Breast Lift

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift improves the appearance of sagging breasts. The goal of a breast lift is to reshape and elevate the breasts to a more youthful location. This is a popular option for:

• Breast cancer survivors who want to enhance their breast reconstruction results
• Mothers whose bodies have changed because of pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Women who are dealing with the effects of age, hereditary and weight fluctuations 

A breast lift won’t increase the size and shape of your breasts. Getting a breast implant might be a better option if that’s your goal. 

Restore your self-confidence

Now is your chance to transform your figure by getting a breast lift. You can trust that Cape Fear Valley Health plastic surgeons will listen to your concerns and answer your questions. We’ll evaluate your health needs, cosmetic goals and skin to determine if a breast lift is right for you.

Our Approach to a Breast Lift

At Cape Fear Valley Health, our plastic surgeons stay up-to-date on the latest medical advances and innovations. Enjoy first-class care in the comfort of being close to home.

Understanding Your Goals

Our compassionate, warm and friendly staff will treat you like a friend, not a number. Your Cape Fear Valley Health plastic surgeon will discuss your treatment goals and carefully evaluate your specific areas of concern, and prioritize answering your questions to keep you well-informed throughout the process. 

We Stay Connected

After your breast lift, we’ll make sure you understand how to take care of yourself. Recovering from surgery takes time, but we’ll be checking in with you to make sure you’re healing properly.

Your Breast Lift Team

You’ll have a team of experts alongside you from the moment you call our office. They include:

• Plastic surgeons
• Licensed practical nurses
• Medical staff

What to Expect With a Breast Lift

Getting a breast lift takes between one and two hours. You won’t feel any pain because you’ll be under general anesthesia. You’ll be able to go home after the procedure is over.

Your plastic surgeon will make three incisions:

• Around the areola
• Under the nipple to the bottom of the breast
• The base of the breast 

These are the areas where your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin. Then, your plastic surgeon will raise the nipple and areola to be in a more youthful position.

Breast Lift Consultation

Your Cape Fear Valley Health plastic surgeon will discuss your treatment goals and carefully evaluate your breasts. Next, they’ll make a breast lift recommendation based on your desired results and develop your personalized treatment plan.

Are You a Candidate For a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is for women who are motivated to enhance their appearance. It’s especially helpful for women who have severely stretched or sagging breasts.

Procedures work best on patients who:

• Are in good overall health.
• Don’t drink alcohol for two weeks before surgery. (Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, which increases the risk of excess bleeding during surgery.)
• Maintain a stable weight at least six months to a year before surgery.
• Quit using nicotine products three to six weeks before surgery and three to six weeks after. (Nicotine increases your risk of surgical complications, like blood clots.)

Please note: Pregnant women aren’t eligible for a breast lift. And if you’ve given birth recently, you need to wait at least six months until you’re done breastfeeding. 

Breast Lift Recovery and Results

After undergoing a breast lift procedure, expect to notice a significant improvement in the appearance of your breasts, with a rejuvenated contour and firmer profile. Some sutures (sterile surgical stitches) will need to be removed within one to two weeks after surgery. After getting a breast lift, you will need to take one to two weeks off from work. During this time, you should:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Wear a surgical bra for three weeks to promote healing and recovery.
• Avoid strenuous activities for about six to eight weeks.

Keep in mind that it’s normal to experience swelling, bruising and discomfort after surgery. It takes about one to two weeks for the swelling and bruising to subside. Most patients are pleased with their breast lift results immediately.

Breast Lift Risks

Like all surgeries, a breast lift involves a certain degree of risk. However, when it’s performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, serious complications are rare. Minimize other complications by following the instructions and advice of your plastic surgeon.

Some risks and complications could include:

• Complications with your heart or lungs
• Damage to nerves, blood vessels, muscles or organs
• Infection
• Loss of nipple or areola
• Pain, swelling or numbness
• Skin discoloration, skin rippling or irregularities
• Uneven contours or asymmetry

Your plastic surgeon will discuss any specific risks or considerations relevant to your individual case during the consultation process, ensuring you're fully informed and prepared for your breast lift procedure. Remember, your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities, and we're here to support you every step of the way.