251-929-7850
Breast Lift
(Mastopexy)
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
While many women think of breast augmentation when they imagine enhancing the appearance of their breasts, a breast lift (mastopexy) can lift and reshape your natural breast tissue for a firmer, perkier figure without the need for implants. A breast lift can be ideal for women who notice a deflated appearance to their breasts following pregnancy or weight loss, or may be performed in combination with breast reduction surgery for beautiful final results.
No matter your goals, Dr. James Koehler, Dr. Vincent Gardner, and the highly skilled team at Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery can help. Our board-certified cosmetic surgeons have more than 40 years of combined experience in breast enhancement procedures. With high standards for individual patient care and satisfaction, we have helped thousands of women throughout the Mobile-Pensacola area achieve amazing results while maintaining a natural-looking appearance.
Are You a Candidate?
The best candidates for a breast lift are women who have concerns about the shape or position of their breasts. If your nipples point fully downward or hang past the inframammary fold (the natural crease under the breast), you may be a candidate for a breast lift. A breast lift can also be performed in combination with breast augmentation for a higher, curvier profile or to help revitalize your figure as part of a mommy makeover or with post-weight loss body contouring. It’s also important to be in good overall physical and mental health and to have realistic expectations about your results.
Although a breast lift can really bring out the best in your natural assets, it’s important to understand that a lift alone will not provide an increase in fullness in the upper pole of the breast or increase your cup size and add volume. For this reason, women who want a dramatic size boost in addition to an uplifted shape and higher placement may opt to include breast implants at the same time as a lift. During your consultation, your surgeon will go over all your options to help ensure that you’re a good candidate for mastopexy before proceeding with surgery.
Before and After Photos
View our gallery of before and after photos of real breast lift patients who have achieved excellent results at Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.
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About Breast Lifts
The impact of weight fluctuations, pregnancy and nursing, weight gain or loss and the way aging affects your body can all contribute to the shape and placement of your breasts. If your breasts have taken on a long, droopy shape or seem to be deflated reflections of their former glory, a breast lift can help to raise your self-esteem along with boosting your figure.
Some of the most notable benefits of a breast lift include:
- Restoring a more youthful breast shape. By removing excess skin and lifting the breast tissue, a breast lift can reverse sagging and create a firmer, rounder contour that looks and feels more youthful.
- Improving nipple position. During a breast lift, the surgeon repositions the nipples and can reduce stretched areolas, ensuring they sit higher on the breast to better complement your overall shape.
- Boosting self esteem. Restoring the appearance of the breasts often brings a renewed sense of body confidence, helping women feel more comfortable in intimate settings and more positive about their overall figure.
- Enhancing clothing fit. Many women find that after a breast lift, bras, swimsuits and fitted tops fit more comfortably and attractively, eliminating the need for extra padding or support.
- Providing long-lasting results. Although the natural aging process can’t be stopped altogether, a breast lift can provide long-lasting results, often without the need for implants or other procedures if not desired.
We are excited to offer Pro-Nox pain relief that can be added to any of the in-office procedures we perform. Pro-Nox is an inhaled analgesic that gives our patients 100% control through self-administration. Get short-term pain, anxiety, and stress relief without having to “go under.”
Breast Lift Techniques
There are several breast lift techniques that can be used to restore a lifted, firmer appearance:
- The lollipop technique. This breast lift technique can help to minimize scarring while also providing comprehensive results. Using this method, your surgeon makes an incision around the areola and then straight down to the breast crease, resembling a “lollipop” shape.
- The anchor, or inverted T technique. This technique involves three incisions: one around the areola, one running vertically down to the crease and another along the crease under the breast. Dr. Koehler and Dr. Gardner may recommend this technique for women with significant sagging or excess skin.
- The donut technique. Also called a periareolar lift, this technique uses a single circular incision around the areola. While it can work well for women with only mild sagging, it is not generally recommended for most women seeking a breast lift for more pronounced drooping or excess skin.
During your consultation, your surgeon will explain these breast lift techniques in more detail and let you know which one he feels would be best for your unique situation.
