Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

What Are the Real Options for Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

If you’re considering a breast lift (mastopexy), you may be wondering about the available options. While you’ve likely heard about both non-surgical and surgical breast lift techniques, understanding your real choices can still be challenging.

Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jake Lim has extensive experience in breast plastic surgery, including mastopexy procedure.

Download Dr Lim’s Breast Lift Surgery Guide

What Is Breast Ptosis?

Before we discuss the various lift options, it’s essential to understand what causes breasts to sag in the first place. The medical term for sagging breasts is “ptosis,” and it’s a natural part of ageing. Factors that contribute to breast ptosis include:

Ageing: As you get older, your skin loses elasticity, and the ligaments that support your breasts can stretch.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: These experiences can cause significant changes in breast size and shape.
Weight fluctuations: Gaining and losing weight can affect the volume and elasticity of your breast tissue.
Genetics: Some women are simply more prone to sagging breasts due to their genetic makeup.
Gravity: Over time, the constant downward pull of gravity takes its toll on breast tissue.

Non-Surgical Breast Lift Options

If you’re not quite ready for surgery or are looking for less invasive options, there are several non-surgical techniques that claim to lift and firm the breasts. While these methods generally provide less visible results compared to surgery, they can be a good starting point for some women.

Chest Exercises

One of the most natural ways to improve the appearance of your breasts is through targeted chest exercises. While exercises won’t directly lift your breasts (as they’re composed primarily of fat and glandular tissue, not muscle), they can help strengthen and tone the underlying pectoral muscles. This can provide a slight lifting effect and improve overall chest appearance.

Key exercises to try:

Push-ups (regular or modified)
Chest presses with dumbbells or resistance bands
Chest flyes
Plank rotations

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to exercise. Aim for at least 2-3 chest-focused workouts per week to see noticeable results.

Breast Serums and Creams

There’s no shortage of topical products claiming to firm and lift the breasts. While many of these products can improve skin texture and hydration, it’s important to approach their lifting claims with a healthy dose of scepticism.

Some ingredients to look for in breast firming creams include:

Retinoids: These vitamin A derivatives can improve skin elasticity and firmness.
Peptides: Certain peptides may help stimulate collagen production.
Hyaluronic acid: This ingredient can help hydrate and plump the skin.
Antioxidants: Ingredients like vitamin C and E can protect the skin from free radical damage.

While these products may provide some subtle improvements, don’t expect dramatic lifting results from topical applications alone.

Breast Lift Without Implants Patient 4 — Front View

Non-Invasive Skin Tightening Treatments

Several non-invasive treatments claim to tighten skin and improve breast appearance without surgery. These typically use various forms of energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten existing collagen fibres.

Common non-invasive skin tightening treatments include:

Ultrasound therapy (e.g., Ultherapy)
Radiofrequency treatments
Laser treatments

These treatments can provide mild to moderate changes in skin tightness and texture. However, results are generally not so visible and may require multiple sessions to achieve noticeable effects.

Vampire Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

The Vampire Breast Lift is a relatively new non-surgical procedure that’s gaining popularity. This treatment uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from your own blood to potentially alter breast shape and skin quality.

Here’s how it works:

A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm
The blood is processed to concentrate the platelets, creating PRP
The PRP is then injected into specific areas of the breasts

The idea behind this treatment is that the growth factors in PRP may:

Stimulate collagen production
Improve skin texture and tone
Enhance blood flow to the breast tissue
Provide a minor lift and fullness

It’s important to note that the Vampire Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is still considered experimental by many in the medical community. The effects may not be noticeable in women with significant sagging.

Breast Tape and Adhesive Bras

For temporary lifting effects, some women turn to breast tape or adhesive bras. These products physically lift the breasts by adhering to the skin and can be worn under clothing for special occasions.

While these options can provide an immediate lifting effect, they’re not a long-term solution and may not be suitable for all breast sizes or skin types. Additionally, frequent use of adhesives on the delicate breast skin can potentially lead to irritation or skin damage.

Proper Bra Fitting

Sometimes, the simplest solution can make a considerable difference. Many women are wearing the wrong bra size, which can contribute to the appearance of sagging breasts. Getting professionally fitted for a bra that provides proper support can instantly improve the look of your breasts and provide a lift.

Look for bras with:

Underwire support
Wide, adjustable straps
A snug band that sits parallel to the ground
Cups that fully encase your breast tissue

Breast Lift With Implants Patient 15 — Front View

Surgical Breast Lift Options

When non-surgical options aren’t providing the results you desire, it might be time to consider surgical breast lift procedures.

Traditional Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A traditional breast lift, or mastopexy, is the most common surgical procedure for lifting sagging breasts. This operation involves removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue to create an elevated appearance.

The procedure typically involves:

Making incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease
Removing excess skin
Reshaping and repositioning the breast tissue
Potentially resizing and repositioning the nipple-areola complex
Closing the incisions to create a lifted, firmer breast shape

Recovery time for a traditional breast lift is usually around 2-3 weeks, with full results visible after several months as swelling subsides and tissues settle.

