What To Expect When Getting Breast Lift Surgery

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that tightens and lifts your breasts. As you age, your breasts lose their firmness and elasticity, which can cause them to start to sag. This can also happen during pregnancy or as a result of drastic changes in weight (via Mayo Clinic). A breast lift, however, can help correct this. While a breast lift won't change the size of your breasts, it will raise and even reshape your breast tissue by removing excess skin. It can also improve asymmetry and other imperfections.

For instance, a breast lift can help lift and alter the size of the areolae and even adjust the direction of the nipples. As a result, getting a breast lift can give your breasts a firmer, perkier, and more symmetrical appearance. Although breast lifts can be done on any size breasts, they tend to have more lasting results if your breasts are on the smaller side. That's because larger breasts are generally heavier, making them more likely to sag again and lose their elasticity.

During the procedure, your surgeon will likely mark the area of your breasts that will be lifted with a pen or marker. They will administer general anesthesia to make you relax and fall asleep (via Healthline). Once you're fully asleep, they will make an incision around the areola of each breast, extending downward or outward. The surgeon will then raise and reshape your breasts, correcting the position of the areolae and removing any excess skin. After that, they will close any incisions with stitches or sutures and apply bandages.

While you're recovering from your breast surgery, you will need to wear a surgical bra for two to three weeks and keep your chest raised. Your breasts will feel painful and swollen for a while, so your doctor will prescribe pain relievers and provide you with instructions on how to ice your breasts and chest area. The pain and swelling should subside within a few weeks after surgery. However, it could take anywhere from two to 12 months for your breasts to reach their final shape.