- What is a breast lift and who is a good candidate?
- Do you need an implant with a lift?
- What is an anchor scar?
- Can an implant eliminate the need for lift scars?
- Are there nonsurgical alternatives to a breast lift?
- What about revision lifts?
- “I Only Wish I’d Done It Sooner”
- Breast Lift Before-and-After Gallery
Thinking about a breast lift? Whether it’s to restore shape after pregnancy, aging or weight loss, this procedure focuses on repositioning, not adding, volume. Unlike breast augmentation, a lift reshapes your existing tissue for a more youthful, balanced look. Here’s what goes into a breast lift surgery, plus real patient results that show what’s possible.
What is a breast lift and who is a good candidate?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, repositions sagging breast tissue and elevates the nipple to a more youthful position. It’s ideal for patients whose nipples point downward, or whose breasts have lost shape and volume due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. The goal is to restore a more youthful contour and improve breast position, especially if the nipples have descended, says New York plastic surgeon B. Aviva Preminger, MD. “We’re not adding volume, we’re reshaping and lifting what’s already there,” she says.
Do you need an implant with a lift?
It depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If your goal is upper pole fullness—that rounder, perkier look at the top of the breast, implants may be necessary. “Some patients, especially those who’ve lost a significant amount of volume after weight loss or pregnancy, won’t feel full even with a lift,” explains New York plastic surgeon Eli Levine, MD. “In those cases, an implant helps restore the shape they remember from before.”
“If someone needs just a modest volume boost, fat transfer is a great option,” Dr. Levine adds. “It’s a good fit for patients who want a subtle enhancement without the commitment of an implant.”
What is an anchor scar?
For patients considering a breast lift, one of the most common concerns is the scarring—particularly when the procedure requires an anchor-shaped, or inverted-T, incision. This technique involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and one along the natural fold under the breast. While it may sound extensive, this approach allows for the most control over reshaping the breast, removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple.
“If your nipple position is droopy, an implant alone is not going to fix that,” says New York plastic surgeon Dr. Levine. “In those cases, a lift, sometimes with a lollipop or anchor scar, is necessary to achieve the right result.”
Though the scar may be more visible initially than other techniques, it’s often the best choice for patients with moderate to severe sagging or skin laxity. “Even when performed perfectly, a lift doesn’t change the fundamental makeup of the tissue,” explains Dr. Preminger. “If a patient loses a significant amount of fat afterward, the skin may loosen again.” In these cases, having full access to reshape and secure the breast through an anchor incision can help ensure longer-lasting results.
Can an implant eliminate the need for lift scars?
Some patients hope implants alone will give them the result they want—and skip the incisions altogether. But if the nipple is low or the skin is significantly loose, an implant won’t be enough.
“If we put in a moderately sized implant… some patients can get away with just the tiny little scar,” Dr. Levine says. “However, if your nipple position is droopy, an implant is not going to fix that.”
Are there nonsurgical alternatives to a breast lift?
If you’re dealing with mild laxity or aren’t ready for surgery, nonsurgical treatments can offer small improvements, but they won’t replace a true lift. “Radio-frequency treatments like Forma or microneedling with RF can help improve tone,” says Dr. Preminger. “They’re best for patients with good skin quality and minor sagging.”
What about revision lifts?
If your initial lift hasn’t held up over time, or you lost more volume than expected, you’re not alone. Many patients return for revision procedures, often years later. “The first step is a thoughtful, compassionate consultation,” says Dr. Preminger. “We listen to the patient’s concerns, evaluate their anatomy, and walk through the options together. Sometimes it’s a skin-only lift. Sometimes we explore energy-based treatments.”
“There is no rush to revisional aesthetic surgery,” adds Vero Beach, FL plastic surgeon Alan Durkin, MD. “Revision isn’t a failure, but the concept must be accepted in good terms by both patient and surgeon.”
“I Only Wish I’d Done It Sooner”
It’s one of the most common things patients say after a breast lift—and for good reason. The confidence they gain isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. Clothes fit better. Posture improves. And the quiet self-consciousness that often builds with aging, nursing or weight fluctuations finally starts to fade. “Patients will often tell me, ‘I didn’t realize how much it was bothering me until it was gone,’” says Dr. Preminger. “The physical changes are significant, but it’s the boost in confidence that surprises them most.”
For those who’ve waited, worried or wondered, know that you’re not alone. And if you’re thinking about it now, it might just be the right time.
Breast Lift Before-and-After Gallery