Crescent Lift

For women with minimal sagging, a crescent lift might be appropriate. This technique involves a small incision along the upper half of the areola’s edge. It’s best suited for those who need only a slight lift and have good skin elasticity.

The crescent lift offers:

Small scars
Shorter recovery time
Subtle lifting effect

However, it’s important to note that this technique is limited in how much lift it can achieve and is not suitable for moderate to severe sagging.

Periareolar Lift (Donut Lift)

The periareolar lift, also known as a donut lift, involves an incision around the entire circumference of the areola. This technique is suitable for women with mild sagging and can be combined with breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) if desired.

Benefits of the periareolar lift include:

Less visible scars (confined to the areola border)
Ability to reduce areola size if desired
Moderate lifting effect

Vertical Lift (Lollipop Lift)

The vertical lift, or lollipop lift, combines the circular incision around the areola with a vertical incision down to the breast crease. This technique is appropriate for women with moderate sagging and provides more reshaping than the crescent or periareolar lifts.

Advantages of the vertical lift include:

More lifting and reshaping
Ability to remove more excess skin
Better breast projection

Inverted-T Lift (Anchor Lift)

For women with significant sagging or those who need a substantial amount of tissue removed, the inverted-T lift (also called an anchor lift) might be the best option. This technique involves three incisions: around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease.

The inverted-T lift offers:

Maximum lifting and reshaping potential
Ability to address severe sagging
Significant alteration in breast contour and position

While this technique results in more extensive scarring, it provides the most visible results for women with severe breast ptosis.

Breast Lift with Augmentation (Augmentation mastopexy)

For women who desire both a lift and an increase in breast volume, a combination of breast lift – mastopexy and augmentation can be performed. This procedure involves lifting the breast tissue and inserting implants to enhance size and shape.

Benefits of combining lift with augmentation include:

Changed breast volume and upper pole fullness
Ability to address both sagging and size concerns in one surgery

Factors to Consider when Making Your Decision

Choosing between non-surgical and surgical breast lift options is a highly personal decision. Here are some factors to consider as you weigh your options:

Degree of ptosis: The extent of your breast sagging will play a role in determining which options are most suitable for you.
Desired outcome: Consider how significant a change you’re looking for. Non-surgical options generally provide minor changes, while surgical procedures offer more considerable and long-lasting results.
Recovery time: Non-surgical options typically require little to no downtime, while surgical procedures involve a recovery period of several weeks.
Cost: Non-surgical treatments are generally less expensive upfront but may require ongoing treatments. Surgical procedures have a higher initial cost but provide longer-lasting results.
Risks: All procedures carry some level of risk, but surgical options naturally involve more potential complications. It’s essential to discuss these risks thoroughly with your plastic surgeon.
Longevity of results: While non-surgical treatments may need to be repeated regularly, surgical results are typically long-lasting, although they don’t stop the natural ageing process entirely.
Skin quality: The elasticity and quality of your skin can impact the effectiveness of both non-surgical and surgical techniques.
Overall health: Your general health and lifestyle factors (such as smoking) can affect your suitability for certain procedures, particularly surgical options.

FAQs about Non-Surgical vs Surgical Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

How long do the results of a surgical breast lift – mastopexy typically last?

While a breast lift – mastopexy doesn’t stop the ageing process, the results can be long-lasting. The results can last 10-15 years or more. However, factors like massive weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and the natural ageing process can affect the longevity of your results. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle can help prolong the effects of your breast lift – mastopexy.

Can I breastfeed after having a breast lift – mastopexy?

In some cases, women can still breastfeed after a breast lift – mastopexy. However, it’s important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon if you’re planning to have children in the future. Some surgical techniques may have a higher risk of affecting milk production or nipple sensation.

Are there any non-invasive treatments that can help maintain the results of a surgical breast lift – mastopexy?

While non-invasive treatments can’t replicate the results of surgery, they may help maintain your results. Regular use of high-quality skincare products, particularly those containing retinoids and peptides, can help maintain skin elasticity. In some cases, periodic non-invasive skin tightening treatments, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound therapy, can help prolong the surgical results. However, it’s essential to consult with your plastic surgeon before starting any new treatments.

How soon after pregnancy or breastfeeding can I have a breast lift – mastopexy?

It’s generally recommended to wait at least 6-12 months after you’ve finished breastfeeding before having a breast lift – mastopexy. This allows time for your breasts to settle into their new shape and for your hormone levels to stabilise. If you’re not breastfeeding, you should wait until your body has fully recovered from pregnancy, typically around 6 to 8 months postpartum. Dr Lim will assess your individual situation and advise on the best timing for your procedure.

Can a breast lift – mastopexy help with asymmetry between my breasts?

A breast lift – mastopexy can be an option for correcting breast asymmetry. During the procedure, Dr Lim can tailor the technique to address differences in size, shape, or position between your breasts. This might involve removing more tissue from one breast than the other or adjusting the nipple position differently on each side. In some cases, combining a lift with augmentation (using different sized implants) or reduction techniques can achieve optimal symmetry.