Breast Uplift FAQs

We are very aware of the non-surgical breast lift treatments on offer. Whilst they do boast a great list of benefits, there is little evidence to show that the results are as good as, or as long-lasting as those that you may achieve with breast uplift surgery.

Saggy or sagging breasts, also known as breast ptosis can be caused by a variety of factors.

• Ageing & Reduction in skin laxity breast tissue
• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy
• Weight gain or loss
• Menopause

As we age our skin loses its natural elasticity which causes it to look saggy or wrinkled which results in sagging mature breasts. However, the age at which breasts begin to sag can be different from person to person and it is not uncommon for a younger 20-year-old to experience breast sagging.

Larger breasts are also more prone to sagging as they have a higher breast mass which is more susceptible to the effects of gravity.

There is no evidence to suggest that not wearing a bra or breastfeeding causes sagging breasts but pregnancy or multiple pregnancies can contribute to breast ptosis.

• Does one of my breasts droop lower than the other?

• Do my breasts have a long shape?

• Do my areolas or nipples point downwards?

• Do my nipples drop lower than my breast crease?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions then you may be suitable for a mastopexy but the best way to find out is to book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons.

It is not essential that you have breast implants with a breast uplift procedure and the majority of procedures are performed without this combined procedure. A breast implant will make your bust larger so unless this is what you want to achieve from surgery then a breast implant would not be required. You can find out more about Breast Lift with Enlargement here.

Following the procedure, you will need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Once you have returned home, depending on your age and general fitness, you will need to rest for two to six weeks. We recommend that you take at least 2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous exercise for at least 6 weeks.

Swelling and localised discomfort will subside within a few weeks, but you will need to wear a support bra, with no under-wire, for at least 6 weeks.

Scars are usually quite red for the first six weeks after surgery. They then change to a purple colour over the next three months before fading.

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and performs over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest patients satisfaction in the sector, TrustPilot 9.4, 5-star rating and 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. We are a multi-award winning provider and have been voted the Aesthetic award for Best UK Clinic Group 2017.

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly results. We are above all committed to quality. Please feel free to contact us for any advice or to book a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

The cost of a Breast Uplift can be part of your decision to undergo the procedure but it should not be the deciding factor. For more information about The Private Clinic, our experience and medical expertise click here.

The cost of a Breast Uplift is approximately £7500. All prices are quoted on a case-by-case basis and you will be provided with a more accurate quote following your consultation.

Consultations with our breast surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton clinics.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place. These are available in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

Please note all consultations available at at our London Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an expert breast surgeon located near to you.

Our clinics are in;

London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ

Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT

Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands

Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire

Buckinghamshire – Virtual Consultations Only

Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

It will be possible to go bra-less after a breast uplift however we do advise that this is for short periods only. If breast droop was an issue before your surgery then you are often more prone to this happening again, the more you wear a bra the less risk you have of breast drooping or sagging occurring again prematurely.

There are risks associated with all surgical procedures and these will be fully discussed at your post-op appointments.

Risks that are specific to breast uplift procedures can include; breast asymmetry, undesirable scarring, change in breast/nipple sensation and recurrence of breast droop.

A mastopexy is the surgical name for a breast uplift procedure. A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure, where excess skin is removed so that the remaining skin can be tightened and the nipple moved to a higher position, resulting in a firmer appearance.

At your breast uplift/mastopexy consultation you will meet with your surgeon and discuss the procedure. Your surgeon will then assess your suitability for the procedure by examining you. At this stage they will be able to go through the best procedure plans to ensure that you achieve the results that you are asking for. Your surgeon will also go through any concerns of surgery that you may have and cover all of the risks. You will then meet with a patient coordinator who will be able to provide you with a quote and information to take away about the procedure.

A breast reduction is performed under general anaesthetic.

An incision will be made on the breast and any excess skin will be removed. The skin and surrounding tissue will then be tightened and your nipple moved to a higher position. The incision is then closed and bandages applied.

A breast lift procedure is designed to lift the breasts to higher position but in some cases it can involve removing a small amount of excess skin. When skin is removed, this can cause the breast to appear smaller. If you are looking to reduce the size of your breasts then a breast reduction would be more suited as the amount of size lost during an uplift procedure is minimal.

It is possible to have breast implants at the same time as a breast lift procedure however many surgeons have found performing the procedures in separate stages often provides better results. 2 Stage procedures are becoming increasingly popular and it allows the incisions of a breast uplift to heal without the added pressure of an implant stretching them. It also allows the patient to choose an implant more accurately based on the new appearance of their bust. In some cases the procedure is still performed at the same time but this decision will be down to your surgeon’s preferences.

