Post-Weight Loss Breast Lift

A post-weight loss breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure designed to reshape and lift the breasts for patients who experience significant sagging after significant weight loss. Breast lifts are one of the most popular procedures in the United States and one of the most performed chest/torso cosmetic procedures with over 140,000 procedures being performed in the year of 2022 alone. The amount of breast lifts performed since 2000 has increased by 70% since 2000 ⁽¹⁾ and has increased 30% since 2019. ⁽²⁾

At The Everett Clinic, Dr. Marc Everett is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has extensive experience helping weight loss patients complete their weight loss journey with personalized body contouring procedures like the breast lift.

To schedule a consultation in either Manhattan or Queens, call (212) 774-7715.

About Post-Weight Loss Breast Lifts

A breast lift is a procedure designed to help reduce the ptosis, or sagginess, of one’s breasts. Breast ptosis is when the the skin and tissue of the breasts loses its elasticity and changes in shape with the position of the areola also shifting. Breast ptosis is a common occurrence and can be caused by:

The nipple-areolar complex should be the most pronounced, projected point of the breast. In breasts with ptosis, the nipple has often shifted to a lower point on the breast or even sits at the bottom of the breast, pointing downward. ³ Breast lift procedures focus on correcting these issues by removing excess skin underneath and around the breast to create the desired effect.

There are three main types of incisions in a breast lift:

Each type of incision is designed with a specific goal and purpose. The periareolar breast lift is designed to minimize scarring and shorten the duration of the surgery. The vertical breast lift is a more extensive procedure designed to raise the nipple and is a good option to treat significant ptosis. The anchor style breast lift is ideal for those with more severe ptosis and weaker skin.¹ No matter your goal, Dr. Everett will choose the best method for you based on your needs.

Internal Bra with Absorbable Mesh

After weight loss, the skin of the breasts often loses much of its elasticity. To account for this, Dr. Everett can provide the breasts with internal support with an “internal bra” made out of absorbable mesh. During the surgery, Dr. Everett will place this supportive material in the breasts, which will be naturally replaced by the body’s own tissue over time to provide prolonged support. This internal support will minimize the descent of the breasts after surgery and enhance lift results.

Benefits

A breast lift can help:

Ideal Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a breast lift if you suffer from breast ptosis, downturned nipples or are unhappy with the shape or look of your breasts. No matter the concern, Dr. Everett can help you navigate the best possible path to achieve your desired look.

All candidates should be fit and in good health to undergo surgery. If you have undergone a substantial shift in weight, please ensure you have reached a stable, maintainable weight prior to your procedure. Dr. Everett will tailor the repositioning to suit your needs.

Personal Consultation

Each patient is required to schedule and attend a personal consultation at The Everett Clinic. During your personal consultation, Dr. Everett will meet with you to discuss your concerns and goals. He will then perform a physical examination to ensure you are healthy, and a breast examination to measure the surgical area for treatment. Patients may also need to undergo lab tests to ensure they are eligible for surgery. After reviewing your medical history and listening to your journey, he will be able to recommend the best procedure for your goals.

During this time, Dr. Everett will go over the personalized details of your breast lift, including preparation and recovery time. We value transparency at The Everett Clinic; it is important to address all questions and concerns during this time as we want to make sure our patients are fully informed before their procedure. After your consultation, a member of our team will help you schedule your breast lift as well as any follow up meetings.

To schedule a consultation in either Manhattan or Queens, call (212) 774-7715.

Preparation

Candidates for breast lift surgery should ensure that they are in good health prior to the procedure and maintain good nutrition. Candidates who use either nicotine or tobacco products should be prepared to quit smoking before your procedure and refrain from nicotine or tobacco until the end of your recovery period. Smoking nicotine or tobacco can lead to complications and can slow the recovery process.

Prior to your procedure, please ensure you do the following:

Dr. Everett will provide you with specific instructions tailored to your procedure at your personal consultation, ensuring the highest degree of care. Please ensure you follow any and all directions given to you at your personal consultation for the best results and recovery.

