Breast uplift (mastopexy)

What is breast uplift surgery?

A breast uplift (mastopexy) changes the shape of your breasts, rather than their size. It can be done in several ways, but it usually involves removing extra skin from underneath your breasts.

Types of mastopexy

Your surgeon will recommend the most suitable type of mastopexy for you, based on your desired outcome, as well as:

• the degree of ptosis (breast sagging)
• the amount of excess skin
• your breast size and shape
• your areola size and position.

Here are the four main types of mastopexy procedures, based on the incision location.

1. Crescent lift (crescent mastopexy)

A small, crescent-shaped incision is made along the upper half of the areola for this breast uplift.

This is ideal for women with very minimal sagging or slight asymmetry, or those undergoing a breast augmentation at the same time, where only a small lift is needed.

This technique leaves minimal scarring, as it’s often well hidden along the areolar border. However, it provides a very subtle lift, so isn’t suitable for significant ptosis, and it can sometimes lead to areolar elongation if not performed carefully.

2. Peri-areolar lift (donut lift/circumareolar mastopexy)

This breast uplift involves a circular or ‘donut-shaped’ incision made around the entire outside of the areola. A ring of skin is removed, and the outer skin is pulled inward to meet the areola. 

This technique is suited for mild to moderate sagging, or when areola size reduction is also desired.

Scarring is confined to the border of the areola, making it less conspicuous. Although it provides a moderate lift, it may flatten the breast and can sometimes cause the areola to stretch or widen over time.

3. Vertical lift (lollipop lift/circumvertical mastopexy)

For this type of breast uplift, two incisions are made – one circular incision around the areola and another vertical incision extending downwards from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold (the breast crease), which creates a ‘lollipop’ shape.

This incision is appropriate for moderate sagging, allowing more significant reshaping and removal of excess skin, compared to crescent or peri-areolar lifts. It can also reduce the size of the areola.

The vertical lift allows for good reshaping of the breast and a more noticeable lift. Although it leaves a visible vertical scar in addition to the peri-areolar scar, it involves less scarring than the anchor lift.

4. Anchor lift (inverted T-lift/wise pattern mastopexy)

With this type of uplift, three incisions are made – one around the areola, one vertically down from the areola to the inframammary fold, and a third horizontally along the breast crease. This creates an ‘anchor’ or ‘inverted T’ shape.

This is the best type for significant sagging, extensive excess skin, or when combined with a breast reduction. 

The anchor lift provides the most comprehensive correction for severe ptosis, allowing significant tissue removal and reshaping. However it results in the most extensive scarring.

Other types of mastopexy

• Mastopexy with augmentation: Many women choose to combine a breast lift with breast augmentation (implants) to achieve a fuller, lifted appearance
• Auto-augmentation: In some cases, a surgeon can use your own breast tissue to create more volume in the upper part of the breast during a mastopexy.

Is mastopexy right for me?

You’re more likely to benefit from a breast uplift if you’re self-conscious about the shape of your breasts. There are a few reasons why women choose a breast uplift:

• To restore their breast shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• To improve the contour of their breasts after losing a lot of weight
• To achieve pert, firm breasts if they have naturally sagging breasts.

Your surgeon will carry out a detailed assessment before deciding if surgery is suitable for you. They may ask you:

• Whether you’re planning to lose a lot of weight – it may be better to lose the weight before surgery
• If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the future – as pregnancy may affect the long-term results.

What happens during breast uplift surgery (mastopexy)?

You’ll be under a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep, and it usually takes around 2–2.5 hours. You may also have injections of local anaesthetic to help with the pain after the operation.

Preparing for surgery

There are a few things you can do in the lead up to the procedure to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible:

• Let your doctor know about any medication you take and follow their instructions
• If you smoke, stop smoking several weeks before the operation
• Try to maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Don’t shave or wax the area where a cut is likely to be made for a week beforehand
• Don’t drink alcohol in the week leading up to the procedure.
• Have a bath or shower on the day of the operation.

When you arrive in hospital, you’ll see your surgeon, anaesthetist (who’ll put you to sleep) and nurse (who’ll perform your health checks). Your surgeon will:

• Make sure you fully understand your procedure
• Use a waterproof pen to mark where they will make the cuts 
• Take a photograph to refer to in surgery.

During the operation

1. Once you’re under anaesthetic, your surgeon will sterilise your chest.
2. If you have a crescent lift or peri areolar lift, they’ll make a cut on the line of your areola (area around the nipple). If you’re having a vertical lift, you’ll also have a vertical cut underneath your areola, and if you’re having an anchor lift, you’ll also a have a horizontal cut in the breast crease at the bottom of the vertical cut.
3. They’ll remove excess skin, reshape your breast tissue and reposition your nipple higher up.
4. Your surgeon will usually insert drains in the cuts to help your wounds heal, and they’ll close the skin with dissolvable stitches.

