Breast Lift
Restore a youthful, lifted contour with techniques that reposition, reshape, and rejuvenate -- with or without implants.
The Procedure
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift -- known clinically as mastopexy -- reshapes and elevates the breasts by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful height. The result is a firmer, more uplifted breast contour that restores the shape you may have lost over time.
Unlike augmentation, a breast lift does not significantly change breast size. However, Dr. Chen frequently combines a lift with implants for patients who desire both restored position and added volume -- creating what many consider the most transformative result in breast surgery.
With or Without
Implants
Ideal Candidates
Is a Breast Lift Right for You?
A breast lift is ideal for women who are happy with their breast volume but want to restore a firmer, more youthful position.
Surgical Techniques
Lift Techniques & Incision Patterns
Dr. Chen selects the technique that delivers the best result with the least amount of scarring for your anatomy.
Periareolar (Donut) Lift
The most minimal approach, involving an incision only around the areola. Best suited for patients with mild sagging who need a subtle lift. It can also be used to reduce areola size. Scarring is virtually invisible once healed.
Lollipop (Vertical) Lift
A versatile technique using two incisions -- one around the areola and one running vertically from the areola to the breast fold. It provides moderate reshaping with less scarring than the anchor method and is Dr. Chen's most frequently performed lift technique.
Anchor (Inverted-T) Lift
The most comprehensive approach, adding a horizontal incision along the breast fold. Reserved for patients with significant sagging, this technique offers maximum reshaping and is often the best choice when combining a lift with augmentation or performing a dramatic transformation.
Scar Management
A Thoughtful Approach to Scarring
The most common concern patients share about breast lifts is scarring -- and it is a valid one. Dr. Chen addresses this with the same precision he brings to every aspect of surgery. Incisions are placed along natural anatomical boundaries where scars blend into the body's contours.
Every patient receives a detailed scar-care protocol that includes medical-grade silicone sheeting, gentle massage techniques, and sun protection guidance. Most scars fade to thin, pale lines within twelve to eighteen months and continue to improve for up to two years.
Artistry & Precision
Dr. Chen's Approach
A breast lift demands an eye for proportion that goes beyond technical skill. Dr. Chen evaluates your breast shape, skin quality, nipple position, and chest wall anatomy to select the technique that will produce the most harmonious, natural-looking result. His background in art and sculpture gives him an intuitive sense of the curves and lines that define a beautiful breast contour.
For patients considering a lift with augmentation, Dr. Chen carefully calculates the interplay between tissue tightening and implant volume. The goal is a result where every element works together -- the skin envelope, the breast tissue, and the implant -- creating a shape that looks effortlessly natural.
Your Journey
Procedure Step by Step
Comprehensive Consultation
A thorough examination of your breast anatomy, skin quality, and degree of sagging. Dr. Chen will discuss which lift technique is right for you and whether combining with augmentation will help you achieve your ideal result.
Custom Surgical Planning
Dr. Chen creates precise markings and a detailed surgical blueprint. If implants are being added, you will try on sizers and review 3D imaging to finalize your volume and profile preferences.
Pre-Operative Preparation
Lab work, medical clearance, and a complete set of pre-operative instructions. You will know exactly what to do -- and what to avoid -- in the two weeks before surgery.
Surgery Day
Performed under general anesthesia in our private AAAHC-accredited surgical suite. The procedure typically takes two to three hours -- or three to four hours when combined with augmentation. Dr. Chen uses internal tissue sculpting to maximize the longevity of your lift.
Recovery & Follow-Up
You receive Dr. Chen's personal cell phone number. A supportive surgical bra is worn for the first several weeks. Follow-up appointments at one week, one month, three months, and one year track your healing and ensure optimal results.
What to Expect
Recovery Timeline
Rest & Heal
Moderate soreness and swelling are normal. You will wear a supportive surgical bra around the clock. Prescription pain management keeps you comfortable. Avoid raising your arms above shoulder height.
Gentle Movement
Swelling begins to subside. Light walking is encouraged to promote circulation. Most patients describe the discomfort as manageable tightness. Desk-job patients often return to work by day five to seven.
Resuming Routine
Bruising fades and incisions begin to heal. Driving resumes when you are off prescription pain medication. Light exercise and daily activities feel natural again. Scar-care protocol begins.
Full Recovery
Full exercise resumes at six weeks. Scars continue to fade and flatten over the following months. Your final lifted shape settles beautifully, and the breast contour matures over three to six months.
Real Results
Before & After
Drag the slider to reveal transformations. Each result reflects Dr. Chen's commitment to natural, proportionate outcomes.
Lollipop lift -- 6 months post-op
Anchor lift with augmentation -- 4 months post-op
Periareolar lift -- 8 months post-op
Lollipop lift, post-pregnancy -- 5 months post-op
Individual results may vary. Photos used with patient consent.
Investment
Breast Lift Pricing
$7,000 – $12,000
Pricing varies based on the lift technique, whether implants are included, and anesthesia requirements. All quotes include surgeon fees, facility fees, anesthesia, and post-operative care.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, though gravity, aging, and weight fluctuations will continue to affect your breasts over time. Most patients enjoy their lifted contour for ten to fifteen years or more. Maintaining a stable weight, wearing supportive bras, and following a healthy lifestyle all contribute to prolonging your results.
Absolutely. A combined breast lift with augmentation is one of the most commonly requested procedures at our practice. The lift restores position and eliminates sagging, while the implant adds volume and upper-pole fullness. Dr. Chen frequently performs this combination in a single surgery, and the results are transformative -- addressing both shape and size simultaneously.
Scarring depends on the technique used. The periareolar approach produces a scar only around the areola. The lollipop technique adds a vertical line from the areola to the breast fold. The anchor lift adds a horizontal scar along the fold. Dr. Chen places every incision with meticulous precision, and most scars fade to thin, pale lines within twelve to eighteen months. A dedicated scar-care protocol with medical-grade silicone is included in your post-operative plan.
Many patients breastfeed successfully after a breast lift. Dr. Chen uses techniques that preserve the milk ducts and the nerve supply to the nipple-areola complex. However, if the nipple needs to be moved a significant distance, there is a greater chance that breastfeeding ability may be affected. This is an important conversation to have during your consultation if future breastfeeding is a priority.
The best time for a breast lift is after you have finished having children and your weight has been stable for at least six months. Pregnancy and significant weight changes can alter your results, so waiting until your family is complete maximizes the longevity of the procedure. That said, a breast lift will not prevent you from becoming pregnant or breastfeeding in the future.
A breast lift reshapes and repositions the breast tissue, raising the nipple-areola complex and removing excess skin to create a firmer, more youthful contour. It does not significantly change breast size. Augmentation, on the other hand, uses implants to increase volume. Many patients benefit from combining both procedures when they desire both lift and added fullness.
Recovery from a breast lift is very similar to augmentation -- most patients take five to seven days off work and resume full activity at six weeks. The primary difference is that a lift involves more incision lines, so scar management becomes an important part of the post-operative protocol. Swelling and sensitivity follow a comparable timeline.
Reclaim the contour
you remember.
Schedule a personalized consultation to discuss your breast lift options, explore whether combining with augmentation is right for you, and receive a customized surgical plan from Dr. Chen.
