What is a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery, also called 
mastopexy, removes and tightens excess tissue to raise sagging breasts. Breast sagging is of the most common concerns treated by plastic surgeons, according to a University of Kentucky study on breast ptosis. The procedure also repositions the areolas, and may involve areola and nipple reduction.
The procedure is often combined with breast augmentation procedures like breast implants or a breast fat transfer, to restore lost breast volume, or with a breast reduction.
Pros and Cons of Breast Lift
Pros
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This is a good option for women whose breast skin and areolas have stretched, a common side effect of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
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Downtime after breast lift surgery is typically just five days, and most patients need only over-the-counter pain medication.
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The complication rate with breast lifts is relatively low, compared with other major surgical procedures.
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The procedure can make asymmetrical breasts look more similar.
Cons
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Breast lift surgery alone won’t significantly change the size of your breasts. You’d need to combine it with either breast reduction surgery or augmentation to do that.
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You’ll have scars from the incisions, but they should fade over a year or two so they become less noticeable. In rare cases, poor healing can lead to prominent scars, though they can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits.
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Any significant weight fluctuations (gain or loss) can change the size, shape, and perkiness of your breasts, so you’ll have to maintain your weight to keep up your results.
How does a breast lift work?
A breast lift can be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, so you’d be completely numb and asleep.
Your surgeon will use one of the breast lift techniques described above. As they lift your breasts higher on the chest wall and reshape the tissue, they’ll layer sutures to support the deep tissue and create your new breast contour. In most cases, they’ll raise your nipple position and may reduce the size of your areolas.
Then they’ll remove any excess skin before closing the incisions with stitches, tissue adhesive, or surgical tape. The surgery typically takes two to three hours, and you should be able to go home the same day. You’ll be groggy from the anesthesia, so make sure you have someone to drive you home.
