Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Key Takeaways
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and supports existing breast tissue to correct sagging, drooping nipples, and stretched areolas for a more lifted contour.
Breast lifts can be customized with different incision patterns and, when appropriate, combined with implants or fat transfer to address both breast position and volume.
Preparation and recovery include clear guidance on medications, lifestyle changes, incision care, activity limits, and a healing timeline that usually spans several months.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and understanding realistic outcomes, potential scars, and long-term changes helps you make an informed decision.
Mirror Plastic Surgery offers detailed consultations with Dr. Akash to create a personalized breast lift plan that focuses on safety, function, and natural-looking results. Schedule a consultation to explore your options.
Why Choose Mirror Plastic Surgery for Your Breast Lift
Concierge-Level Planning For Your Procedure
Mirror Plastic Surgery uses a concierge-style model, so your breast lift process starts with an in-depth, personalized consultation that often lasts up to an hour. This visit focuses on your anatomy, concerns, and goals instead of a rushed, high-volume approach. You receive a tailored surgical plan and detailed information about what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Focus On Safety, Function, And Natural Shape
The practice prioritizes safety, then function, then aesthetics. Advanced pre-operative assessments and careful surgical techniques aim to reduce risks and support breast health and comfort. The goal is a natural, proportional lift that fits your body and holds up well over time, not an overdone or exaggerated look.
Expertise Of Dr. Akash
Dr. Akash is a Harvard-educated, Johns Hopkins–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reshaping procedures. His approach to mastopexy emphasizes restoring youthful contours while preserving breast integrity and sensation. Recognition as one of America's Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek for two consecutive years reflects this expertise. His patients receive careful planning, thoughtful technique selection, and follow-up that support both aesthetic and functional results.
Book a consultation with Dr. Akash to review your breast lift options.
Understanding the Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Procedure
Causes Of Breast Sagging
Breasts change over time due to gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight shifts. These factors can cause sagging, a drop in nipple position, and stretched areolas. A breast lift can improve breast position and shape without necessarily increasing breast size.
Who Is A Good Candidate
Ideal candidates are in good general health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations. Common concerns include:
Breasts that hang lower than desired
Nipples that point downward or sit below the breast crease
Loss of breast shape or firmness after pregnancy or weight change
Enlarged or stretched areolas
How A Breast Lift Works
A breast lift reshapes and supports breast tissue by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple and areola to a higher point on the breast. Dr. Akash selects incision patterns based on your degree of sagging and goals, including:
Periareolar incision around the areola
Vertical or “lollipop” incision around the areola and down to the crease
Anchor or inverted T incision for more significant sagging
Incisions are planned to balance lift, shape, and scar placement in a way that fits your anatomy.
Results You Can Expect
Most patients notice firmer, perkier, and more youthful-looking breasts after surgery. A lift can:
Raise and reshape the breast mound
Reposition and often reduce the size of the areola
Improve breast symmetry and projection
Patients who also want more volume can combine a lift with implants or fat transfer. This combination often allows smaller implants to achieve proportional results.
Preparing For Your Breast Lift At Mirror Plastic Surgery
Your Consultation With Dr. Akash
The process starts with a detailed consultation that includes a physical exam, review of medical history, and photographs. You and Dr. Akash discuss your goals, incision options, breast size preferences, and whether a lift alone or a lift with augmentation best fits your needs.
Pre-Operative Instructions
Once your plan is set, you receive written pre-operative instructions. These often cover:
Medications and supplements to stop before surgery, such as aspirin or certain anti-inflammatories
Smoking cessation, which is essential for wound healing
Arrangements for transportation and support on surgery day
What to wear and bring on the day of your procedure
Planning The Weeks Before Surgery
The team helps you complete any required lab work or medical clearances. You also review anesthesia plans, timing, and what to expect when you arrive at the surgery center. The goal is a clear, low-stress plan so you feel prepared.
