Why breasts drop
Breasts drop with age, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and after weight loss. The skin and the fibrous bands that hold the breast up get stretched, and once they've stretched nothing pulls them back. Exercise can't fix it, because there's no muscle in the breast to train.
What the operation does
A surgeon can't rebuild the breast's natural support, but can reshape it. Extra skin comes away from the lower half, the breast tissue is shaped into a tighter cone, and the nipple moves up to sit at the front of the new shape. Large or stretched areolas can be made smaller at the same time.
A lift doesn't add volume. It changes the shape and the height. If you'd like more fullness at the top of the breast, that usually means implants as well.
The types of lift
The type depends on how far the breast has dropped and how much skin has to go. Each makes a different scar:
- Around the areola (a periareolar or doughnut lift): a scar around the edge of the areola only. For a small lift.
- Lollipop (vertical): around the areola and straight down to the crease. The most common type.
- Anchor (inverted T): around the areola, down, and along the crease under the breast. For larger or lower breasts.
More on what they look like over time: breast lift scars.
On the day
The surgeon marks your breasts while you stand, then you have a general anaesthetic. Most people stay one night. You'll need an adult to collect you and someone at home for the first day or two. You may wake with a small drain tube from each breast, which usually comes out within a few days, and a firm support bra or dressing that stays on until the stitches are out at about 10 days to two weeks.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
A lift suits breasts that have dropped and emptied, with a nipple that now sits at or below the crease. Results usually last longer with smaller breasts than heavy ones.
A breast lift isn't for you yet if:
- you're still breastfeeding, or stopped in the last six months
- you plan more children
- your weight is still going down or up
- you smoke and won't stop at least six weeks before
Realistic results
The breasts sit higher and feel firmer straight away, and the shape keeps settling for some months. The scars are permanent. A lift doesn't last forever. Gravity, time, weight gain and any later pregnancy all take their toll, and heavy breasts tend to drop again sooner than small ones. A well-fitted bra slows it down.
Choosing a surgeon
Every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and only a doctor with specialist registration can practise independently as a specialist. For a breast lift, check that the surgeon is on the Specialist Division in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, using the Medical Council's online register.
Nobody needs an urgent breast lift. If a clinic pushes you to book or pay a deposit on the day, walk away and take your time.
Questions people ask
Is mastopexy the same as a breast lift?
Yes. Mastopexy is the medical name; breast lift and breast uplift are the everyday names.
Is a breast lift done under general anaesthetic?
Usually, yes, and most people stay one night in hospital.
Does a breast lift make breasts bigger?
No. It changes the shape and height. For more fullness, implants are usually added.
How long does a breast lift last?
A lift doesn't last forever. Gravity, time, weight gain and any later pregnancy all take their toll, and heavy breasts tend to drop again sooner than small ones. A well-fitted bra slows it down.