A breast lift improves breast fullness by reshaping sagging breasts, tightening the breast skin, and elevating nipple position. Many women choose a breast lift to address sagging from past pregnancies, massive weight loss, and the natural effects of aging and menopause. This sagging is called “ptosis,” and a breast lift is tailored to your unique body, depending on the amount of ptosis that needs to be corrected.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon specializes in breast, face, and body procedures.
Dr. David Bogue has the skill and experience necessary to deliver stunning results that achieve your aesthetic goals for your breasts and body shape. Dr. Bogue is committed to providing outstanding cosmetic results for each of his patients and to give you the individualized care you deserve.
If you’re interested in a breast lift, please contact Dr. Bogue in Boca Raton today at 561-886-1000 to schedule your initial consultation and discuss your breast surgery options. Our plastic surgeon and skilled staff provide plastic surgery to patients in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding areas of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Women who come to our Boca Raton office interested in a breast lift typically have similar questions, which include:
- Do I Need a Breast Lift?
- How is a Breast Lift Performed?
- What are My Breast Lift Options?
- Do I Need a Breast Lift and Breast Implants?
- Who Qualifies for a Breast Lift?
- How Long Do Results for a Breast Lift Last?
- What’s the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation?
- Can a Breast Lift Reduce My Breast Size?
- Is it Possible to Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?
- What Should I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?
- How Can I Finance My Breast Lift?
- Where Can I Get a Breast Lift Consultation in Boca Raton?
Do I Need a Breast Lift?
Whether or not a breast lift is right for you depends on the current placement of your breasts and nipples. Some women mistake breast deflation for breast drooping. Breast deflation (which can be seen on the upper pole of the breasts where it may seem sunken or flat) often requires breast augmentation with breast implants. Breast drooping often occurs after pregnancy and breastfeeding because your breasts became larger to accommodate feeding your little one. Afterward, your breasts are supposed to contract to their original size, but this often results in sagging because the skin did not contract with the breast tissue. This sagging and excess skin also occur after losing a significant amount of weight.
You may be able to discern if a breast lift is right for you simply by looking at your side profile in the mirror to determine where your nipples are in relation to the crease or fold underneath your breasts. You may need a lift if your nipples are situated below that crease when you’re not wearing a bra. If your nipples seem to be pointing downward, your breast shape is elongated, the skin looks stretched on your breasts, or your breast volume doesn’t “match” the skin tissue.
The “Pencil Test” is another option you can try at home to see if a breast lift would be right for you. Grab a pencil and place it beneath one of your breasts in the fold. If the pencil stays in place when you remove your hand, you’re likely an excellent candidate for a breast lift. However, the only way to find out which breast surgery is best for your cosmetic goals is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bogue, our board-certified plastic surgeon.
How is a Breast Lift Performed?
A breast lift is typically performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. Usually, the procedure is outpatient, so you will not need to stay overnight after the surgery. During the 1-2-hour procedure, Dr. Bogue reshapes the breast gland and tightens excess skin. An implant can also be added at this point if you have decided to combine your breast lift with a breast augmentation. Dr. Bogue repositions the nipples to the center of each breast and can reduce the size of the areolas as well.
After your breast lift, you'll need to take some time off from work, physical exertion and other activities while your body recovers. Most of Dr. Bogue's patients return to regular activities 2-3 weeks after the procedure. You'll wear special support bras for up to six weeks after surgery. You will notice an improvement in breast shape and position immediately, and your results will continue to improve as the swelling dissipates in the several months following your breast lift.
What are My Breast Lift Options?
You have several options for breast lift techniques and incision sites, and this depends on the degree of breast sagging. Dr. Bogue offers these five breast lift options:
- The Anchor Incision—for severe sagging
- The Lollipop Lift or “Keyhole” Incision—for moderate sagging
- The Donut Lift—for mild to moderate sagging
- The Crescent Lift—for minimal sagging
- The Scarless Lift—for minimal sagging
Learn more about these incision options and techniques in the infographic below.
