WHAT A BREAST LIFT DOES
Mastopexy surgery is designed for breasts that sit lower than you would like or have lost their shape. It does not make the breasts significantly bigger. Instead, it reshapes the tissue you already have and moves it higher on the chest.
You may be a good candidate for a breast lift if:
- Your breasts sit lower than you would like because of pregnancy, age, or genetics
- The skin around your nipple or areola has become stretched
- Your nipples point downward or sit below the breast crease
- One breast sits noticeably lower than the other
- Breast implants alone cannot give you the result you want
During the procedure, you are placed under a general anesthetic. Your surgeon removes excess skin and tissue, repositions the breast higher on the chest, and moves the nipple and areola to a more natural position, reducing the size of the areola if it has stretched. Results are visible right away, and the shape continues to improve as swelling settles and the incision lines heal. Some patients describe the procedure as a mastopexy lift, but it is the same operation.
BREAST LIFT SCARS: WHAT TO EXPECT
Every breast lift leaves scars, and the pattern depends on how much skin needs to be removed and how far the breast needs to be raised. Incisions are generally made around the areola, down the lower part of the breast, and sometimes along the breast crease.
The three most common incision patterns:
- Periareolar (donut lift): an incision around the edge of the areola only, used for mild sagging or to reduce a stretched areola
- Vertical (lollipop lift): around the areola and straight down to the breast crease, used for moderate sagging
- Inverted T (anchor lift): around the areola, down the breast, and along the crease, used for more significant sagging or extra skin
The goal is to use the shortest incision that will still give a lasting lift. A smaller scar on breasts that cannot hold their new position is not a good trade, so your surgeon will recommend the pattern that suits your tissue.
Scars are usually red or pink at first and fade gradually over 12 to 18 months. Most sit where a bra or bikini top covers them. Not smoking, protecting the scars from the sun, and following your aftercare instructions all help them heal as well as possible. For more tips, see our guide on how to minimize scarring after breast surgery.
BREAST LIFT RECOVERY
Breast lift recovery is usually manageable with good planning. You can expect some discomfort for a short while after surgery, along with swelling and tightness that ease over the following weeks. Dr. Ladak monitors your progress closely and gives you detailed instructions for caring for your incisions.
What recovery typically involves:
- Dressings or bandages over the incisions immediately after surgery
- A support bra worn day and night to reduce swelling and support healing
- Rest for the first few days, with help at home if possible
- A return to desk work for many patients within about one to two weeks
- Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks
- Gradual softening and settling of the breast shape over the following months
Your final result becomes clearer as swelling resolves. Keeping a stable weight afterward helps maintain the lift, while future pregnancies, major weight changes, and normal aging can affect breast shape again over time.
CAN YOU BREASTFEED AFTER A BREAST LIFT?
Can you breastfeed after a breast lift? Many women can, because in most lift techniques the nipple stays connected to the underlying breast tissue and milk ducts while it is repositioned. Breastfeeding ability cannot be guaranteed after any breast surgery, though, and how much tissue is moved can make a difference.
If you plan to have children, raise it during your consultation. Many surgeons also suggest waiting until you are finished having children before a lift, because pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast shape again and reduce how long your results last.
BREAST LIFT AND AUGMENTATION: WHEN TO COMBINE THEM
A breast lift restores position and shape, while implants add volume. If your breasts have lost fullness, especially in the upper portion, a breast lift and augmentation together may give a better result than either on its own.
An augmentation mastopexy combines both procedures in one surgery: the lift raises the breast, and saline or silicone implants restore size and fullness. It is often recommended when:
- Your breasts have drooped after pregnancy, weight loss, or age
- Your breasts are noticeably asymmetrical
- Your nipples are overstretched from breastfeeding
- Your breasts are smaller and sit lower than you would like
The extent of surgery depends on each individual case, and Dr. Ladak will advise which option suits you best during your consultation.
WHAT AFFECTS BREAST LIFT COST IN EDMONTON
Breast lift cost varies because every surgery is planned around a different body. The main factors include:
- The incision pattern and the complexity of the lift
- Whether implants are added as part of an augmentation mastopexy
- Anesthesia and surgical facility fees
- Support garments, medications, and follow-up care
Because a breast lift is a cosmetic procedure, it is generally not covered by Alberta Health. To make surgery more manageable, Alberta Plastic Surgery offers financing through Medicard, which pays the clinic up front and lets you repay in monthly instalments.
At Alberta Plastic Surgery, Dr. Adil Ladak is a board-certified plastic surgeon who earned his medical degree at the University of Alberta and completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic and the University of British Columbia. He helps patients across Edmonton and Alberta choose the lift technique and combination of procedures that fit their goals. You can view real patient results in the before and after gallery, then book a consultation to find out which approach is right for you.
FAQs
Q: How much is a breast lift in Alberta?
A: Breast lift cost in Alberta depends on the incision pattern, how complex the lift is, whether implants are added, and anesthesia and facility fees. Because every plan is personalized, Alberta Plastic Surgery confirms pricing after your consultation. Financing through Medicard is available for patients who prefer monthly payments.
Q: How long do breast lift results last?
A: Breast lift results are long lasting, but they are not permanent. Aging, gravity, pregnancy, and weight changes can gradually affect breast shape over the years. Keeping a stable weight, wearing supportive bras, and waiting until you are done having children before surgery all help your results last longer.
Q: Will a breast lift make my breasts smaller or bigger?
A: A breast lift on its own does not add volume. Your breasts may look slightly smaller or more compact because excess skin is removed and the tissue is reshaped. If you want more fullness as well as a lift, an augmentation mastopexy combines the lift with saline or silicone implants.
