Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and aging can all cause the breasts to lose their youthful position and firmness. If you’re happy with your breast size but want to address sagging, a breast lift can raise and reshape the breasts for a more uplifted, youthful contour.
At The Brandow Clinic Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Kirk Brandow offers breast lift surgery to patients in Main Line Philadelphia and Somers Point, NJ. His approach focuses on restoring a natural, proportional shape that complements your body.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that elevates the breasts by removing excess skin, tightening surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple and areola. The goal is to improve shape and firmness without significantly altering breast size.
A breast lift can:
- Restore a more youthful breast position
- Improve symmetry between the breasts
- Reshape and firm stretched or flattened breast tissue
- Resize and reposition the areolas for better proportion
If you’d also like to increase breast size, a lift can be combined with breast augmentation during the same procedure.
When to Choose a Combination Procedure
While a breast lift alone addresses sagging, some patients choose to combine it with implants for added volume or fullness in the upper breast. Implant type, size, and shape vary widely, and the right choice depends on your anatomy, goals, and surgeon’s recommendations.
During your consultation, Dr. Brandow will discuss available options and determine whether combining a lift with augmentation is the best approach for you.
How the Procedure Works
Breast lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a certified surgical facility. The type of incision and technique used will depend on the degree of sagging, your skin quality, and your desired outcome. Common incision patterns include around the areola, around the areola with a vertical line down the breast, or in an anchor shape.
Once the incisions are made, Dr. Brandow lifts and reshapes the breast tissue, repositions the nipple and areola, and removes excess skin. The incisions are then closed with fine sutures.
Recovery typically involves:
- Mild swelling and soreness for the first 1–2 weeks
- Returning to light activities within about a week
- Avoiding strenuous exercise for 4–6 weeks
Results are visible immediately and continue to improve as swelling subsides.
Who Is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have sagging breasts that have lost shape or firmness
- Are satisfied with your breast size but want a lifted position
- Have nipples that point downward or sit below the breast crease
- Are in good overall health and at a stable weight
Dr. Brandow will evaluate your goals and anatomy to recommend the right technique for your needs.
Why Choose The Brandow Clinic for a Breast Lift?
With more than 30 years of surgical experience, Dr. Kirk Brandow has helped countless patients achieve natural, youthful breast contours. His detailed planning and refined surgical technique ensure that results are tailored to your body and your vision.
When you choose The Brandow Clinic, you receive:
- A customized surgical plan based on your proportions and goals
- Care in a private, state-certified surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists
- Clear guidance through every stage of the process, from consultation to recovery
Dr. Brandow’s focus on proportion and symmetry ensures that your results are exceptional.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can someone get a breast lift?
There’s no “set” age for a breast lift. Surgeons typically recommend waiting until breast development is complete and postponing surgery until after childbearing if possible, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect results.
What causes breasts to sag and require a lift?
Sagging (ptosis) is usually caused by aging, loss of skin elasticity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and genetics. Gravity also naturally pulls the breast tissue downward over time, making the skin and ligaments stretch and lose firmness.
Can a breast lift make my breasts bigger?
A breast lift reshapes and raises the breasts, but does not increase breast volume. If you’d like larger breasts, a lift can be combined with breast implants.
Will a breast lift reduce my breast size?
A breast lift removes excess skin, not significant breast tissue. However, breasts may appear slightly smaller or more compact because they are firmer, lifted, and reshaped.
What are the different types of breast lift techniques?
The main breast lift techniques include:
Crescent lift – small incision above the areola, for minimal sagging.
Periareolar (donut) lift – incision around the areola, good for mild sagging.
Vertical (lollipop) lift – incision completely around the areola and vertically down, for moderate sagging.
Anchor (inverted-T) lift – incision around the areola, vertically down, and along the breast crease, for significant sagging.
Will the nipples be repositioned during the surgery?
Yes. The nipple and areola are moved to be higher up for a more youthful, natural look. They remain attached to the underlying tissue to preserve blood flow and sensation.
Can the areola size be reduced during a breast lift?
Yes. If your areolas have stretched or appear enlarged, your surgeon can reduce their size during the breast lift for better proportion.
Will I lose nipple sensation after the procedure?
Some changes in nipple or breast sensation are common after surgery. In most cases, sensation gradually returns over time. Permanent loss of sensation is possible but rare.
Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?
Many women can still breastfeed, as the milk ducts and glandular tissue are typically preserved. However, there is a small chance that breastfeeding may be more difficult depending on the technique used.
Will I have to wear a special bra after surgery?
Yes. A surgical bra can help keep swelling down, support healing, and allow the breasts to settle into their new shape.
When will I see the final results?
Improvements in breast position will be immediately noticeable after surgery. However, swelling and healing take time. Final results usually become visible within three to six months as the breasts settle.
How long do results from a breast lift last?
Results can last many years, but no surgery can stop the natural aging process. Maintaining a stable weight, wearing supportive bras, and a healthy lifestyle can help prolong results.
How will aging affect my results?
Over time, skin may gradually lose elasticity, and breasts may sag again, though usually less than before surgery. A healthy lifestyle and supportive bras can help slow these changes.
Lift and Reshape for a Youthful Silhouette
A breast lift can restore the confidence that comes with a more youthful breast position and shape. Whether on its own or combined with augmentation, Dr. Brandow will guide you toward the option that best fits your goals. To learn more, call (610) 617-7949 for our Main Line Philadelphia office or (609) 653-2220 for our Somers Point, NJ location.