scars.

Does a breast lift increase breast size?

No, a breast lift does not inherently increase breast volume; however, it can enhance the appearance of fullness by relocating breast tissue.

Can I combine a breast lift with breast augmentation?

Yes, combining a breast lift with breast augmentation is a common approach to address both sagging and volume loss simultaneously.

How long does it take to recover after a breast lift?

Most patients see significant improvements in their recovery after about one week, but full recovery can extend up to several weeks depending on individual healing.

References

  1. Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/
  2. Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM. Mastopexy and Mastopexy-Augmentation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;38(4):374-384. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx181