Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

• What Is a Breast Lift?
• Breast Lift Benefits
• Breast Lift Candidate?
• Breast Lift Procedure
• Breast Lift Recovery
• Breast Lift Results
• Breast Lift Cost
• Breast Lift Scars
• Breast Lift Without Surgery
• Complementary Procedures

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 want a more youthful shape, texture, and contour. Sagging skin and drooping breasts are common, whether from natural aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. A breast lift raises your breasts to a higher position on the chest, reducing excess skin and tightening what remains for a firmer, more vibrant appearance. Areola reduction can also be included if desired.

If increasing breast size or removing significant excess skin is also part of your goal, a lift alone won’t accomplish that. In that case, breast augmentation with implants combined with a lift can enhance volume while also repositioning the breasts higher on the chest. These options can be discussed in detail during your consultation.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery?

A breast lift can provide significant improvement in breast shape and contour, though it’s worth noting that it doesn’t increase breast size or remove large amounts of excess skin on its own. For patients who want both added volume and skin removal, a breast lift with implants can be an excellent option, enhancing volume while also lifting the breasts to a higher position.

Beyond the physical transformation, many patients experience a real boost in self-esteem and confidence. As the breasts regain their firmness and “perkiness,” patients often report improved body image and a more positive outlook. Our surgeons are focused not just on natural-looking results, but on your overall confidence and well-being.

During your consultation, we’ll thoroughly assess your specific needs and help you decide whether a lift, an augmentation, or a combination of both aligns best with your goals.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

If you’re feeling discouraged by changes in the appearance of your breasts, a lift could be a good option. As the body ages, breasts can change shape for a number of reasons, including loose or excess skin, and lower-positioned areolas or nipples. These changes are often the result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, sun exposure, or genetics. Your consultation is where we determine if surgery is the right path for you. Our plastic surgeons will:

• Examine the anatomy of your chest and assess the degree of breast droop
• Review your medical history
• Discuss treatment options suited to your goals
• Walk you through preparation and recovery
• Show before-and-after photos

This is also your opportunity to voice your concerns and goals. It’s a collaborative process, meant to make sure what you want is medically achievable and safe, so you leave with clarity and a personalized plan.

What Does the Breast Lift Procedure Involve?

The goal of surgery is to tighten the skin, reshape the breast tissue, and reposition the nipple to a higher, more youthful spot on the breast. Breast lift surgery is typically performed as a one-day, outpatient procedure under general anesthesia at one of our fully accredited surgical facilities, meaning you go home the same day. Some patients benefit from combining mastopexy with breast implants to address both shape and volume in a single surgery.

Pre-Operative Consultation

This stage lays the foundation for your surgery. Your surgeon will take time to understand your goals and concerns, and may recommend tests such as a mammogram to assess your breast tissue. From there, they’ll decide on the most appropriate technique and guide you through pre-operative preparation.

The Day of the Procedure

You’ll be welcomed and made comfortable, and the surgical area will be carefully cleaned and prepped. Incisions vary depending on the correction needed, ranging from a pattern limited to the areola to more extensive incisions along the breast crease. During surgery, the tissue is tightened and reshaped, and the nipple is lifted to a higher position. Incisions are then closed with sutures.

Post-Operative Period

You’ll be monitored in a recovery room until fully awake. Bruising and swelling are common in the first few days, and pain medication will be prescribed for comfort. Follow-up visits are scheduled to support healing and catch any concerns early.

What Can I Expect in My Breast Lift Recovery?

First Week

For the first week following your surgery, you can expect some swelling and bruising, which is a completely normal response to the procedure. These signs gradually fade over time, and we do everything possible to minimize them with advanced surgical techniques and tailored post-operative recommendations.

During this time, keep your incisions clean and watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge, reporting them right away. It’s also important to give your body adequate time to rest and heal, even once you’re feeling better. At The Ottawa Clinic, we take pride in informing our patients about each step of this journey, ensuring their recovery is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Next Several Weeks

Many patients return to their normal routine within the first week, but we recommend avoiding strenuous activity, sports, heavy lifting, or significant physical exertion for several weeks so the healing process isn’t disrupted.

We also recommend wearing a wire-free or sports bra continuously, day and night, for the first month, and following your surgeon’s instructions closely, including a recommended follow-up mammogram. Every individual is unique, and some may need a longer rest period than others.

Months 3–6

A breast lift is a transformation, and like any transformation, it takes time. Although you may notice immediate changes right after surgery, the final result will only be evident after several months, once all swelling and bruising have subsided and the incisions have fully healed. The end result is worth the wait: a rejuvenated, uplifted breast that’s in harmony with your body awaits.

One of our surgeons will go over all aspects of the procedure and recovery process before your treatment, and our team is here for you throughout your recovery, whether it’s a simple query about post-operative care or concerns about specific symptoms.

How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

Full results take a few months to show, once swelling and bruising have fully resolved and incisions have healed. The wait leads to a rejuvenated, uplifted shape that’s in harmony with your body.

A breast lift produces long-lasting results, though the breasts will continue to be influenced by the natural aging process, as well as factors like significant weight fluctuation, pregnancy, and gravity over time. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing supportive bras can help preserve your results for as long as possible. While a lift can’t stop the aging process entirely, most patients enjoy their firmer, more youthful contour for many years to come.

Will I Have Breast Lift Scars?

Some scarring is expected with any surgical procedure, and a breast lift is no exception. That said, our surgeons use techniques designed to keep scars as light and inconspicuous as possible, taking your individual skin type and healing capacity into account when planning incision placement.

To further reduce the appearance of scars, we recommend using an anti-scar cream during recovery, and our team will guide you on how to work it into your post-op routine.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

The average cost of a breast lift starts around $12,500, though the final number depends on your specific needs and goals. After your consultation, we’ll build a treatment plan and review a detailed cost estimate with you, along with payment options. Cost factors include:

• The surgeon’s experience and reputation
• The incision pattern used
• Type of anesthesia
• Facility, staffing, and supply costs
• Pre-op tests, post-op visits, and sometimes post-surgical garments

Medical insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures like this one, but we offer financing options to help make treatment more accessible. Self-confidence shouldn’t come with a price barrier, and we’re happy to provide a transparent, personalized estimate.

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.

Complementary Procedures to Breast Lift Surgery

A breast lift is often combined with other procedures to achieve a more complete transformation. If added volume is part of your goals, breast augmentation with implants can be performed alongside your lift, enhancing fullness while also raising the breasts to a higher position on the chest. This combined approach delivers both a lifted contour and increased volume in a single surgery.

For patients who find their breasts are also too large or heavy, a breast lift can be paired with breast reduction to address size, weight, and position at the same time.

Many of our patients also choose to combine a breast lift with body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover, restoring their pre-pregnancy figure in one comprehensive treatment plan. During your consultation, our plastic surgeons will help determine which combination of procedures best fits your goals, body, and lifestyle.

Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation

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