Breast Lift: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Breast Lift?
A plastic surgeon, a surgeon who specializes in reshaping the body, usually performs a breast lift, which is also called mastopexy. It is cosmetic surgery, so you choose it and do not need it for medical reasons. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
A breast lift is cosmetic breast surgery to lift the breasts. It raises the breasts by removing extra skin and tightening the tissue around them. The surgery may also change the position of the areola and nipple. A breast lift does not significantly change the size of your breasts.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Women usually have breast lifts to lift sagging, loose breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and normal aging may cause stretched skin and smaller breasts. Weight changes, gravity, and heredity can also change breast shape and firmness. You should probably wait if you plan to lose weight, are pregnant or nursing, or plan to have more children.
How to prepare
Common preparation steps include the following.
- Ask your surgeon if you need a screening mammogram, based on your age and risk of breast cancer.
- Tell your surgeon if you are or could be pregnant, and about any medicines or supplements you take.
- You may be asked to stop taking blood thinners, medicines that keep your blood from clotting. Ask your surgeon which medicines to still take on the day of surgery, and follow your surgeon's instructions.
- If you smoke, cut back or quit. Your surgery may be delayed if you do not quit.
- Follow your surgeon's instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
What happens during it
You will likely get general anesthesia, which keeps you asleep and pain-free. Or you may get medicine to help you relax and local anesthesia to numb the area around the breasts. The surgeon makes 1 to 3 cuts in the breast. The cuts may be around the nipple and areola, down the front of the breast, and under the breast. Extra skin, and sometimes some breast tissue, is removed, and the nipple and areola may be moved.
Recovery
You will probably go home the day of surgery. You wear a surgical bra or a soft supportive bra for as long as your surgeon says, likely several weeks. Drainage tubes may be attached to your breasts and are removed in the surgeon's office within a few days. At a follow-up visit, your surgeon checks how you are healing and removes stitches if needed. Your instructions may list concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health. Scars are permanent and are often very visible for up to a year after surgery.
Risks and side effects
Risks of anesthesia and surgery include reactions to medicines, breathing problems, bleeding, blood clots, and infection. Breast surgery can also cause large scars that take a long time to heal and loss of feeling around the nipples. You may not be able to nurse a baby after surgery. One breast may end up larger or shaped a little differently than the other, or the nipples may sit unevenly. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more, or fainting.
Who performs it
A plastic surgeon performs a breast lift. Talk with a plastic surgeon if you are considering cosmetic breast surgery.
Common questions
Does a breast lift change breast size?
No, a breast lift does not significantly change the size of your breasts. For fuller breasts, you can consider a breast lift with breast augmentation. For smaller breasts, you can consider a lift with breast reduction.
Should I wait on a breast lift if I want more children?
Yes, you should probably wait if you plan to have more children.
Will a breast lift leave scars?
Yes, scars are permanent and are often very visible for up to a year after surgery.
Will my breasts sag again after a breast lift?
They can, because normal aging, pregnancy, and changes in your weight may all cause your breasts to sag again.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or another medical condition, your surgeon may ask you to see the provider who treats it before surgery.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Breast lift
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Breast Lift
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Breast Lift Recovery
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