Breast asymmetry is actually very common with the majority of women having one breast slightly larger than the other. In some cases however breast asymmetry can be a little more severe causing distress to the patient. A breast uplift procedure can help to correct asymmetry but it can’t be guaranteed. In some cases the breast asymmetry may be caused by asymmetry in the chest wall rather than the breast itself which unfortunately can’t be corrected with a breast uplift procedure. Breast asymmetry can be discussed with your surgeon at your consultation which will enable them to create a personalised treatment plan.

The Private Clinic is experienced in both minimally invasive and surgical breast reduction and uplift procedures, so you will have the chance to discuss alternative procedures with a surgeon who is familiar with all techniques. We take the hard work out of choosing your surgeon because we only work with doctors who lead their field and have performed hundreds of successful procedures.

This will depend on what your desired result is.

A breast uplift is designed to uplift the breast resulting in a higher, tighter and more uplifted appearance.

If you are looking to increase the size of the breast, whilst a breast uplift may change your bra size slightly – an increase in size is not guaranteed.

Some patients may need breast implants to achieve the full look and feel they want. However, many patients just need the support and results that a breast uplift procedure provides.

For more information about Breast Lift with Implants click here.

Breast uplift/mastopexy procedures are performed under general anaesthetic. You will not feel anything during the procedure. Local anaesthetic is often used at the end of the procedure to help ensure that the patient wakes up with minimal pain.

Each patient responds differently to breast uplift procedures, overall any pain or discomfort can be managed by pain medication supplied by your surgeon.

Any pain and discomfort should not last long and dissipate quickly for most patients.

There are 3 types of incision techniques associated with a breast uplift procedure.

• Periareolar incision – This runs around the outer edge of the areola.
• Lollipop incision – An incision around the areola and down the breast to the inframammary fold.
• Anchor incision – An incision line will run around the areola, down the breast and then along the inframammary fold.

Periareolar incisions are not commonly used anymore as they tend to stretch over time and distort the appearance of the areola. Lollipop incisions also known as a vertical lift are the most popular type allowing the surgeon to lift the nipple and reshape the breast in the most effective way. An anchor scar is only really used if the patient has too much skin for a vertical lift.

Your scar will initially appear red but will eventually start to fade as you heal. Your surgeon will give you scar care advice to help you achieve the best results.

Swelling after a breast uplift procedure usually starts to go down a week post-procedure. It may seem that the majority of the swelling is gone after a month, but it can actually take up to a year for all swelling to reduce but the effects of it as this stage are often not noticed.

Every patient heals differently; bruising can appear but after around 10 days it tends to have all faded out.

It is usually advised that your surgical bra is worn day and night for 6 weeks post-op however your surgeons’ advice may vary depending on their preferences and how you are healing. You will be able to return to wearing underwire bras after 6 weeks when given the go-ahead by your surgeon.

Although great care is taken during the procedure, sometimes the milk ducts can be cut which will make breast feeding after breast uplift surgery a challenge. If you are concerned about breast feeding post-procedure then we recommend you speak to your surgeon.

A breast uplift is a permanent procedure and your breasts will remain in their new lifted position for a long time. Things that can affect the results include weight gain, pregnancy and ageing.

A breast lift will never be able to give you a high, round or fake appearance to the bust. The procedure is using your natural breast tissue to reshape the breast. Your breasts will appear lifted and shapelier but not ‘fake’.

A breast lift generally does not have much of an effect on a mammogram screening procedure. If you have had a mammogram previously that took place before your breast uplift procedure then your images taken before may not be helpful to compare future mammograms against. We suggest that you speak to your doctor and book in for a mammogram around 6 months after your breast uplift procedure to create a new baseline mammogram image to work from in the future allowing them to identify change. The actual mammogram procedure can take place as normal.

We advise that you avoid driving until the anaesthetic has cleared from your system and you are off any pain medication. You should also only drive if you feel comfortable to do so and have full movement without any restrictions. Generally we recommend waiting 1-2 weeks and then getting the go-ahead from your surgeon at your post-op appointment. Driving too soon after a surgical procedure could void your insurance so please check before getting behind the wheel again.

Short-haul flights can be taken 2 weeks after your procedure but long-haul flights will need to be avoided for 4-6 weeks. We recommend speaking about any travel plans with your surgeon before booking your procedure to ensure you are healed in time.

Everyone heals differently so the time you will need to stay off work varies between patients. Most patients return to work 1-2 weeks post-procedure as long as their job role does not involve heavy lifting or stretching.

Exercise should ideally be avoided for 6 weeks however we recommend that you stay active by taking regular walks during the recovery process. Upper arm exercises and swimming can begin after four to six weeks. Always wear a good quality sports bra when exercising.

We recommend that you organise help with childcare for at least the first week after your breast lift procedure. At your 2 week appointment, check with your surgeon to get their advice as they will be able to assess how you are healing. When you start to lift your child again, be sure to lift with your knees, ensure the child is not moving around excessively, do not hold for excessive periods of time and if it hurts or starts to hurt – stop immediately.