Do I Need a Breast Lift and Breast Implants?
Breast implants are commonly used at the same time as a lift (called augmentation mastopexy). The primary need for a breast lift is to address excess skin tissue which causes your breasts to sag and look deflated. This problem can be solved by removing that extra skin, adding volume, or both—which is why the breast lift and breast augmentation procedures complement each other so nicely. By utilizing both breast surgeries at once, less skin will need to be removed because you’re adding volume with the breast implants.
Typically, Dr. Bogue recommends breast implants with your breast lift if:
- Your breast size is your main concern, but you would also benefit from a lift to center the nipples on the breast mound.
- Your breast shape is what you’re most interested in changing, but you can also benefit from increasing the fullness in the upper portion of your breasts.
Implants allow you to have long-lasting fullness in the upper “pole” of the breasts and a more youthful appearance with the breast lift.
Who Qualifies for a Breast Lift?
The best candidates for a breast lift are unhappy with the volume or shape of their breasts and the degree of sagging caused by age, pregnancy, or weight loss. You should be in good health, at a stable weight, a non-smoker, and have the time available to recover properly from your breast lift. If you are a smoker, you will need to quit for several weeks prior and after your breast surgery to ensure a safe procedure and healing.
Of course, there are other caveats that may make someone a better candidate for another procedure such as breast augmentation or breast reduction. The best way to figure out if you qualify for a breast lift is to contact our plastic surgeon, Dr. Bogue, for a consultation in Boca Raton.
How Long Do Results for a Breast Lift Last?
Breast lift results can last for decades. Gravity, over the years, can return breast ptosis, but your breasts will be more youthful and raised in a higher position, so the sagging will not be as pronounced as would be the case if a breast lift had not been performed. How long your breast lift results last depend on whether you have large fluctuations in weight and hormones such as pregnancy or menopause and also the quality and thickness of your skin tissue.
Essentially, your breasts will age more gracefully than they would have before your lift, but pregnancy and gaining or losing weight can cause changes to your results.
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What’s the Difference Between Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift?
The goal of a breast lift procedure is to remove excess skin that has caused the sagging to develop while tightening the surrounding tissues and repositioning the nipples (areolas). A breast lift does not increase the size of your breasts. However, the primary goal of breast augmentation is to do just that. Breast augmentation is done with breast implants or fat transfer which uses your fat cells to increase volume instead of a saline or silicone implant. A breast lift addresses sagging and drooping. Breast augmentation focuses on deflation in the upper breasts or to simply increase the size.
Can a Breast Lift Reduce My Breast Size?
The breast lift procedure offers a slight benefit of breast reduction. The procedure may decrease breast size by 1-1 ½ cup sizes by removing the excess skin tissue and raising the location of the breasts. If you wish to have a significant reduction in breast size, we are often able to combine the breast lift with a breast reduction to give you your desired results. Or, if your main concern is the largeness and degree of ptosis of your breasts, a breast reduction may be a better fit for you.
Dr. Bogue can help you determine which procedure will work for you or if a combination of the two will provide the best outcome.
Is it Possible to Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?
A majority of women who have a breast lift go on to breastfeed just fine, but many find that they need to supplement with formula as they don’t produce the same amount of milk they did for their last child. A small group of women who have breast lifts won’t be able to breastfeed afterward, but this is rare. Discuss this possibility with Dr. Bogue during your consultation in Boca Raton. The type of breast lift you have will also impact whether you’re able to breastfeed future children.
What Should I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?
You’ll need someone available to drive you home the day of your procedure and to stay with you for the first 24-48 hours. You’ll likely have a compression garment or support bra and will need to follow all post-operative instructions from Dr. Bogue. Avoid lifting heavy objects (more than 5-10 pounds) and stay away from exercises until you’re given the okay to resume your exercise routine. Breast lift patients can often go back to work around five days following a breast lift. It’s important that you stay on top of your prescribed medications, drink plenty of water, and have nutritional meals pre-made to ensure you’re getting enough to eat.
