A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to reshape and elevate the breasts for a more balanced appearance. Women who have undergone breast reconstruction, mastectomy, or other breast-related surgeries may consider a breast lift to address changes in breast shape, firmness, or position.
At The Breast Center in Lone Tree, Colorado, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Christopher G. Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams offer breast lift procedures to help women feel more comfortable in their bodies. With their advanced training and experience, they provide expert care to patients in Denver, Lone Tree, and beyond, including those seeking world-class breast surgery nationwide.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift involves removing excess skin, reshaping the breast tissue, and repositioning the nipples to restore symmetry and produce a more natural shape. Unlike implants, a breast lift doesn’t add size but improves the position and contour of the breasts.
For women who’ve undergone breast reconstruction or experienced tissue changes after cancer treatment, a breast lift can be customized to complement previous procedures. In some cases, a breast lift can also be combined with breast augmentation or other reconstructive techniques to get the right proportions. Sometimes, it's only needed on one side to help with symmetry.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
A breast lift offers plenty of aesthetic improvements and also helps you feel more comfortable physically. Some of the specific benefits include:
- A lifted breast shape
- Balanced breasts
- Better fitting clothing
- Higher nipple position
- More confidence in your appearance
Who Is a Good Candidate?
A breast lift can be a great option for women who have undergone breast reconstruction and are looking to refine or improve the appearance of their breasts. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have sagging or uneven breasts after reconstruction.
- Want to enhance breast shape or symmetry following previous surgeries.
- Have nipples that point downward or are not aligned.
It’s also important to be in good overall health and to have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do.
What to Expect During the Procedure
A breast lift is typically performed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will carefully remove excess skin, adjust the breast tissue, and reposition the nipples to a more natural, symmetrical position. If the procedure follows a reconstruction surgery, the surgeon will tailor the lift to complement previous results.
Both of our surgeons prioritize patient safety and use precise techniques to minimize scarring and give you the best possible results.
Recovery and Results
Recovery after a breast lift depends on the extent of surgery and whether the procedure is performed alone or as part of breast reconstruction or revision surgery. Some swelling, soreness, and temporary changes in sensation are expected as your breasts heal.
During recovery, we may recommend:
- Wearing a surgical or support bra
- Caring for your incisions as directed
- Limiting strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
- Attending follow-up visits to monitor healing
Your recovery timeline may be longer when a breast lift is combined with fat grafting, implant revision, or another reconstructive procedure.
Changes in breast shape and position are often noticeable early, although swelling can take time to resolve and the breasts will continue to settle over the following months. Scars are permanent but typically fade with time.
Why Choose The Breast Center?
At The Breast Center, you’ll be cared for by two board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Christopher G. Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams. They have trained at some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country.
Both surgeons completed advanced residency programs at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, ranked as America’s #1 hospital for over 20 years. Their expertise extends beyond cosmetic procedures, with special training in reconstructive techniques like the DIEP flap.
Dr. Christopher Williams has extensive research experience in tissue engineering, and Dr. Jeremy Williams consistently uses innovative methods to improve surgical outcomes. Together, they provide exceptional care for each and every patient they work with.
FAQ
Many women enjoy their results for 10 to 15 years or longer. However, factors like aging, gravity, weight changes, and pregnancy can gradually affect your breasts over time. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing proper support can help preserve your results.
The timing for a breast lift after reconstruction depends on your healing progress and the type of reconstruction you had. In some cases, a breast lift can be performed at the same time as the initial reconstruction. If you’ve already had your first surgery, you’ll likely need to wait at least six to 12 months to allow swelling to subside and scar tissue to mature. This ensures that the breast tissues are stable enough for the lift.
Yes, fat grafting can be used alongside a breast lift to refine contour and add volume to specific areas.
A breast lift corrects sagging, while implants add volume. If you want a perkier shape without increasing size, a lift may be ideal, while implants are better for adding fullness or restoring lost volume.
While some scarring is inevitable, the surgeon uses techniques to minimize scars, which typically fade over time. Scar placement is often in discreet areas, such as under the breast or around the areola, making them less noticeable.
All surgeries carry some risks, such as infection or changes in nipple sensation. Other potential risks include delayed healing or asymmetry, which are rare and can often be addressed if they occur. By working with an experienced surgeon and following proper aftercare, you can help mitigate these risks.
Yes. A breast lift can be used as a symmetrizing procedure after breast reconstruction, particularly when one breast has been reconstructed, and the natural breast sits lower or has a different shape. A lift can help the breasts look more similar in position and contour.
Perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed, but the goal is to create a closer match between the reconstructed and natural breast.
A breast lift performed to improve symmetry after mastectomy and breast reconstruction may be covered by insurance.
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act, many health plans that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction and surgery on the other breast to create a more symmetrical appearance.
Your specific coverage, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs depend on your insurance plan, so our team can help you review your benefits before surgery.
A breast lift may be one option for improving changes that appear over time after breast reconstruction. Aging, weight changes, changes in natural breast tissue, and the way reconstructed tissues settle can affect breast shape and symmetry.
Depending on your reconstruction and the changes you’re experiencing, we may recommend a breast lift alone or another breast shaping procedure, such as fat grafting, implant revision, or breast reduction.
Yes, a breast lift can sometimes be performed along with an implant exchange or fat grafting as part of breast reconstruction revision. Combining procedures may allow your surgeon to improve several concerns during the same surgical plan, such as breast position, volume differences, implant-related changes, or contour irregularities.
The procedures that make sense for you will depend on your original reconstruction, current breast tissue, and the specific changes you’d like to discuss with your surgeon.
Connect With Expert Breast Surgeons in Lone Tree, Colorado
To learn more about breast lift surgery and how Dr. Christopher G. Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams can help, call The Breast Center in Lone Tree, CO, at 303-706-1100 to schedule your consultation today.