Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy): Procedure, Techniques, Recovery & Cost
Breast lifting surgery, or mastopexy, raises sagging breasts by removing extra skin, reshaping the tissue underneath and moving the nipple higher. It doesn’t change size much, so it’s often combined with implants or fat for volume. Incisions range from around the areola to an anchor shape, and the scars are permanent but fade.
| Quick facts | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | IV sedation or general anesthesia (ASPS) |
| US surgeon fee | $6,500 to $11,000 (ASPS 2024) |
| Support bra | Usually 4 to 6 weeks (StatPearls) |
| Intense exercise | From about 4 to 6 weeks (StatPearls) |
| Final shape | Settles over a few months (ASPS) |
| Scars | Permanent, fade over time (ASPS) |
| Major complications | About 1.15% for mastopexy alone (StatPearls) |
| Most common age group (US, 2024) | 40 to 54, 43% of breast lifts (ASPS) |
What is a breast lift?
Breast lifting surgery raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped, by tightening skin and support and moving the nipple and areola up.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US), pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, aging, gravity and heredity can all loosen breast skin. In a 2018 study of 141 women in Archives of Breast Cancer, sagging was linked with age and higher BMI but not with the number of pregnancies or breastfeeding history.
A breast lift procedure removes extra skin, lifts and reshapes the breast tissue, moves the nipple higher and can make a stretched areola smaller. It doesn’t significantly change size or fill the upper breast. For that, a lift is combined with implants, fat or, for smaller breasts, a reduction.
How to get a breast lift: are you a candidate?
ASPS describes good candidates as healthy non-smokers with a stable weight whose breasts have become flatter or longer, whose nipples sit below the breast fold when unsupported or point downward, or whose breasts sit at different heights. It’s usually done after you’ve finished having children, since pregnancy can reverse the result.
Techniques (donut, lollipop, anchor)
The breast lift technique depends on how far the nipple has dropped: a donut for mild sag, a lollipop for moderate and an anchor for severe.
Surgeons grade sagging (ptosis) by where the nipple sits compared with the breast fold. StatPearls describes the Regnault scale: grade 1 at the fold, grade 2 below the fold, grade 3 below the fold and at the lowest point of the breast.
| Technique | Incision | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Periareolar (“donut”) | Around the areola | Mild to moderate sag; moves the nipple up to about 2 cm |
| Vertical (“lollipop”) | Around the areola and down to the fold | Any degree of sag; can modestly reduce size |
| Inverted-T (“anchor”) | Around the areola, down, and along the fold | Severe sag or poor skin quality; largest scar |
The table follows StatPearls. ASPS notes that while many patients want the smallest scar possible, the surgeon chooses the incision that suits their anatomy.
With or without implants
A lift alone reshapes but doesn’t add fullness; implants or fat can be added in the same operation if you want more volume.
StatPearls reports a meta-analysis of 4,856 one-stage lift-and-implant operations with a reoperation rate of 10.7%, close to 10.2% for a lift alone. A staged approach is often preferred for severe sagging or a large implant. See our guides to a breast lift with augmentation, breast lift with fat transfer and breast lift vs augmentation to work out which fits your goals. Results without implants are covered in our mastopexy before and after guide.
Recovery
Breast lift up surgery recovery means a support bra for four to six weeks and a return to intense exercise around the same time.
ASPS says you’ll have dressings, an elastic bandage or support bra and sometimes a small drain. StatPearls adds that drains are rarely needed, a supportive bra is worn for four to six weeks, and intense activity resumes at four to six weeks. ASPS notes the final shape settles over a few months. The full timeline is in our breast lift recovery guide.
Scars
Every surgical lift leaves scars, which are permanent but usually fade; their length depends on the technique.
StatPearls notes scar treatment can begin after about three weeks, and that scars are a frequent source of dissatisfaction, so discuss them openly. In a 2002 survey of 487 surgeons cited by StatPearls, revision rates were highest for periareolar lifts (50%) and lowest for anchor lifts (21%). Our breast lift scars guide covers healing stages and cover-up options.
In my practice, I mark the planned incisions on the skin at consultation so patients can see exactly where scars will sit before deciding.
Non-surgical options
Exercise, creams, tape and devices can’t lift breast tissue the way surgery does; some firm the chest muscle or hold breasts up temporarily.
Chest exercises strengthen the muscle under the breast but don’t tighten breast skin. Tapes and pads give a temporary lift under clothing. Minimally invasive devices and threads have only small studies behind them. Read more in our guides to a breast lift without surgery, breast lift exercises and breast lift tape and pads.
Risks
Risks include bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, asymmetry, poor healing and, rarely, loss of the nipple and areola.
ASPS lists anesthesia risks, bleeding, asymmetry, shape irregularities, temporary or permanent sensation changes, blood clots, fat necrosis, fluid build-up, infection, poor healing, revision and partial or total nipple loss. StatPearls reports hematoma in about 1% and infection in about 0.25% across breast procedures, with higher risk at a BMI over 30 or age over 60.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on how long a lift lasts, breastfeeding, pregnancy after surgery, cost and whether a lift makes breasts smaller.
How long does a breast lift last?
Results are long-lasting, but breasts keep aging and responding to gravity. ASPS says keeping a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps maintain the look. Pregnancy or large weight loss afterwards can reduce the effect.
Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?
Many people can, since most lifts keep the nipple attached to the tissue beneath. An ASPS surgeon blog notes most patients keep nipple sensation and the ability to breastfeed. Tell your surgeon if you plan to breastfeed, as it can affect technique.
Should I wait until after having children?
Usually, yes. ASPS advises considering breast surgery after childbearing because pregnancy-related breast changes can reduce or reverse the lift. StatPearls also advises postponing surgery during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How much does a breast lift cost?
ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon-fee range of $6,500 to $11,000. Anesthesia, facility, tests, garments and medicines are extra. Adding implants or fat increases the total. Ask for an itemised quote.
Will a breast lift make my breasts smaller?
Slightly, in some cases. Removing skin and reshaping can make breasts look a little smaller and firmer, and a vertical lift can modestly reduce size. If you want a clear size change, a lift can be combined with a reduction or implants.
Guides in this series
Each guide below covers one breast lift question in depth, from implants and fat transfer to scars, recovery and non-surgical options.
- Lift with augmentation: cost and recovery
- Lift vs augmentation: which do you need?
- Mastopexy before and after without implants
- Recovery week by week
- Lift with fat transfer (auto-augmentation)
- Scars: anchor vs lollipop
- Lifting without surgery: what works
- Chest exercises and their limits
- Tape, pads and stickers
If you’d like a surgeon to assess your sagging grade and talk through options, you can book a breast lift consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Breast lift (overview, procedure, recovery, results, candidates, safety). American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. StatPearls [Internet]. NCBI Bookshelf NBK567792. Updated 2023. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Ages 40-54. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Arefanian S, et al. A Study on Predisposing Factors to Breast Ptosis. Arch Breast Cancer. 2018;5(2):63-67. archbreastcancer.com
- Wu C. Breast lift with fat grafting can be beneficial for mothers after breastfeeding. ASPS blog. 2019. plasticsurgery.org
