Can a Breast Lift make my breasts more symmetrical?

Yes, Dr. Subbio can make your breasts more symmetrical during your Breast Lift surgery.

When can I return to work after a breast lift?

Most women go back to work within 1-2 weeks.

Can I sleep face down immediately after a breast lift?

Yes, but it’s better if you sleep on your back for the first couple of weeks.

Will Dr. Subbio help me decide if a Breast Lift is right for me?

Absolutely! During your consultation for a breast lift Philadelphia plastic surgeon, Dr. Subbio will examine you and determine if you are a good candidate for a breast lift.

Does Breast Lift surgery hurt?

You’ll be anesthetized during your surgery, so you’ll feel no pain. All surgeries involve some discomfort after the anesthesia wears off, though. We will give you pain medication to help you get through your recovery as easily as possible. Plus, you can text or call Dr. Subbio at any time with your questions!

How long does a breast lift take?

The surgery takes about 1-3 hours, depending upon the individual patient.

How long before I can exercise with a breast lift?

We ask that you refrain from strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks.

Will I be able to see the results of my breast lift right away?

Yes. The nipples and areolas often lose their shape as the breast tissue sags. Dr. Subbio can reshape your nipples during your Breast Lift so that they are a pleasing size and round shape.

What happens during a breast lift?

After the incisions are made, Dr. Subbio removes any excess, stretched skin. Then, he raises the patient’s breast tissue, including her nipples and areolas, to a higher position and reshapes the breasts, as necessary. He then closes the incisions with sutures.

Breast Lift

Philadelphia, PA

Introduction

What Is a Breast Lift?

Breast lift (mastopexy) surgery restores a round, youthful shape to breasts that have begun to sag. This procedure is ideal for women who want to improve the elevation of their breasts without making their breasts larger. Mastopexy can also be combined with breast augmentation surgery to enhance breast fullness while simultaneously making the breasts more pert and symmetrical.

As a trained artist, Dr. Subbio brings his innate sense of aesthetics to the operating table when performing a breast lift. He carefully personalizes every breast lift he performs, starting with an artist’s rendition depicting each patient’s projected results. This tailored approach ensures that patients get exactly the results they want, without the need for future revision surgeries.

After performing a breast lift Philadelphia plastic surgeon, Dr. Subbio takes the time to educate patients about the causes of breast ptosis (sagging), so they can maintain their results for many years. To learn more about how Dr. Subbio performs mastopexy at his Newtown Square, Philadelphia clinic, contact us to schedule a consultation.

Breast Lift Results

Breast Lift B&A

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How Do I Know If a Breast Lift Is Right for Me?

If you are dissatisfied with your breasts because they have begun to sag, change shape, or lose volume, a breast lift might be right for you. Signs that you could benefit from breast lift surgery include having nipples that point downwards (instead of straight ahead), having nipples that sit below your inframammary crease, or having breasts that appear flat or oblong in shape (rather than round).

Some women use the “pencil test” to assess whether or not they need a breast lift. To perform this test, place a pencil within the crease below each breast and raise your arms. If the pencil remains in place when your arms are elevated, you are probably suffering from breast ptosis.

A woman with long dark hair pulls it back, smiling softly. She's wearing a black sports bra against a light background. - Breast Lift in West Chester Pike Newton Square, PA

Breast Lift Candidates

The ideal breast lift candidate is a healthy nonsmoker who is done having children and who maintains a normal weight.

Future pregnancies and weight gain (or loss) can affect the results of breast lift surgery by creating additional loose skin. Women usually schedule breast lift surgery after having children, going through menopause, or losing a significant amount of weight. All of these physical changes have the potential to cause breast sagging by affecting the amount of fatty tissue present in the breasts.

What’s the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Implants?

A Breast Lift raises sagging breasts to a higher position on the body. The surgery can also correct misshapen nipples and asymmetrical breasts. The size of the breasts remains the same as before surgery, however. A breast augmentation can increase the size of the breasts. A combination of Breast lift with implants can deliver a “Push-up bra” look with upper pole fullness.

Breast Lift First Step

Dr. Subbio’s Breast Lift Techniques

At Subbio Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia, your breast lift begins with you. Dr. Subbio will meet with you to discuss your goals for the procedure and what you would like your final shape to be. As a trained artist, Dr. Subbio will help you envision that final shape. Then, the two of you will craft a customized surgery plan so that you have a clear path to that destination.

While each procedure is individualized to the patient, there are some general commonalities to breast lifts. In most breast lift procedures, Dr. Subbio lifts and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning remaining tissue and nipples. General anesthesia is used and the surgery itself is usually 3 to 4 hours. The incisions vary depending upon the patient.

Below are the most common types of incisions:

Anchor or Inverted-T Pattern

includes an incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision across the breast crease. This pattern is usually necessary for women who need a significant breast lift.

Lollipop Pattern

This includes an incision around the areola and a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. There is no horizontal incision under the crease. This is possible only for women who need a moderate breast lift.

The Periareolar Technique

Also called short-scar or donut lift, requires an incision around the areola only. This technique is only possible for women who have very mild sagging or sometimes for women who are also receiving breast implants.

What to Expect During Breast Lift Recovery

Most of our Philadelphia breast lift patients prefer general anesthesia, though in some cases, a breast lift can be performed using just a local anesthetic and sedation. In either case, please bring someone with you to drive you home after surgery. Mastopexy is an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to go home the same day as your surgery in most cases.

You can expect some swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness for a few weeks. We will provide a surgical bra for you to wear for a few weeks during the healing process. Tenderness will subside faster than the swelling, which may take a few months to resolve entirely. This is normal.

Your recovery time will largely depend on how your body heals, but most patients find they experience full recovery within six weeks of surgery. Dr. Subbio will provide you with a detailed recovery plan to make sure you know what to do to minimize your recovery time.

Down Time Chart

Off opioid pain meds: Immediately
Back to office/non-exertional work: 2-3 days
Back to Activity Work: 5 days
Back to Gym: 10 days
Back to lower body weights: 14 days
Back to upper body/weights/strength training: 6 weeks

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in Philadelphia?

The final cost for your breast lift depends largely on your situation and the outcome you want, including variables like the cost of implants should you want to do a breast lift and augmentation. These details will be presented to you in full during your consultation so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Dr. Subbio has financing options available to ensure that you don’t have to sacrifice your ideal results due to concerns about price. When it comes to your body, Dr. Subbio recommends that you decide where to have your surgery based on results — not bargains.

Breast Lift Results

Some of the changes created by breast lift surgery are permanent, but gravity can cause some additional sagging over a period of years. However, this sagging is typically minor compared to the amount of ptosis the patient experienced before surgery.

Most of our Philadelphia breast lift patients enjoy the results of their procedure for 10 years or more. However, gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight changes may cause new sagging. Results may last longer or be enhanced when breast implants are inserted as part of the procedure. Proper breast care will also extend the duration of your results.

There are a number of steps patients can take to ensure their breast lift results last a lifetime: Maintain a stable weight, do not smoke, avoid sun exposure, and wear a supportive bra when exercising. Smoking, UV radiation, and inadequate support all contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep the skin strong and firm. Protecting the collagen and elastin in your skin will slow down age-related breast sagging.

Breast Lift FAQ’S

Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia

Schedule a consultation

In our office, you will be treated like a part of our family. It’s a relaxing, pressure-free haven where you can feel comfortable to ask all of your questions. We think you’ll sense immediately that we care as much about your safety and your beautiful results as you do. Contact us today for a consultation, and find out why Dr. Subbio has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and skilled plastic surgeons in Philadelphia.