Lifestyle Adjustments To Support Healing
Dr. Akash may recommend specific changes to optimize your outcome, such as stopping nicotine use, reducing alcohol intake, and maintaining a stable weight. These steps support circulation, reduce complications, and help your results last longer. Schedule your consultation to receive a personalized pre-operative checklist.
Your Breast Lift Recovery Journey
Post-Operative Care Basics
You go home with detailed instructions that explain how to care for incisions, empty drains if used, and wear your surgical or support bra. Clear guidance on bathing, sleep position, and follow-up visits helps protect your healing tissues and incisions.
Healing Timeline
Most patients notice swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the first week. Typical milestones include:
Return to light daily activities in about one week
Gradual return to moderate exercise over 3 to 4 weeks
Resume higher-impact exercise, such as running or heavy lifting, around 4 to 6 weeks if cleared
Continued scar maturation and softening over 12 to 18 months
Managing Discomfort
Pain is usually mild to moderate and often improves over the first several days. Prescribed pain medication and over-the-counter options, when appropriate, help keep you comfortable. The team remains available to answer questions and adjust recommendations if needed.
Activity Restrictions After Surgery
Patients need to avoid heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, and movements that pull on the chest until cleared by the surgeon. These limits help prevent complications like wound separation and protect the lift and nipple position. You receive specific timelines based on your procedure and progress.
Important Considerations For Breast Lift Surgery
Common Misconceptions
Many people assume a breast lift will significantly increase breast size or completely stop future sagging. A lift mainly reshapes existing tissue and raises the breast and nipple. Aging, gravity, and future weight changes still affect the breasts over time, although they usually start from a more youthful position after surgery.
Why Board Certification Matters
Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon is important for a thorough evaluation and a realistic surgical plan. Dr. Akash uses his training and experience to assess skin quality, breast tissue, and your goals before recommending a technique. Mirror Plastic Surgery emphasizes clear communication, careful planning, and structured follow-up to support safe, predictable results.
Breast Lift Cost Overview
Breast lift pricing varies based on your anatomy, the complexity of the lift, whether implants or fat transfer are included, and facility and anesthesia fees. An in-person consultation allows for an accurate quote and a discussion of payment or financing options. Book your consultation with Dr. Akash to receive transparent pricing tailored to your surgical plan.
Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation At Mirror Plastic Surgery
You can explore whether a breast lift is right for you by meeting with Dr. Akash for a personalized consultation. This visit covers your goals, measurements, exam findings, and recommended techniques so you understand your choices and expected recovery.
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery to schedule your breast lift consultation:
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Can a breast lift also increase breast size?
A breast lift lifts and reshapes existing tissue but does not add volume. Patients who want fuller breasts in addition to a lift can combine the procedure with implants or fat transfer. This approach often allows the use of smaller implants while addressing both sagging and volume loss.
How long do the results of a breast lift last?
Breast lift results can last for many years. Aging, gravity, pregnancies, and weight changes still affect breast shape over time, but patients usually notice a lasting improvement in breast position and contour. Maintaining a stable weight and following post-operative instructions can help preserve results.
What kind of scarring can I expect from a breast lift?
Scars depend on the incision pattern used. Options include incisions around the areola, around the areola with a vertical line to the breast crease, or an anchor pattern. Dr. Akash plans incisions to reduce visibility where possible, and scars usually fade and soften over 12 to 18 months.
Is a breast lift the same as a breast reduction?
No. A breast lift reshapes and raises the breast and nipple without necessarily changing breast size. A breast reduction removes skin, fat, and glandular tissue to reduce weight and volume, and often includes a lifting effect as part of the procedure. The right option depends on whether your main concern is size, sagging, or both.
Will a breast lift affect my ability to breastfeed in the future?
Many women are able to breastfeed after a breast lift, although any breast surgery carries some risk of affecting this ability. Modern techniques aim to preserve milk ducts and nipple sensation. If you plan future pregnancies and hope to breastfeed, discuss this with Dr. Akash during your consultation so he can recommend the most appropriate technique.
Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.