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Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

What Is Breast Lift Surgery?

The breast lift procedure, also known as mastopexy, is typically recommended for women who are generally happy with the size of their breasts but desire a more youthful shape, texture, and contour. Sagging skin and drooping (ptosis) of the breasts are very common and can occur during the natural aging process, after pregnancy, or following weight loss. Here at The Ottawa Clinic, our experienced plastic surgeons can help you attain firmer, “perkier” breasts with beautiful, natural-looking results.

What Can A Breast Lift Do?

A breast lift can move your breasts to a higher placement on your chest, reducing excess skin and tightening the remainder for a firmer, more vibrant appearance. If you would like to reduce the size of your areolas, this can also be included in a breast lift procedure.

If increasing the size of your breasts and removing extra skin is important to you, a breast lift procedure alone cannot accomplish these needs. However, a breast augmentation with implants combined with a breast lift can be ideal for enhancing volume as well as lifting the breasts to a higher position. These options can be discussed during your consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Breast Lift Surgery?

If you are currently feeling discouraged by the appearance of your breasts due to physical changes, a breast lift procedure could be beneficial. Oftentimes, as the body begins to age, the breasts can start to look differently for many reasons. Factors that may change their image often include loose, sagging, or excess skin, and/or a lower position of the areolas and nipples. Sometimes, these undesirable appearances can be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, sun exposure, or your genetic predisposition.

Our plastic surgeon will meet with you for an initial consultation and perform a comprehensive breast evaluation. After talking with you about your concerns and goals, our doctor will help you determine whether breast lift surgery is the right option for you.

The Breast Lift Procedure

The goal of surgery is to tighten the skin, recontour the breast tissue, and reposition the nipple to a higher, more youthful area of the breast. During the consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you understand if breast lift surgery can help you achieve your ideal results, as well as what to expect throughout the process.

Breast lift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia at one of our fully accredited hospitals. Depending on the contour that needs to be corrected, incisions can vary from those limited to around the nipple (areola) to more extensive incisions within the crease underneath the breast. Our plastic surgeon will help you decide which approach is best, based on your specific characteristics and goals. During the procedure, the breast tissue will be tightening and reshaped, and the nipple will be lifted to a more youthful position. Some women may benefit from a combination of mastopexy and breast implants to improve both contour and volume.

What Is Breast Lift Recovery Like?

For the first few weeks following your surgery, you can expect to have some swelling and bruising, but this will gradually fade. Patients can typically resume their normal routine within the first week, but we recommend you refrain from strenuous activity for several weeks so that the healing process is not disrupted. One of our surgeons will go over all aspects of the procedure and recovery process before your treatment.

How Much Does Breast Lift Surgery Cost?

The average cost of breast lift surgery typically starts at $12,500. However, this amount can vary based on your specific needs and cosmetic goals. After meeting with one of our plastic surgeons, your treatment plan will be created and a member of our staff will review the cost estimate and discuss payment options. The cost of your procedure is likely to be based on the following factors:

Medical insurance is not likely to cover any costs, as this is a cosmetic procedure. If you are interested in learning more about our plastic surgery financing options to help make your procedure as financially convenient as possible, we would be happy to discuss them with you. It is our goal to help you achieve the aesthetic outcome you desire so you can be confident in your overall appearance.

Will I Have Breast Lift Scars?

It is expected that with any surgical procedure there will be scarring. A breast lift is no exception. However, by choosing to have your breast lift procedure at The Ottawa Clinic, there is a certain standard of care we try to maintain. We take special care to ensure your scarring will be as light as possible. To help reduce the appearance of scars even further, we recommend the use of anti-scar cream.

Is A Breast Lift Without Surgery Possible?

In short, you cannot achieve the same results as a breast lift without a surgical procedure. There are a variety of exercises that can help you create the appearance of a more toned chest, however these will not lift the breasts into a higher placement. To tighten the skin and reposition the breasts into a higher position, a breast lift procedure is necessary. This is not to say an exercise regime would not be beneficial. It is just that, no matter how many chest-focused exercises you perform, you will not have the same results as you would with a surgical procedure.

If you have questions about breast lift surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.