Breast Lifts with Other Procedures
A breast lift can be performed on its own, but is also often included with other breast enhancement procedures. For example, breast reduction surgery nearly always includes a breast lift at the same time, because the breasts need to be reshaped and lifted as part of the reduction process. Women who are considering breast implants but who have naturally saggy breasts are also more likely to feel satisfied with their breast augmentation results if a lift is incorporated at the same time.
For women who would like to address cosmetic concerns in the breasts and other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, a breast lift can be included as part of a larger mommy makeover combination procedure.
Most importantly, our surgeons take a customized approach toward each patient, combining the right procedures to give you the results you hope for.
Your Breast Lift Consultation
Every breast enhancement procedure starts out with a personal consultation with Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner, along with a physical evaluation. During this time, you’ll discuss together what your hopes are for surgery, which techniques and procedures could be best for you and what you can expect from pre-surgery through post-op and recovery.
This is also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you might have, both about breast lifts in general and the specifics of your individual procedure. The goal of this appointment is to ensure you leave feeling comfortable and confident in your ability to make informed-decisions about your care.
Dr. Koehler
Educated at the University of Alabama and in practice for over 20 years, Dr. Koehler is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is devoted to providing exceptional results.
Dr. Gardner
A triple-board-certified surgeon specializing in both cosmetic and venous procedures, Dr. Gardner brings a depth of expertise, compassion, and innovation to our practice.
What to Expect
A breast lift procedure is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, so you can expect to be able to return home the same day. The procedure itself generally takes between 1 and 3 hours to complete, depending on whether or not you’ve elected to include any additional procedures such as breast augmentation.
During breast lift surgery, your surgeon will begin by making the necessary incisions, which will depend on the specific technique used for your procedure. This will be discussed with you in detail at your consultation and pre-op appointments. Through these access points, the surgeon is able to reshape your breast tissue so that it’s centered under the nipple, as well as tighten the supportive tissues for an uplifted appearance. The nipple and areola are repositioned and reduced at the same time if necessary. Any excess skin and tissue are removed to create an improved contour.
Risks and Complications
Although the risks associated with a breast lift is usually minimal, your surgeon will go over all the potential side effects and complications with you ahead of time so that you’re well-informed before making a decision about your surgery. Common complications include those that are typical for any surgery, like infection or experiencing a negative reaction to anesthesia. Complications like permanent changes in sensation, irregular contours or asymmetry are rare, but still possible. Your surgeon will go over all the risks and benefits with you before your surgery so you know exactly what to expect.
Breast Lift Recovery
Most women are able to return to work and light daily activities within about 1 to 2 weeks after a breast lift. During this time, you may notice some swelling, bruising or a feeling of tightness in the chest, but these side effects should gradually improve over the next few days and weeks. Any discomfort is usually well-managed with oral medication.
You will be asked to wear a special supportive surgical bra or soft sports bra for several weeks to help with healing and to maintain your new shape. You will also need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and vigorous arm movements for about 6 weeks to protect your incisions and ensure the best possible results. As swelling continues to fade, you’ll start to see your breasts take on their lifted, firmer appearance.
Your New Look
You should notice a difference in your breasts right away after surgery, with your final results gradually becoming more visible over the next several weeks to 6 months. Many women have concerns about the visibility of scars after breast lift surgery. Although scars will remain after your procedure, Dr. Koehler and Dr. Gardner carefully plan the necessary incisions so they can be well-hidden by a bra or bikini top. Your surgeon will also show you scar minimizing massage techniques and recommend a topical cream to promote optimal healing.
Your final profile should look perkier and more youthful, and your breasts should feel firmer. The results of a breast lift are permanent, although gravity and the aging process will still affect your lifted breasts in the future.
Although many patients are able to see noticeable improvements shortly after surgery, it will take some time before the final results are revealed. After surgery, your breasts should continue to develop and settle into their new shape and position over the course of several months. Keep in mind that individual recovery times and results vary. Be patient and follow our post-operative guidelines to help support your results.
Breast lift surgery can provide long-lasting results. While there is nothing we can do to stop the effects of aging, there are some things you can do to support your results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise regimen can help you enjoy your results for years to come.
Breast Lift FAQs
How much does a breast lift cost in Alabama?
