Breast Lift Surgery
Restore a youthful, uplifted breast contour with expert breast lift surgery by Dr. James Rosing. Customized techniques for natural, beautiful results.
Breast Lift Surgery
Restore a youthful, uplifted breast contour with expert breast lift surgery by Dr. James Rosing. Customized techniques address sagging, reshaping, and repositioning for a naturally beautiful, perky silhouette.
2-3 hrs
Procedure Time
1-2 weeks
Initial Recovery
10-15 yrs
Results Last
General
Anesthesia
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a more youthful height, and the breast is reshaped to create a firmer, perkier contour.
Dr. James Rosing tailors each breast lift to the individual patient, selecting the technique that provides the optimal combination of lift, reshaping, and minimal scarring for your degree of ptosis (sagging). For patients who also want increased volume, a breast lift can be combined with augmentation to achieve both lift and fullness in a single procedure.
Breast Lift Techniques
The right technique depends on your degree of ptosis, breast size, and aesthetic goals.
Periareolar (Donut) Lift
For mild ptosis. An incision around the areola removes a donut-shaped ring of skin for subtle lifting with minimal scarring.
- Least visible scarring
- Ideal for mild sagging
- Can reduce areola diameter
- Often combined with implants
Vertical (Lollipop) Lift
For moderate ptosis. An incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease allows significant reshaping and lifting.
- Effective for moderate sagging
- More reshaping than periareolar
- Less scarring than anchor lift
- Dr. Rosing's most-used technique
Inverted-T (Anchor) Lift
For severe ptosis. Three incisions—around the areola, vertically down, and along the breast crease—allow maximum reshaping and skin removal.
- Maximum lift and reshaping
- Best for significant sagging
- Removes the most excess skin
- Scars hidden beneath bra line
Are You a Candidate?
A breast lift may be right for you if you experience any of the following:
Recovery Timeline
Understanding what to expect during your breast lift recovery helps ensure optimal healing and beautiful results.
Initial Recovery
Rest with upper body elevated. Mild to moderate discomfort managed with prescribed medication. Surgical bra or compression garment worn at all times. Bruising and swelling are normal. Light walking encouraged.
First Follow-up
Post-operative visit with Dr. Rosing to check healing. Dressings may be adjusted. Swelling peaks around day 3-4 then gradually subsides. Most patients feel noticeably better by day 7.
Suture Removal
External sutures removed if applicable. Bruising fading significantly. Many patients return to desk work. Breast shape already showing improvement, though swelling masks the final result. Continue wearing the surgical bra.
Increasing Activity
Most daily activities and light exercise resume. Breasts continue settling into their lifted position. Incisions healing and beginning to fade. Avoid heavy lifting and high-impact exercise.
Full Activity Resumes
All exercise including upper body and high-impact activities gradually resumes. Swelling nearly resolved. Scar management with silicone sheets or gel begins. Nipple sensation returning to normal.
Final Results
Breasts have settled into their final, lifted position. Scars continue to mature and fade. Tissue fully softened and natural. Enjoy your rejuvenated, youthful breast contour.
Dr. James Rosing, MD, FACS
Dr. James Rosing is a Stanford-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon with deep expertise in breast surgery. His breast lift technique focuses on achieving a natural, youthful shape with the least possible scarring, selecting the optimal incision pattern for each patient's anatomy and degree of ptosis.
Patients appreciate Dr. Rosing's honest, detailed consultations where he explains the differences between lift techniques, discusses whether augmentation should be combined, and sets realistic expectations for results and scarring. His goal is a result that looks naturally beautiful and stands the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a breast lift with augmentation (augmentation mastopexy) is one of the most requested combination procedures. The lift repositions the breast tissue and nipple to a more youthful position while the implant restores volume lost due to pregnancy, aging, or weight loss. Dr. Rosing frequently performs this combination to achieve both lift and fullness in a single procedure, though in some cases he may recommend staging the procedures for the best outcome.
Scarring depends on the lift technique used. A periareolar lift leaves a scar only around the areola. A vertical (lollipop) lift adds a scar running vertically from the areola to the breast crease. An inverted-T (anchor) lift adds a horizontal scar along the breast crease. Dr. Rosing uses the least invasive technique that will achieve your goals and employs meticulous closure and scar management protocols. Scars fade significantly over 12-18 months.
In most cases, breastfeeding is still possible after a breast lift because the milk ducts and nipple are typically preserved during surgery. However, some techniques carry a slightly higher risk of affecting breastfeeding ability, particularly if the nipple must be fully detached and repositioned (usually only necessary in cases of severe ptosis). Dr. Rosing will discuss this with you if future breastfeeding is a concern.
Some temporary change in nipple sensation is common after a breast lift, including increased sensitivity or numbness. In the vast majority of patients, normal sensation returns within a few weeks to months as the nerves heal. The risk of permanent sensation change is small and depends on the extent of the lift. Dr. Rosing uses techniques that prioritize nerve preservation.
Breast lift results typically last 10-15 years, though gravity, aging, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy will continue to affect breast shape over time. Maintaining a stable weight, wearing a supportive bra, and following a healthy lifestyle help extend your results. The improvement is permanent in the sense that your breasts will always be higher than they would have been without the surgery.
A breast lift is ideal when the primary concern is sagging, nipple position, and skin laxity—you are happy with your breast volume but want a perkier, more youthful shape. Augmentation is better when the primary concern is volume and size. Many patients benefit from both. During your consultation, Dr. Rosing will evaluate your breast tissue, skin quality, nipple position, and goals to recommend the optimal approach.
A surgical support bra or compression bra is worn continuously for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery to support healing and minimize swelling. After that, a well-fitting supportive bra (without underwire) is recommended for another 4-6 weeks. Dr. Rosing will advise when you can transition to regular bras. Proper support during healing is important for maintaining your results.
Financing Available
From $134/month
Breast Lift $8,000–$14,000 with 0% APR options available
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Ready for a More Youthful Contour?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosing to discuss your breast lift goals and learn which technique will achieve your ideal result.