Breast Lift Information and Photos

click on the breast lift photos to enlarge each photo

"I just want to be able to run out for an errand without putting a bra on"
"Ever since I started nursing my children, I have noticed that my breasts have started to sag"
"My mother's breasts hang down to her knees. I don't want to wait till mine are like that"

What is a breast lift?

The breasts are like the rest of the body in that they sag with age. The sagging can be exacerbated by childbirth, genetics, stretch marks on the breast skin, weight gain and weight loss. It is normal for the breasts to sag with age.

Many women seeking a breast lift in our Baltimore office wish to regain the full, pert, projecting breast that they had in their teens. Many women say that they dislike the scooped out appearance of the breasts and the loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast.

Can I get rid of the stretch marks on my breast? Why do I have stretch marks?

Yes, some of stretch marks which you see on the skin of the breasts will be surgically eliminated with the breast lift procedure.

As we age the structures that support the breast become stretched and weaker. These structures are the breast skin and the ligaments that hold the breast to the muscle beneath.The breast skin gets stretched when the breast gets bigger, either because of pregnancy or weight gain. Sometimes this leads to the formation of stretch marks on the breast. They are tears in the deeper layers of the skin.. The breast ligaments can not be reliably repaired, so we focus on the skin. Some of the breast skin (which includes the stretch marks) is removed and the nipple and breast tissue are raised. These procedures result in a lifting of the breasts.

How do I know if I am a candidate for the breast lift procedure?

To determine if you need a breast lift we take a measurement of how much your breasts sag. We measure from the center of the nipple to the sternal notch (see diagram) to gauge how far the nipple has fallen. The standard young breast has been determined to have a measurement of about 8" (21 cm nipple to sternal notch).

You can measure this on yourself. If you find that the distance is greater than 8 inches, try moving the nipple up to this level with your opposite hand. This maneuver will give you a very rough idea of the final position if you had a breast lift performed. In reality many other factors are considered. The final result may also differ due to stretching of the skin.

I heard that there are different ways to lift the breast. Which way is best for me?

The further the breast has fallen, the more extensive the surgery will be. We generally perform the breast lift by one of three ways:

crescent mastopexy

benelli mastopexy

vertical lollipop mastopexy

crescent mastopexy
For example when the nipple has fallen only slightly, you may be a candidate for a crescent mastopexy. This procedure performed by our cosmetic breast surgeons involves removing a small crescent of breast skin and breast tissue directly above the areola ( the colored area around the nipple). You are left with a small scar above the areola.

Benelli mastopexy
If the nipple must be moved a little higher the best procedure may be the circumareolar mastopexy of Benelli. This involves removing a donut shaped piece of skin around the areola and attaching the remaining breast skin. The scar is circular and encompasses the areola.

vertical lollipop mastopexy
The last approach is the best for severe breast ptosis (droop) . In this approach the skin is removed around the areola and also on the lower part of the breast gland. The scar is around the areola and also vertically down the front of the breast, as a 'lollipop' scar.

For those who desire a larger breast and a breast lift at the same time see breast lift with implants.

What about the scarring? What is the best technique to reduce scarring?

Scarring is a common concern. For this reason many women request a breast lift with smaller scars, such as the 'benelli' or 'lollipop' scars. We perform these techniques exclusively and feel the results compare favorably to the 'inverted t' or 'anchor scar'. Using the benelli or lollipop methods will not only result in less scarring, but these techniques will also give you a better breast shape.

What's Right for Me?: Interactive Plastic Surgery Quiz

To learn if you are a candidate for a breast lift, please visit Dr. Rodriguez's interactive plastic surgery quiz 'What's Right for Me?'.

How much does the breast lift surgery cost?

The physician's fee for the breast lift surgery ranges from $500 to $3000 depending upon the type of lift you have, and whether or not you combine the procedure with implants.