UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
650 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 200, 2nd Floor
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Phone: (434) 924-5078
Monday–Friday | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
A breast lift improves breast shape and position when the skin and supporting tissues have stretched over time. The procedure can elevate a low nipple position, reduce an enlarged areola, and create a firmer breast contour. A breast lift does not significantly increase breast volume. Patients who also want greater fullness may benefit from breast implants or fat grafting, while those who want a smaller breast size may consider a breast reduction.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Auto-augmentation | A technique that reshapes and repositions a patient’s own breast tissue to improve fullness without an implant. |
| Breast ptosis | Drooping or sagging of the breast and nipple. |
| Nipple-areola complex | The nipple and surrounding pigmented skin. |
| Inframammary incision | An incision placed within the crease beneath the breast. |
| Periareolar incision | An incision placed around the edge of the areola. |
| Vertical incision | An incision extending from the areola to the breast crease. |
Women choose breast lift surgery to address one or more of the following concerns:
A breast lift may be appropriate for patients who:
Your consultation includes an assessment of breast size, skin quality, nipple position, asymmetry, chest-wall anatomy, and desired volume. These factors help determine whether a lift alone or a lift combined with augmentation or reduction is most appropriate.
At UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, our highly regarded surgeons offer expertise and personalized care for a rewarding patient experience.
Our surgeons perform mastopexy using the incision best suited to the patient’s amount of skin excess, breast size, nipple position, and desired result.
Your surgeon will recommend the shortest scar pattern that safely provides the necessary lift and shape. All breast lift scars are permanent, but they generally soften and fade over time.
A breast lift is performed under general anesthesia, usually as an outpatient procedure. Excess skin is removed, breast tissue is reshaped, and the nipple and areola are moved to a more youthful position while remaining attached to their underlying blood supply. The incisions are then closed in layers.
A breast lift with auto-augmentation can improve breast shape and upper-pole fullness using the patient’s own breast tissue. It does not add new volume and may not provide as much upper-pole fullness as an implant.
Depending on your goals, a breast lift may be combined with:
Many women combine breast lift surgery with liposuction and a tummy tuck as part of a comprehensive postpartum body-contouring plan called a mommy makeover.
After breast lift surgery, most patients are ready to resume nonstrenuous jobs and activity in about a week. While we recommend gentle walks throughout the day soon after surgery, more strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and upper-body activity are typically restricted for several weeks and resumed gradually with your surgeon’s guidance.
Week 1
Weeks 2-6
Long Term
Potential risks include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, widened or raised scars, asymmetry, contour irregularity, changes in nipple or breast sensation, loss of nipple or skin tissue, fat necrosis, fluid collections, difficulty breastfeeding, recurrent sagging, and the need for revision surgery. Perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed, and small differences between the breasts commonly remain after surgery.
A breast lift does not eliminate the need for routine breast health screening. Patients should continue age- and risk-appropriate mammography and tell the imaging center about prior breast surgery. Many patients can breastfeed after a breast lift, but no operation can guarantee future breastfeeding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding may stretch the tissues again and change the surgical result.
A breast lift doesn’t always require an implant to improve upper-breast fullness. Dr. Sergesketter offers an auto-augmentation technique that repositions your existing breast tissue, helping create fullness in the upper breast while reshaping and lifting the breast. In selected cases, she may also use surgical mesh for additional support.
A lift removes excess skin and reshapes the breasts, so they may look slightly smaller or fit differently in a bra even when little breast tissue is removed. Patients who want a meaningful reduction in volume may benefit from a breast reduction.
A lift can improve shape and reposition existing tissue, but it may not create the upper-breast fullness that an implant provides. Fat grafting or an implant may be considered when additional volume is desired.
Temporary changes in nipple or breast sensation are common. Permanent decreased or increased sensation can occur, although most patients retain useful sensation.
It is often reasonable to delay surgery until childbearing is complete because pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch the breasts again. However, timing is personal and can be discussed during consultation.
Many patients are able to breastfeed, but the ability to do so cannot be guaranteed.
Yes, selected patients may have a lift and implants placed during the same operation. In some cases, separating the procedures may provide greater control or reduce risk. Your surgeon will discuss the safest approach for your anatomy and goals.
To learn more about breast lift surgery at UVA Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Charlottesville, request a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons using the online form or call (434) 924-5078 to schedule an appointment.
