Is a breast lift worth it? – Breast lift eligibility and more

Over time your breasts can droop. The causes of sagging breasts include tension on the ligaments and connective tissue (gravity) – especially if the breasts are large- weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding and age. Unfortunately, atypical-shaped breasts can have a significant impact on body image and mental health.

Many women choose to get a breast lift mastopexy to achieve the perfect breast shape or restore a more youthful breast contour. For those seeking a breast lift natural in appearance, today’s techniques focus on subtle enhancement and preserving your body’s proportions and blood supply.

Discover whether the procedure is appropriate for you and which type of breast uplift mastopexy you’re the best fit for. Learn when to time your breast lift and weigh up whether the cosmetic procedure is worth it.

Do you need a breast lift?

Unlike breast reduction surgery, there is usually no medical requirement to get a breast uplift mastopexy aside from aesthetic preferences. You may need a (and secondary breast lift) if your large breasts cause daily backache, discomfort, or poor mental health. Contact your GP about treatment on the NHS for pain-related breast concerns.

Someone may decide to get a breast lift if saggy breasts and breast loss are impacting their body image and daily life. Breasts sag due to factors such as aging, pregnancy, and weight loss, which affect skin elasticity and cause the skin to lose its firmness and support. Breast asymmetry and deflated breasts are commonly associated with breast sagging and can further knock your confidence.

Sagging breasts, asymmetry and deflation are unfortunately irreversible and plastic surgery is the only permanent solution. Breast uplift involves procedures designed to reshape sagging breasts and restore a more youthful breast contour. If you decide you want to take the next step to the perfect boobs, Inquire with us today.

The primary goal of a breast lift is to improve the shape of your breasts and nipple position rather than significantly changing their size.

Women who have undergone breast uplift surgery often report increased self-esteem, a greater sense of femininity, and improved quality of life. Patients often feel more comfortable in their clothing and report a higher quality of life following breast uplift surgery.

Each breast lift technique is suitable for different degrees of sagging and skin elasticity, and your aesthetic plastic surgeons will help you choose the best option.

Book an initial consultation appointment to learn about your treatment options.

The best time to get a breast lift

While there is no perfect time to get a breast uplift mastopexy, you’ll want to consider how family planning, finances, lifestyle and age might affect your cosmetic surgery journey.

• Family planning – Pregnancy and breastfeeding will alter the breast size and shape, so consider waiting until you have finished your planned pregnancies and breastfeeding before getting permanent breast alteration surgery. A secondary cosmetic procedure may be costly, unnecessary and pose higher risks.
• Lifestyle – The breast uplift mastopexy surgery requires 4-8 weeks recovery time and an advised 2 weeks off work and driving. You’ll need to be in a position where you’re able to take this time to rest and recover from a breast uplift mastopexy.
• Finances – Although finance options are available for you to split the breast uplift cost, you’ll need to ensure you can comfortably afford the procedure. Many clinics offer flexible payment options for breast uplift surgery, including interest-free finance plans, to help manage the costs. Read out the cost of a breast lift to learn about paying for your procedure.
• Age – your age will impact your recovery time. As we get older, our skin loses collagen and blood flow can weaken. This can affect how quickly you recover and how noticeable your scars will be.

Permanent scars are inevitable after breast lift surgery, although they usually fade over time and are typically concealed by clothing. The appearance of scars can vary depending on your skin tone, with darker skin sometimes experiencing more visible scarring, so proper scar management and postoperative care are important for optimal healing.

Patients are advised to wear a support bra without underwiring for 24 hours a day for the first six weeks to aid healing, minimise swelling, and support the breasts during recovery.

Which breast lift is right for you?

There are several breast uplift mastopexy techniques, each designed to reshape breasts and address varying degrees of sagging by removing extra skin and tightening breast skin.

