As women age, their breasts naturally begin to sag or droop due to the effects of gravity and the gradual loss of skin elasticity. Some women may develop sagging breasts and loose skin prematurely due to pregnancy, heredity, breast feeding, weight fluctuations, and other factors. With sagging breasts also comes a loss of substance or firmness, and the nipples and areolas may also point downward.

Technically referred to as a mastopexy, a breast lift is designed to elevate breasts that have begun to sag and droop. Once the patient has been anesthetized, Dr. Kobienia makes incisions underneath the breast, around the areola, and vertically downward between the areola and the underside of the breast. He then elevates and reshapes the breasts, removing any excess skin and resizing the areolas if necessary. At this point, the incisions are closed using sutures, further tightening the skin in the process. The breast lift procedure takes between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the scope of the surgery. Recovery can be done at home, and most patients are able to return to their normal routines within one to two weeks of their breast lift.

For patients who wish to increase the size of their breasts in addition to raising them to a more youthful position, breast implants can be placed during breast lift surgery. During your consultation with Dr. Kobienia, you will have the opportunity to discuss your options and decide whether you want to combine breast lift surgery with breast augmentation.

Please contact us online or call 612-930-1111 to schedule a FREE cosmetic consultation to discuss your options. Dr. Kobienia in Minneapolis, MN, can give you a refreshed look through breast enhancement surgery.

Your Breast Lift Surgery

After performing a brief physical exam, Dr. Kobienia will advise you on the type of incision required for your breast lift surgery. Both the “anchor” and “lollipop” techniques use an incision that extends around the areola and down toward the breast crease. The anchor technique then further extends to the left and right of the breast crease itself.

Regardless of incision method, the objective of your breast lift is to reposition tissue and improve breast shape and symmetry. This is where a breast lift is more than simply a “lift” and requires the training and experience of a surgeon like Dr. Kobienia who can create a very pleasing and satisfying shape after surgery.

During surgery, women with large areolas can have the areolas reduced in size so they remain in proportion with the new breast shape. Another option is to combine breast lift surgery with breast implants. This not only elevates the shape of the breasts, but also increases size/fullness.

General anesthesia is used for all breast lifts Dr. Kobienia performs, so you can sleep comfortably while the surgery is completed. Most surgeries take about 2 to 3 hours, and you will spend a brief time in recovery before being released to go home and begin your recovery.

Breast Lift Recovery

We will schedule a post-surgical visit with you soon after the day of surgery so that Dr. Kobienia can check on your incisions and track how well you are healing. We are available for any questions or concerns you have.

You should expect to need a couple weeks of taking it easy while recovering after breast lift surgery. We can prescribe medication to keep you comfortable, and will provide a list of things to do and not do after surgery so that you can heal well. For instance, though you will probably feel back to your usual self after 2 weeks, you will need to wait 6 weeks to begin more vigorous exercise routines.

Scarring is often a big concern for Dr. Kobienia’s patients considering a breast lift. While any incision in the skin will leave a scar, Dr. Kobienia uses techniques to minimize the appearance of any resulting scar during surgery. We can also recommend applying scar cream to help lighten the appearance of scars. Within a few months, most of our patients say that their scars are practically unnoticeable.

Breast Lift FAQs

How much does a breast lift cost?

A breast lift is an investment in yourself, helping to give you the appearance and self-confidence you want. Costs involved with a breast list include everything from the hospital and operating costs, anesthesia, prescriptions, and more. These costs are often dependent on a variety of different factors, including the experience of your surgeon and your geographical location.

How do I find the best plastic surgeon near me for a breast lift?

When choosing the right plastic surgeon for your breast lift, the most important factor is finding an experienced surgeon that you feel comfortable with. Attend a consultation and be prepared to ask questions and look at before and after photos. The surgeon you choose should be willing to answer your questions and able to provide you with photos similar to your body type so you can get a clear picture of what you can expect from your procedure.

Will a breast lift change my breast size?

A breast lift is designed to change the contour and position of your breast, helping to restore perkiness and a more youthful appearance. While this can involve the removal of excess, sagging skin, it is unlikely to change the size of your breast. If you are looking to increase or decrease your breast size, you may want to consider adding a breast augmentation or breast reduction to your breast lift.

Does a breast lift require implants?

A breast lift is designed to lift sagging breasts and to do this, implants are not necessary. However, when discussing your goals, you may decide that a lifted appearance is not your only goal, and you would like to restore upper fullness and roundness to your breasts as well. In this case, we may recommend adding a breast augmentation with implants to your breast lift in order to achieve your goals.

Am I a candidate for a breast lift?

Breast lifts address changes to the breast that can include sagging, nipples that point downward, stretched skin, uneven breasts, and more. Ideal breast lift candidates will have one or more of these concerns and be in good overall health.

Can I still have children after a breast lift?

While you can still have children after a breast lift, keep in mind that weight gain and changes that occur during pregnancy can reverse the benefits of a breast lift. In this case, you may want to consider a repeat breast lift after recovering from pregnancy.

Are breast lift results permanent?

Your breast lift results are designed to be very long-lasting, especially if you wear a supportive bra after your procedure. Unfortunately, changes to your body through aging, weight fluctuation, and pregnancy can cause your breasts to become saggy again.