How Can I Finance My Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure which means your insurance company will not cover the cost. However, at our Boca Raton plastic surgery office, Dr. Bogue offers a few options for financing your procedure. Dr. Bogue and his staff will give you a price quote following your consultation which outlines the cost of the procedure, the anesthesia, and the surgical facility cost. Pricing varies based on complexity for the procedure and patient as our plastic surgeon believes in customizing your procedure to fit your body and cosmetic goals. We offer CareCredit financial assistance.
What Causes Breasts to Sag?
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: During pregnancy, the breasts often enlarge due to hormonal changes and milk production. After breastfeeding, the breasts can lose volume and elasticity, leading to sagging. The repetitive cycle of engorgement and depletion during breastfeeding further stretches the skin and ligaments.
- Weight Fluctuations: Significant weight gain stretches the skin, and subsequent weight loss can leave behind excess skin that lacks the elasticity to retract, resulting in saggy breasts. Rapid or extreme weight changes are particularly impactful.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormones play a significant role in the firmness and elasticity of breast tissue. Fluctuations during menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation can all contribute to sagging as they affect the skin's collagen and elastin.
- Genetics: Genetic predisposition can determine skin elasticity and breast density, which influence how likely breasts are to sag. Some individuals might inherit weaker connective tissues, leading to earlier or more pronounced sagging.
- Aging: As a natural part of aging, the ligaments that support the breasts (Cooper's ligaments) can stretch, and the skin loses its elasticity, leading to a gradual sagging of the breasts.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet can accelerate the loss of skin elasticity. Lack of proper support during physical activities can also contribute to the stretching of ligaments and subsequent sagging.
How Is Breast Ptosis (Sagging) Classified?
Breast ptosis is classified into different grades based on the position of the nipple relative to the inframammary fold (the crease under the breast):
- Grade 1 (Mild Ptosis): The nipple is at the level of the inframammary fold but remains above the lower contour of the breast.
- Grade 2 (Moderate Ptosis): The nipple is below the inframammary fold but higher than most of the breast tissue.
- Grade 3 (Severe Ptosis): The nipple is at the lowest part of the breast and points downward.
- Pseudoptosis: The nipple is at or above the inframammary fold, but the majority of the breast tissue sags below the fold.
Comprehensive Overview of Breast Lift Techniques
Anchor Lift (Inverted-T Lift): Suitable for severe ptosis. This technique involves three incisions: around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease, allowing for significant reshaping.
Lollipop Lift (Vertical Lift): Used for moderate ptosis. It includes incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease, enabling the removal of excess skin and reshaping with less scarring than the anchor lift.
Donut Lift (Periareolar Lift): Best for mild ptosis or smaller breasts. This technique involves a circular incision around the areola, which is useful for minor adjustments and can be combined with augmentation.
Crescent Lift: Ideal for very mild ptosis. It involves a small incision running halfway around the top half of the areola. This technique is often used when a slight lift is needed, usually in conjunction with breast augmentation.
Scarless Lift: Technically, all lifts involve some scarring, but "scarless" techniques refer to methods like radiofrequency or laser treatments that aim to tighten the skin without traditional cuts. These are suitable for very mild sagging and skin tightening rather than actual lifting.
Where Can I Get a Breast Lift Consultation in Boca Raton?
It’s important to come to your breast lift consultation prepared with questions and make sure you’re meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) requires certified doctors to complete additional training hours, a written exam, and a two-day oral exam.
Dr. Bogue is ABPS-certified and is available to meet with you at our Boca Raton office. Contact us today at 561-886-1000 to schedule your consultation. You can also fill out the appointment request form on this page, and our staff will help you set up your meeting. We serve patients in the West Palm Beach area of Florida including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
