A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to tighten your breast skin and tissue for a rejuvenated, youthful appearance. Your breasts can lose their firmness and shape due to aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or heredity, but these changes can be counteracted with mastopexy.  

How a breast lift is performed

Breast lift surgery is performed with intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make incisions around your areolas and remove excess skin and tissue. Your nipple and areolas will be repositioned higher on your breast, and if necessary, your areolas will be reduced in size as well. Your surgeon will close all incisions with a combination of sutures, adhesive, and/or surgical tape. The procedure takes about two hours.

Recovery

You will have pain, discomfort, and swelling after surgery, but this will subside in a few days. You can start returning to your normal routine after one week, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for four to six weeks.
  
Scarring can be a significant concern for women getting a breast lift. The size and position of your scars can vary depending on the anatomy of your breasts. The scars will fade over time to become less noticeable, and over the counter scar creams can help speed this up.

Costs of mastopexy

Breast lift surgery costs can vary significantly, and are affected by your location, your surgeon’s experience, and any pre or post-surgery treatment. Health insurance is unlikely to cover the costs of a breast lift, but you can discuss costs directly with your surgeon and health insurance provider for exact information.