plastic surgery in Miami

Whether you want to entirely reshape your breasts or just restore the look of your original breasts, Miami’s Gentera Center for Plastic Surgery can help.

A breast lift is a common type of surgery that can help to make your breasts look rounder, perkier, and more lifted. Continue reading below to learn about breast lift types, breast lift options, and whether this procedure might be right for you.

What Is Breast Lift Surgery?

Also called a mastopexy, breast lift is a popular type of cosmetic surgery. This procedure allows an individual to change the look of her breasts without inserting implants. Since 2000, the number of breast lifts has increased by 70%.

A breast lift involves taking away excess skin and tightening all of the surrounding tissue.

Instead of adding or subtracting from the overall breast volume, the goal of a breast lift is to recontour the breast. There are multiple breast lift types, including the lollipop lift, crescent lift, anchor lift, and donut lift.

Who Is Breast Lift Surgery For?

A breast lift might be for you if you are concerned about how your breasts look after childbirth or significant weight loss, if you want your breasts to look younger, and in some cases of abnormal breast development.

Breast lift surgeons primarily focus on treating sagging or elongated breasts. Over time, the skin around the breast stretches due to hormones, loss of collagen, and the effects of gravity.

Plastic surgeons in our Miami clinic will remove excess skin and raise the overall position of the breasts. This can make your breasts look like they used to before age or childbirth altered them. It can also help to reverse breast sagging due to weight loss.

In some cases, breast lifts can also help to correct abnormal breast development. Some women, regardless of age, have breasts that look tubular or droopy. A breast lift can help address breasts that point downwards instead of outwards. It gently reshapes tissue and helps alter nipple position. Since a breast lift removes skin and makes breasts look firmer, it may slightly decrease your cup size.

Despite their significant results, a breast lifts are not always the most drastic breast surgery option. If your goal is to significantly change your breast size or make the top of the breast look rounder, you might benefit from options like breast implants.

Your breast lift surgeons may recommend a breast lift alongside other procedures like breast reduction, depending on your situation.

Common Breast Lift Types: Anchor Lift, Crescent Lift, Donut Lift, & Lollipop Lift

When exploring your breast lift options, you may notice that there are different types of lifts. The main difference between breast lift types is simply where the breast lift surgeons place the incisions. Each style has its pros and cons.

Anchor Lift: An anchor lift involves making a circular incision around the nipple, a vertical incision to the bottom of the breast, and a curved incision along the crease at the bottom of the breast. It’s excellent for situations where you need dramatic reshaping, but scars will be visible.
Crescent Lift: This involves a small incision just along the top half of the areola. It doesn’t work in situations where you need more than a small lift. However, it has minimal scarring.
Donut Lift: Your doctor places an incision around the areola, and then removes tissue or skin through this small opening. Breast lift surgeons often use this type of lift if you have mild sagging, and it can also reduce areola size if you want.
Lollipop Lift: This lift looks like a donut lift, with the addition of a vertical line down the bottom of the breast. Since the incisions are larger, your doctors can remove extra skin and shape the breasts even more.

Is a Breast Lift Right for You?

To make sure one of these breast lift options will work for you, your doctor will pay close attention to your health, breast shape, and aesthetic goals.

You might be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if:

You don’t like how your breasts droop or sag.
Your main goal is to make your breasts look like they did before childbirth or aging.
You are in good health and do not have any serious illnesses.
You’ve noticed your nipples fall below your breast crease, and you aren’t happy with their appearance.
Your areola seems oversized or misshapen in proportion to the rest of your breast.
One of your breasts is drooping lower than the other.

What to Expect With a Breast Lift Surgery

The process starts with a consultation at our Miami plastic surgery center. Your doctor will talk to you about your breast lift options and create a treatment plan that suits your goals.

On the day of your surgery, you will go to either an outpatient surgical facility or a hospital. Typically, breast lifts happen under general anesthesia.

After the procedure, your surgical staff will cover the incision sites and give you a surgical support bra. There is some risk of infection after the procedure, but chances are minimal as long as you follow your doctor’s care instructions.

During the first few days after your surgery, you will need to take it easy and should not perform any strenuous activities. You should begin walking the evening of your surgery and walk at least five times a day. There will be some discomfort, so your doctor may prescribe pain medication.

You can usually go back to work after about a week. However, it may be six weeks before you can lift anything heavier than 5 pounds.

Your surgeon will discuss with you all postoperative instructions in more detail. Make sure to follow them.

How Soon Can You See Results From a Breast Lift?

As soon as the surgery is over, your breast shape will be noticeably different. In the first few weeks of recovery, your breasts might look swollen or misshapen. However, as your body heals, the shape will start to change and settle. By around six months after the procedure, your final results will be visible.

Scars tend to look somewhat red and lumpy at first. Over time, they will soften and lighten. The final scars from a breast lift are usually a pale, thin line around the incision site. They typically are minimal within one to two years.

Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation in Miami

Now that you know a little more about breast lifts, are you ready to get started? At Gentera Center for Plastic Surgery in Miami, we love helping patients boost their confidence. Our team of highly trained plastic surgeons can assist you with finding the right procedure for your goals.

Breast Lift Surgery: Everything You Need to Know