Breast lift surgery (also known as mastopexy) lifts and reshapes breasts that have lost their shape. It repositions the breast tissue and the nipple, and on its own it does not change breast size. Over time, factors such as pregnancy, weight loss, and the natural ageing process can cause the breasts to lose firmness and sag, a condition known as ptosis. Mastopexy aims to reposition the breast tissue and raise the nipple-areola complex, which changes the shape and position of the breast.
If pregnancy, weight changes or ageing have changed your breast shape, a breast lift may be worth discussing. What it can achieve depends on your anatomy and is settled at consultation. At Lux Plastic Surgery in Bedford, the operation is planned around your anatomy and your goals, and what is realistically achievable is discussed before you decide.
What is Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is designed to lift and reshape sagging or drooping breasts. The procedure tightens the skin around the breasts, raises the nipple-areola complex, and changes the breast contour. Mastopexy focuses on the positioning of the breasts rather than their size, although it can be combined with breast augmentation (implants or fat transfer) if volume enhancement is also desired.
The surgery is ideal for women who have experienced significant breast sagging due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or simply ageing. The procedure addresses issues such as nipple positioning, breast tissue volume, and skin laxity, and changes the shape and position of the breast. Each surgical plan is made around your anatomy and what you want, and what is realistically achievable is discussed before you decide.
Service Details
Expected Surgery Time
3 hours
Done Under
General Anaesthesia
Hospitalisation
Day
Drains Required
No Hours
Supporting Garment
Sports bra for 6 weeks post procedure
Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery offers numerous benefits, including:
Restoring Shape and Firmness: If pregnancy, weight loss, or ageing has caused your breasts to sag, mastopexy can change the firmness and shape of your breasts.
Improving Symmetry: The procedure can help correct asymmetry, with the aim of shaping and positioning both breasts more evenly.
Confidence: Some patients say they feel more comfortable with their appearance afterwards. How you will feel is not something surgery can promise.
Natural-Looking Results: Unlike implants, which change the size of the breasts, mastopexy focuses on lifting and reshaping them, which tends to give a more natural outcome.
what happens during a breast lift Procedure
Breast lift surgery typically takes 3 hours to complete, depending on the extent of the lift required. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, ensuring you are completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
Incision Types: The type of incision used during mastopexy depends on the degree of breast ptosis (sagging). The most common incision types are:
- Periareolar (around the areola): Suitable for mild sagging and smaller lifts.
- Vertical Incision: Extends from the areola to the breast crease and is used for moderate ptosis.
- Inverted T (Anchor Incision): For more extensive lifting, this incision surrounds the areola, extends vertically to the breast crease, and follows the fold beneath the breast.
- Periareolar (around the areola): Suitable for mild sagging and smaller lifts.
- Breast Reshaping: After making the incisions, the surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the underlying breast tissue. The nipples and areolas are repositioned to a higher, more youthful location. If necessary, the surgeon may also perform a breast augmentation by inserting implants or using fat transfer to add volume.
Closing the Incisions: Once the desired shape is achieved, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures. You’ll be monitored in the recovery area before being allowed to go home the same day.
Recovery and Aftercare
After your breast lift surgery, proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. While recovery times can vary from person to person, the following guidelines apply:
Immediate Recovery: Expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first few days. Pain medication will be prescribed to manage any discomfort, and a sports bra will be required for 6 weeks to provide support and minimise swelling.
First Follow-Up: You’ll have a follow-up appointment within the first week, and another one after two weeks to check your healing progress and remove any stitches. During this time, you should avoid lifting or straining.
Return to Work and Activities: You can return to light work after 2-3 weeks, but avoid strenuous physical activities and heavy lifting during the first month. By 4 weeks, you can resume moderate physical activity, but 6 weeks is usually required to return to full physical activity, including workouts.
Long-Term Healing: The settled result becomes visible after the swelling has completely subsided, typically around 3-6 months. During this time, the breasts will settle into their final position, and you’ll be able to see what the surgery has achieved.
Risks and Considerations
As with any surgical procedure, breast lift surgery carries some risks, including infection, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation.
The risk of each is lower in experienced hands, but none can be ruled out, and they are gone through with you before you decide. Your surgeon is Professor Sandip Hindocha at Lux Plastic Surgery.
You will be given written aftercare instructions, told what to watch for, and given a number to call if something does not look right.
Why Choose Lux Plastic Surgery?
At Lux Plastic Surgery in Bedford, we recognise that every woman’s body is unique. That’s why we personalise each procedure to suit your individual needs and goals. Whether you want to restore breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or enhance the natural shape and contours of your breasts, the aim is a result that suits your frame and looks natural. Explore our breast reshaping surgery options if reducing volume is also part of what you want.
Professor Sandip Hindocha is a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeon who specialises in breast surgery. Professor Hindocha takes the time to understand what you want from surgery, and will tell you if he does not think it is achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the cost of a breast lift in Bedford?
Pricing for a breast lift reflects both the surgical approach and the patient’s individual factors. During your consultation, we will provide an individualised quote for your procedure. We also offer financing options to help you manage the cost of the surgery.
2. How long does healing take following a breast lift?
The initial recovery period takes about 1-2 weeks, during which you should avoid strenuous activities. Most patients can return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks. Final results typically appear within 3 to 6 months, after swelling has fully resolved.
3. Does a breast lift change shape or size?
A breast lift primarily focuses on reshaping and lifting the breasts rather than increasing or decreasing their size. If you want to increase breast size, a breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation using implants.
4. How long can the effects of a breast lift be expected to last?
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, but factors such as ageing, weight changes and pregnancy can affect the shape of your breasts over time. However, the improvements you experience from the surgery can last for many years.
5. Who is considered a good candidate for a breast lift?
If you’re in good health, have realistic expectations, and are bothered by sagging breasts, you are likely a good candidate for a breast lift. Book a consultation with Professor Hindocha to find out whether a breast lift suits you.
Our most advanced breast augmentation — a tissue-preserving technique that protects your natural breast tissue and sensation, performed by certified Preservé surgeon Professor Sandip Hindocha.
Explore Motiva PreservéConsidering Breast Lift?
Your consultation is with Professor Sandip Hindocha, a GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeon. He will examine you, talk through whether this procedure is appropriate for you, and explain the risks and the likely recovery before you decide anything.
Clinics in Bedford, London, Manchester, Cheshire and Newton-le-Willows.