If you are in generally good health and your breasts are sagging and elongated with nipples that point downward, you may indeed be an excellent candidate for a breast lift; however, it is best to discuss your options with Dr. Austin to determine if this is the best procedure for you.

If you want to add volume and fullness to your breasts, while also reducing sagging, you may choose to combine your breast lift with breast implants to achieve a fuller, firmer profile. Dr. Austin will help you select the most suitable implants to complement your breast lift surgery.

Breast lift surgery does not interfere with breastfeeding, and it is safe to breastfeed after you’ve had the procedure; however, we recommend you postpone your breast lift procedure if you are planning to become pregnant in the future, as the natural processes of pregnancy and lactation may affect the results of your breast lift.

Dr. Austin performs breast lift procedures that are highly customized for each patient. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and may require two to three incisions following the breasts’ natural contour around and underneath the areola. The breast tissue is lifted, moving the nipple and areola to a higher position, and excess skin is trimmed away, resulting in breasts that are shapelier and perkier, and sit higher on the chest.

Immediately following surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and provide basic home care for a few days while you rest and recover. You may have swelling and soreness in the chest area, and your chest will be wrapped in absorbent dressings and compressive bandages. The dressings are removed after three days, and you may shower at this time. We recommend one week of rest and a gradual return to your normal activities over a period of about four weeks, and you will need to wear a compressive bra during that period. Sensitivity in the nipple and areola may be lost or increased during this period. After your recovery period, all bruising, swelling, and discomfort subside naturally, and normal sensation in the nipple and areola return gradually. It may take your breasts a few months to settle into their new shape; after several months, scars begin to fade and disappear.

As a secondary effect of the breast lift procedure, it’s common for the breasts to decrease in size slightly. The extent of this size reduction will vary depending on the patient and the treatment techniques involved, but on average, patients experience a decrease in breast size by about one bra cup size or less, the lift can be combined with other procedures like fat transfer or implants if volume is desired.

With the breast lift procedure, there is always a risk that the sensitivity of the nipples can be affected. In our experience, only a very small percentage of breast lift patients notice any permanent negative changes in their nipple sensitivity. If this is a concern of yours, we will be happy to discuss the risks in greater detail during your consultation.

The breast lift procedure itself is not painful at all thanks to advanced surgical and anesthetic techniques. However, the pain from a breast lift comes following the surgery, primarily in the first week or two after treatment. This pain can be remedied with pain medication and a variety of recovery techniques, which we will inform you of in detail prior to your procedure. While the recovery from a breast lift is a serious and demanding process, it is not as painful as many patients fear it to be.