Breast Lift
Breast lift surgery to reshape sagging breasts and reposition the nipple and areola.
Consult with Dr. Henry Huson at Queen City Plastic Surgery in West Chester, Ohio, serving the Cincinnati area.
- Setting
- Confirmed with your treatment plan
- Anesthesia
- General
- Procedure time
- Individual estimate at consultation
- Recovery
- Often 1 to 2 weeks for desk work; longer for lifting
- Results
- Develop over months; results vary
General planning information. Your procedure, anesthesia, recovery, and results depend on your health and treatment plan. Returning to work does not mean full healing.
About the procedure
A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue. The incision pattern depends on the degree of drooping, skin quality, and the intended change. It may run around the areola, vertically to the fold, and along the fold.
A lift does not necessarily add upper breast volume or increase breast size. Implants or fat transfer may be considered when more fullness is a goal. Scars are permanent, even when they fade, and pregnancy, weight changes, and aging can alter the result. Changes in sensation and breastfeeding are possible.
Good candidates
- Breasts that sit low or point downward
- Stretched skin after nursing or weight loss
- Nipples that fall below the breast fold
- Patients happy with their size but not their shape
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation. Dr. Huson will tell you honestly if a different approach would serve you better.
Before & after
Coming soon
Before and after photos for breast lift will be added here.
What to expect
Your consultation
The consultation reviews your goals, medical history, medications, nicotine use, and examination findings. Discuss alternatives, the proposed setting and anesthesia, realistic changes, costs, and the support you will need during recovery.
The procedure
Depending on the lift needed, incisions may circle the areola, extend vertically, and follow the breast fold. Excess skin is removed and breast tissue reshaped, with the nipple and areola repositioned according to the plan.
Recovery
Swelling and soreness affect early recovery. A support bra and limits on lifting may be advised. Scar maturation takes many months, and some scars remain prominent.
Risks and limitations
- Permanent scars, asymmetry, delayed healing, and recurrent drooping can occur.
- Nipple sensation or breastfeeding can change. Impaired blood supply can cause partial or complete nipple or areola loss.
This is not a complete list. Your clinician should explain the risks of the specific procedure and anesthesia, including bleeding, infection, healing problems, and any medical factors that change your risk.
Other options
A supportive bra may improve comfort without surgery. Reduction suits excess breast weight; augmentation adds volume. Combining a lift with an implant adds implant-related risks.
Planning your consultation
Bring your medication list and relevant medical history. Ask about the facility, anesthesia team, follow-up, time away from work, and help at home. Request an itemized estimate covering the procedure, anesthesia, facility, and any additional care; confirm coverage directly if insurance may apply.
Common questions
Bring the rest to your consultation. There is no such thing as too many.
Will a breast lift change my size?
It primarily changes shape and position. The perceived size or bra fit may change, but a particular cup size is not guaranteed.
Which incision will I need?
Skin excess and the amount of repositioning determine the pattern. A shorter scar is not always compatible with the intended correction.
Will a lift last forever?
Pregnancy, weight change, and aging can cause further drooping. Another procedure may eventually be considered.
Related procedures
View all 6Sources and further reading
Patient education from Queen City Plastic Surgery. Updated . General information does not replace a personal medical assessment. Sources explain general procedures and do not establish the services or protocols of this practice. Contact the practice with questions or to request a correction.
Ready to talk about Breast Lift?
Consultations are free, unhurried, and educational. Bring your questions and your goals; leave with an honest plan.