After the procedure

Your surgeon will apply a dressing – which you should keep on for 2 weeks. Then they’ll wrap your chest in bandages or a surgical bra to support your new breasts.

You’ll be taken to the recovery room where you’ll wake up. You shouldn’t feel any pain, but you might be groggy and slightly uncomfortable as you come around.

When you’re ready, you’ll be taken to your room, where your nurse will look after you.

Going home after breast uplift surgery

If your operation is in the morning, you’ll usually be able to go home the same day. If it’s later in the day, you may need to stay in hospital for the night.

If you do go home the same day, for the first 24 hours:

• You’ll need someone to take you home and stay with you overnight
• Don’t drive, operate machinery, or do any potentially dangerous activities (like cooking) until you’ve fully recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination
• You shouldn’t sign legal documents or drink alcohol.

Recovery timeline

Everyone recovers at their own pace so you should discuss this with your surgeon, but generally you should be able get back to normal activities after 1 to 2 weeks.

It usually takes a few weeks for your breasts to look and feel more natural, and up to 6 months to achieve their final shape.

Managing your recovery at home

In the short term, you may feel quite tired and sore, so get plenty of rest. If you’re suffering from severe pain, or you feel unwell, call the healthcare team immediately.

It’s also normal to have:

• a tightness in your chest while the skin adjusts
• less feeling in your breasts and nipples for the first few weeks
• mild bruising, which will fade over the next few weeks
• sensitive breasts for up to a month.

Make sure you follow your surgeon's specific instructions on caring for your wounds, how often you should wear a support bra and how long to sleep upright.

Here are a few things you can do to help manage your recovery at home, and what to expect:

Follow-up appointments

The healthcare team will arrange for you to come back to the clinic regularly to make sure you’re recovering well. They’ll book your appointments before you leave hospital.

What are the benefits of a breast uplift?

Your breasts will have a better overall shape as they’ll be fuller, firmer and more raised. It can also help reduce under breast irritation if this was an issue. 

Women who’ve had a breast uplift often report psychological benefits such as increased self-esteem and feeling more feminine.

How long do the benefits last?

The results usually last for a long time, but gravity and the effects of age may change the shape and size of your breasts.  

You can help to prolong the benefits by:

• avoiding excess sun exposure
• taking supplements to improve skin elasticity like vitamin C and E
• wearing a bra to support your breasts, especially when exercising
• avoiding weight fluctuation and pregnancy.

What are the risks of mastopexy surgery?

Specific complications of a breast uplift

• Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) in the pocket where the implant is placed
• Developing a hard lump in the breast
• Numbness or persistent pain on the outer part of the breast
• Stiff shoulder
• Loss of skin, including the areola and nipple
• Change in breast and nipple sensation
• Reduced ability to breastfeed
• Cosmetic problems.

General complications of a breast uplift

• Bleeding during or soon after the operation
• Infection of the surgical wound
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication
• Blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis – DVT)
• Blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolus)
• Chest infection.

Pain following breast uplift surgery

After a mastopexy it’s normal to experience some mild pain, which you can control with painkillers. Moving your arms can be uncomfortable for 2 to 3 weeks and your breasts may generally feel sensitive for up to a month.

If you’re suffering from severe pain, call your surgeon immediately.

Are there any alternatives to a mastopexy?

• Padded bras or bra inserts: These can make your breasts appear to have a better shape.
• Breast augmentation: A breast augmentation involves inserting silicone breast implants to make your breasts larger and improve their shape – your surgeon may recommend this if you don’t have too much excess skin
• Breast reduction: A breast reduction involves removing excess breast tissue, fat and skin to improve the shape of your breasts – your surgeon may recommend this if you have larger breasts
• Scarless lift: While truly ‘scarless’ breast lifts are not possible with traditional surgery, some less invasive techniques or combinations with other technologies (like laser tightening) are sometimes marketed as such. However, these generally offer minimal lift and are only suitable for very minor concerns.

How much does a breast uplift cost?

At Nuffield Health, a breast uplift costs between £5953 and £9233 for unilateral surgery (one breast), and between £6003 and £14220 for bilateral surgery (both breasts).

Click here and select your local Nuffield Health hospital to find the guide prices for breast uplift. Please note that the guide price stated is an approximate cost of treatment only. You will be given a fixed all-inclusive price for treatment following your initial consultation with a consultant.