Procedure

Dr. Everett begins the breast lift procedure by making guiding markings that will allow him to make the most precise adjustments possible. Dr. Everett utilizes both general anesthesia and regional anesthesia in order to ensure a more comfortable procedure. His advanced techniques also serve to reduce discomfort during the recovery period. Most of his patients require little, if any, pain medication after surgery.

Because the post-weight loss breast lift is designed for patients who have a significant amount of excess tissue and breast ptosis, Dr. Everett will typically use the anchor incision to facilitate this kind of treatment. During this technique, he makes a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the crease under the breast, also known as the inframammary fold.

If necessary, Dr. Everett can also reshape or reposition the nipple while maintaining its attachment to the underlying breast tissue.

Dr. Everett then removes excess tissue from around the breasts to create a lifted look. He can also reposition breast tissue around the areola to provide you with results that are in line with your desired outcome. After Dr. Everett closes the incisions, the breasts will appear firmer, and more uplifted. (⁴) You will receive a compression garment to help aid the recovery process.

The average procedure time can range between 90 to 130 minutes, however this varies based on the procedure that’s right for you. During your personal consultation, Dr. Everett will go over each detail with you, including how long you can expect your procedure to take. At The Everett Clinic, we can assure you that any and all details regarding your breast lift will be addressed at your personal consultation.

To schedule a consultation in either Manhattan or Queens, call (212) 774-7715.

Recovery

Dr. Everett uses the latest techniques for breast reshaping in order to help you achieve your desired body with the smoothest recovery possible. After a breast lift, it is essential to follow all steps and directions given to you by Dr. Everett to ensure the best outcome possible.

While the recovery period can vary from patient to patient, most patients at The Everett Clinic have found they can return to simple tasks and non strenuous activities within two weeks, with Dr. Everett’s approval, and full activities after about four weeks. During the recovery period, it is essential to take all necessary medications, stay hydrated, and to avoid strenuous exercises and activities.

Results

Patients can start to see results immediately following the procedure with firmer, lifted breasts. Further results will be seen as you recover from your procedure and your chest heals and settles into its new position. You may notice a difference in the way your clothes fit and the cup size of your bra may or may not change. Dr. Everett’s results are long lasting, utilizing the most trusted methods to meet client expectations

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Many patients choose to undergo another breast or after weight loss body contouring procedure alongside their breast lift to achieve their desired effect.

Breast Augmentation

For patients interested in adding volume and structure to their breast lift, a breast augmentation would be an effective addition to your procedure. Patients would have the option of having silicone implants placed either above or below the pectoral muscle. Dr. Everett can also increase breast volume through the use of fat grafting. This is a method of augmentation where Dr. Everett would take fat from a different part of your body and inject it into the breasts to create a fuller shape.

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction would be an ideal addition for patients looking to reduce their breast size alongside lifting them. This procedure is ideal for those with oversized breasts that cause back, neck, and/or shoulder pain. Reducing the size of the breasts alongside a breast lift can further contour the figure and help patients achieve their goals after weight loss.

Learn more about other types of breast procedures on Dr. Everett’s blog.

Cost of a Post-Weight Loss Breast Lift in New York

Breast lift procedures are catered specifically to the patient’s cosmetic needs. Your overall cost may look different compared to someone else getting the same surgery. Dr. Everett provides an estimated cost and procedure plan during your private consultation with us. To schedule yours today, call our Manhattan or Queens, NY office at (212) 774-7715.

References

1. Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Procedural Statistics Data Insights Partners: 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2022/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2022.pdf
3. Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/
4. Abdelkader R, Malahias M, Naguib I, Abdelghani S, Raafat S. Mastopexy: with or without Acellular Dermal Matrix? Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(4):e3952. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003952
5. Cinclair R, Aly A, Kenkel J. Two Surgeons’ Approaches to the Upper Body Lift: A Video Discussion. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2022;4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojac058