A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, lifts sagging breasts and removes stretched skin. You may be a candidate for a breast lift if your breasts have lost their natural firmness after pregnancy, nursing, substantial weight loss, or the force of gravity. It may also be helpful if your areolas (pigmented areas around nipples) are enlarged. This procedure is often combined with a breast augmentation, but can be performed alone for women who desire more shapely breasts without increased size. A breast lift is also an inherent part of a breast reduction.

Our Technique

This surgery is usually performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia and can be as short as 1 hour if performed alone, or up to 3 hours if combined with an augmentation. It is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you will go home a couple of hours after the procedure. There are several procedures for performing a breast lift. Dr. Hunsicker typically uses various types of incision patterns depending on the severity of your droop. This involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast for severe droop or a lollipop pattern in those with less droop.

After lifting and repositioning the breast, Dr. Hunsicker will close the incisions using a combination of internal sutures (that will dissolve on their own) and Dermabond (a surgical super glue) on the skin surface. This combination helps to minimize scarring.

After surgery you may experience some swelling and bruising that will quickly subside. If you have only the lift (with no augmentation), your discomfort should be relatively minor, but you will have medication should you need it. If you have a lift with augmentation, you will have slightly more discomfort due to muscle spasm. This is greatly reduced by use of a pain pump and prescription pain medication, but you will likely still feel “pressure” until your tissue stretches to accommodate the implants. Your pain pump is removed in 3-4 days. You should expect to have lifting and physical activity restrictions for 4-6 weeks. It is usually best to plan for a week of down time prior to returning to work.

Our Before & After Photos

Patient One

This is a 58 year old woman who is 5’6” and 150 lbs. She previously was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent segmental mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation of the right breast. She came to see Dr. Hunsicker because she was unhappy with the asymmetry caused by radiation of her right breast, and wished to undergo surgery on her left breast to correct the problem. Prior to surgery, she had a C-cup right breast and a very full D-cup left breast. After having a breast lift on the left side, she finally feels restored and thinks her breasts are beautiful!

Before	Before	Before
After - 7 months	After - 7 months	After - 7 months
Before	Before
After - 7 months	After - 7 months

Patient Two

This is a 5’5”, 115 lb, 27 year old woman who breast fed two children. She complained of sagging breast that had deflated after breastfeeding. She wanted to lift and enlarge her B-cup breasts to a C-cup and decided to have a breast lift and augmentation. Her implants are Mentor Smooth Round Moderate Profile Silicone Gel implants. On the right side she has a 325 cc implant, and a 300 cc implant on her left side. After one year, this patient is very happy with the results and so glad she didn’t wait any longer.

Before	Before	Before
After - 1 year	After - 1 year	After - 1 year

Patient Three

This is a 36 year old woman who is 5’5” and 156 lbs. She complained of droopy breasts and unhappiness with the overall shape of her breasts. She is very athletic and did not wish to significantly change the size of her breast, but rather desired to lift and maintain the fullness. Patient underwent a breast lift with a slight augmentation to provide the fullness. Her implants are 150 cc Mentor Smooth Round Moderate Profile Silicone Gels. She is still a B-cup, but has the shape she always wanted. Two-and-a-half years following surgery, this patient “loves the results!”

Before	Before	Before
After - 2 years	After - 2 years	After - 2 years

As with any surgical procedure, complications from a breast lift, although rare, do exist. The specific risks, as well as suitability, for any given individual cannot be determined until the time of consultation. While we hope this information is helpful, it can not substitute for a consultation. We invite you to contact us at 720-283-2500 or online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunsicker. Together, you can determine if you are a good candidate for a breast lift as well as specific risks and complications that may occur.

For more detailed information please visit The American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) ®