• The crescent lift involves a small crescent-shaped incision along the upper half of the areola, ideal for minimal sagging and resulting in minimal scarring.
• The periareolar (donut) lift uses a circular incision around the areola and is suitable for mild to moderate sagging.
• The vertical (lollipop) lift involves a circular incision around the areola and a vertical cut underneath to the breast crease, allowing for more significant reshaping and correction of unevenness between breasts.
• The anchor (inverted-T) lift uses an incision pattern that forms an anchor shape, with a vertical cut underneath the breast and along the breast crease, making it suitable for severe sagging and removal of extra skin.

These breast lift techniques are categorized based on the amount of skin needing removal, which affects the incision pattern and resulting vertical scar or anchor lift scar. All breast uplift procedures offer the opportunity for nipple and areola correction, improved nipple position, and can help clothing fit better by creating a newly shaped breasts contour. During the breast lift procedure, excess skin is removed, and glandular tissue and surrounding tissue may be repositioned or tightened to achieve a firmer, more youthful breast contour.

Minimally invasive breast lift techniques, such as the crescent lift, can be useful as a secondary breast lift for minor sagging, providing minimal scarring, but are unhelpful for major breast deformities. The main consideration you’ll need to make is whether to get breast implants or opt for an implant-free breast uplift.

Breast lift with breast augmentation

The more common choice is a breast lift combined with a breast augmentation. Women with smaller breasts often experience longer-lasting results from breast uplift, while those with very large breasts may require additional procedures such as breast reduction to address both size and sagging. You’ll lose some breast volume to the uplift procedure. Implants replace this lost volume and also restore breast fullness, particularly in the upper pole, where volume can lack.

Most breast lift techniques preserve the milk ducts, allowing many women to breast feed after surgery, though some techniques may reduce this ability. It is important to note that changes in breast and nipple sensation, including nipple sensation reduced ability, are possible after surgery. Complications specific to breast uplift surgery can include infection, swelling, blood clot, loss of skin including the areola and nipple, changes in breast and nipple sensation, and reduced ability to breastfeed.

By combining the breast lift and augmentation you’ll pay slightly more than the implant-free alternative. However, you’ll save money, time and discomfort compared to getting these surgical procedures separately.

Breast lift without implants

Many women prefer a more natural breast shape and feel, so they opt for an implant-free breast lift. The downside of an implant-free breast uplift is a loss of overall breast volume. Use of a biological mesh to replicate your natural connective tissue can help provide long-lasting lift, even without silicone implants.

Women with larger breasts, looking for a reduction and lift can benefit from full and natural-looking breasts without the need for implants.

If you want an implant-free breast lift, get in touch to discuss your options.

Is a breast lift worth it?

The impact of a breast uplift mastopexy depends on how your current breast shape affects your confidence and daily life. Everyone deserves a body they feel beautiful in and plastic surgery is not always the only answer.

Recovery from breast uplift surgery typically takes a few weeks, with most patients able to return to normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Engaging in regular exercise for upper body strength can help aid recovery. It is common to experience mild pain and sensitivity in the breasts for up to a month after surgery; if you experience severe pain, you should report it to your surgeon immediately. Breast uplift results improve gradually over approximately six months, with breasts becoming softer and more natural in appearance. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled at intervals during the first six months post-surgery to monitor your recovery and ensure proper healing, and your healthcare team will support you throughout the process.

Breast surgery is a permanent solution to your dissatisfactions and can be life-changing for some women struggling with these insecurities. To make the decision easier, we offer 0% financing options for all our surgical procedures.

Elena Prousskaia is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering world-class treatment and patient care. Don’t just take our word for it, read our reviews and testimonials or view our breast lift results.

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Frequently Asked Questions and Common queries

What‘s the difference between breast lift and breast augmentation

The breast augmentation enhances the shape of your breasts and size by using breast implants. Meanwhile, the breast lift removes excess skin and breast tissue to correct sagging. It’s common to pair a breast augmentation and breast lift for the best cosmetic outcome.

How soon after breastfeeding can you get breast lift?

We’d recommend waiting at least 6 months after finishing breastfeeding to get the breast uplift mastopexy surgery. As your breast milk dries up, the shape and size will change. It’s important to wait for the breasts to settle after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What to read next

• • How much does the breast lift cost?
  • What does the breast lift involve?