The cost of a breast lift in Alabama and elsewhere can vary and will depend on specific details, such as whether or not you are also including breast implants or other procedures, as well as the extent of lifting required. For this reason, we will be able to provide you with a more accurate breast lift cost estimate at the time of your consultation. We are also pleased to offer several cosmetic surgery financing options to help make your procedure as affordable and stress-free as possible.
Will insurance cover the cost of a breast lift?
Insurance does not typically cover the cost of a breast lift because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. In rare cases where a lift is combined with medically necessary breast surgery, partial coverage may be possible, but this is uncommon.
What’s the best age to get a breast lift?
There isn’t a single “best” age for a breast lift. The best time to consider this procedure is when breast sagging or changes in breast shape begin to bother you. Thus, many women choose to get a breast lift after pregnancy, breastfeeding or significant weight changes.
How do I find the best breast lift surgeon near me?
When choosing a cosmetic surgeon for your breast lift surgery, look for qualifications such as an affiliation with the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and ample experience performing breast lift procedures. You should be able to find recent before and after photos of real breast lift results and positive online reviews from previous clients. Schedule a consultation or two and meet with each cosmetic surgeon at the top of your list before making your decision.
Can I still have children after breast lift surgery?
Yes. You can still have children after having a breast lift, but doing so may affect your overall results. The ideal candidate for breast lift surgery will already be at or close to their target weight and done having children. Gaining and losing weight and breastfeeding after a breast lift can stretch the skin once more and create additional breast sagging which can undo your results.
Will I lose nipple sensation with a breast lift?
Some women experience temporary changes in nipple or breast sensation after a breast lift, but this usually improves as healing progresses. Permanent loss of sensation is uncommon, though it can occur in rare cases.
Will a breast lift change my breast size?
During a breast lift, the surgeon reshapes and repositions your breasts by removing excess skin. The breast tissue is not removed during this surgery which means that you should not experience a significant change in your breast size. Although your new breasts may appear slightly smaller, this is simply due to the sagging skin being removed.
Will I have scars after breast lift surgery?
Due to the location of the incisions used for breast lift surgery, you will most likely have scarring. Initially, your scars may appear red and raised. However, this should gradually fade over the course of several months. Many patients find that the scars from surgery are of little concern in comparison to the results their breast lift surgery provides. Scars from breast lift surgery are easily covered in a bra or bathing suit.
Is a breast lift “worth it?”
Many women find a breast lift to be “worth it” because it restores a more youthful, uplifted breast shape and boosts confidence. Satisfaction rates are generally high, especially when expectations are realistic and the procedure is tailored to each patient’s goals.
How long does a breast lift last?
The results of a breast lift can last 10 to 15 years or more, but this varies depending on factors like age, skin elasticity, weight fluctuations and lifestyle habits. While the breasts will continue to age naturally, most women enjoy long-lasting improvements in shape and firmness.
Contact us online using the “Message us” feature at the bottom of our website or you can call us at 251-929-7850 to learn more about our practice or to schedule your consultation.
Hot Topics in Breast Lift Surgery
- Can a Breast Lift Fix Uneven Breasts without Implants? Curious if a breast lift alone can correct asymmetry? We explain how lift-only options work, and when combining with implants might be the best way to get balanced, natural results.
- How to Hack Your Breast Lift Surgery Preparation: Get surgery-ready with our top pre-op “hacks” to help your breast lift go more smoothly and heal faster.
- Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation: How to Pick One or Both: Not sure whether a breast lift, breast augmentation or both is right for you? We break down how to choose based on your goals, natural anatomy and desired outcome.
- How to Tell If Your Mommy Makeover Should Include a Breast Lift: Considering a mommy makeover? We can help you determine if a breast lift should be part of your plan.
- 4 Simple Breast Lift Recovery Tips: Get some insider tips on how to make your breast lift recovery a breeze.
Written By: Dr. James Koehler
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Fairhope, AL, Dr. James Koehler earned his MD from the University of Alabama and completed several post-doctoral residencies, internships and fellowships. He returned to Alabama to be closer to family and serve patients in the local community with a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, breast and body.
More about Dr. James Koehler | Last Reviewed: October 14th, 2025
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