Breast Lift
Breast Lift offered in Toronto, ON, Canada
A breast lift is a procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing extra skin and tightening up the tissue. It gives the breasts a firmer, perkier look, perfect for anyone wanting to restore their shape after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
Benefits of a Breast Lift?
Some benefits of a Breast Lift are:
Enhances body symmetry and balance
Restores a firmer, more youthful breast shape
Improves breast position by lifting sagging tissue
Provides a natural look without adding implants (unless desired)
Reduces skin irritation under the breasts caused by sagging
What is the Sleeve Gastrectomy?
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgery designed to lift and reshape breasts that have lost firmness due to natural factors like weight loss, nursing, pregnancy, or gravity over time. This surgery may reposition the nipple and areola, tightening breast tissue, and removing excess skin. The areola size can also be reduced if desired. A breast lift can be done on its own or paired with breast implants for women who want to enhance or restore breast volume.
Am I a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Each woman has their own goals for their breast lift results. Typically, breast lift surgery is an option for women whose breasts have lost volume or sag due to weight loss, pregnancy, nursing, aging, natural droopiness, or noticeable asymmetry. This procedure lifts and enhances the appearance of breasts that show one or more of the following concerns:
- Elasticity in skin and a loss of the breasts firmness
- Sagging breasts or a pendulous shape
- Expanded areolae and nipple that are downward pointing
- Nipples that sit below the breast crease (inframammary fold)
- Lack of symmetry between the breasts
You may be an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery at the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute if you experience any of the above conditions.
Breast Lift Patient Education
Procedure Steps
In the initial stage, liposuction is done on selected donor areas—typically the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—where enough fat can be collected. These areas are carefully sculpted to achieve your desired contours. A gentle liposuction technique is used to preserve the fat cells’ viability, after which the harvested fat is processed and prepared for breast injection.
The surgeon will evaluate your natural breast shape, discuss your desired outcome, and determine how much lift is needed to achieve the look you want. This information guides the choice of technique for the procedure.
You will be given general anesthesia to allow you to sleep through the procedure. The surgery is conducted in a fully sterile operating room to reduce infection risk. Once the incisions are made, your surgeon carefully repositions the breast tissue and removes any excess skin, creating a lifted appearance with enhanced projection.
Surgery:
After the surgery, you’ll be taken to the Recovery Room for close monitoring. Once our skilled nurses confirm you're ready, you’ll either go home with an adult to accompany you (as you won’t be able to drive) or, if preferred, stay your first night at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Swelling from the breast lift will initially affect your results, but as healing progresses, you’ll see the full, refined appearance of your breasts.
It's important to note that the final determination of candidacy for sleeve gastrectomy is made by a bariatric surgeon who evaluates the individual's specific medical history, physical examination, and other relevant factors.
Types of Incisions
Periareolar Breast Incision:
The Periareolar Breast Lift, or "Doughnut Lift," repositions the nipple with minimal scarring limited to the areola, making it suitable for those with mild sagging needing just 1-2 cm of lift. Though popular for its subtle scar, this technique is only effective in specific cases and doesn’t provide an actual lift to the breast tissue itself.
Vertical Breast Incision (Lollipop Lift):
The Vertical Sling technique, an advanced breast lift, elevates and reshapes the breast using a "Chest Muscle Sling" for enhanced support, longevity, and minimal scarring. Ideal for moderate to severe sagging, this method creates a youthful, perky look with lasting results.
Weiss “Anchor” Breast Incision:
An anchor incision breast lift is used for moderate to severe sagging, offering maximum reshaping with a vertical and horizontal incision, resulting in an anchor-shaped scar. This technique provides dramatic results, and with proper post-op care, scars typically fade and remain discreet within the breast fold.
Surgery Complications and Risks
Complications following a Breast Lift are uncommon; the following risks may occur:
Infections are very uncommon but can happen, which can result in needing antibiotics and/or drainage for the treatment. In very rare cases, surgery may be needed for a severe infection.
Although bleeding is rare, blood clots can form underneath the skin which may need to be drained. If severe, hospitalization and a blood transfusion may be necessary.
Wounds can open, but they usually heal on their own. This may be linked to a reduced blood supply to the skin, known as skin necrosis.
If skin irregularities occur they may be resolved by a simple massage or over time. If these lumps, hardness, or dimpling remain, other treatment methods may be required
No one has perfectly symmetrical breasts, and it’s important to understand that surgery won’t make both breasts identical. In some cases, the procedure may even make an existing asymmetry more noticeable.
You may need to seek nursing at your closest clinic to assist with wound care
A hernia may be discovered during surgery and could require repair, which carries a risk of potential injury to the bowel.
In the first week following an abdominoplasty, you may experience dizziness especially when standing up from sitting or lying down. In this case, take care while driving or walking until it goes away.
It is possible to abnormal scarring, but is rare.
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and fat embolism are potential risks that may arise.
Recovery & Scarring
Breast lift surgery requires incisions that leave permanent scars, though they often fade significantly over time. These scars are placed discreetly along natural folds and around the areola, making them easy to conceal, even with bikinis or low-cut tops.
Some patients may develop hypertrophic scars, which become red, thick, and wide over time, requiring additional treatment. Those at higher risk include individuals with a history of thick scars, family history of keloid scarring, and darker skin tones.
- During recovery, your body will heal, and the final appearance of your breasts will gradually emerge as swelling and bruising subside. Patients can opt for a night at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel post-surgery (additional cost), with follow-up visits scheduled to monitor healing progress. Most women resume regular activities within a week and will need to wear a support bra for six weeks, then continue with proper bra support for lasting results.
FAQ
- Pendulous breasts of satisfactory size
- Breasts lacking firmness or substance
- Nipple/areola complexes pointing downward, especially if below the breast fold
- Asymmetry between breasts or nipple/areola placement