Types of Breast Lifts

It’s common for breasts to change over time. You might experience a change in shape or firmness after pregnancy, breastfeeding, gaining or losing weight, or just from gravity over time. Many women consider breast lift surgery to improve the contour and firmness of their breasts. If you are considering having more children, it’s important to wait until you are done having children before having a breast lift surgery, as further pregnancies and nursing will cause your breasts to change shape again.

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, involves removing excess skin and tightening or reshaping the surrounding tissue to improve the breast profile. It may also be combined with breast augmentation to increase the size of the breasts.¹

Types of Breast Lifts

There are many types of breast lifts, and your plastic surgeon will help you determine the appropriate surgery for you based on your body type and goals. After assessing what would be the best fit for you, taking into account the degree of loss of firmness and shape in your breasts and your goals for your final result, your surgeon will recommend one of the following techniques:

Crescent Breast Lift

If you are experiencing minor loss of firmness and are not seeking to reshape your breasts drastically, this might be the right option. It requires a single incision along the top edge of the areola, and the scar will be minimal in the areola’s darker pigment. The end result is a subtle lift and improvement in firmness.²

Peri-Areolar Breast Lift

This technique also results in a single scar and involves a circular incision, which surrounds the entire outer edge of the areola. Your doctor might recommend this option if you have minimal sagging and are seeking a subtle lift, slightly more intensive than a crescent breast lift.³

Vertical Breast Lift

This type of breast lift will benefit women with a medium range of sagging who seek more reshaping of the breasts. This procedure involves two incisions: a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision to the natural breast crease. The final result will be a more dramatic lift and reshaping of the breasts.⁴

Anchor Breast Lift

The most intensive option requires three incisions shaped like an anchor and will reshape the breasts as well as improve drastic sagging. It will also be the most expensive option.⁵

Breast Lift Cost Breakdown

The average cost of breast lift surgery is $5,012, according to a 2020 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.⁶ However, this does not account for the added costs of anesthesia, operating room fees, and other expenses. The total cost will vary based on your plastic surgeon’s experience and physical location, and which procedure is used. A breast lift on smaller breasts or with a lower degree of sagging — for example, a crescent breast lift or a peri-areolar breast lift — is less intensive and will have a lower cost. 

Some costs to consider that will affect the total cost of your breast lift surgery include:

• Anesthesia
• Operating room fees
• Medical tests
• Post-surgery garments, such as a surgical bra
• Prescriptions
• Surgeon’s fee

The anesthesia fee could run from $1,000 to $1,500, and the hospital or facility fee could be anything from $500 to $1,500. You should also expect to pay a few hundred dollars on prescriptions that you will need post-surgery, as well as specific surgical bras and support bras that you will need to recover safely. 

Your plastic surgeon will be able to provide a more accurate quote for your personal needs after a consultation. During the consultation, your surgeon may assess your general health status and any pre-existing conditions, evaluate your breasts by taking detailed measurements and assessing the quality of your skin, take photographs, and discuss your treatment options.

Insurance

Typically, health insurance plans will not cover the breast lift price or any possible complications that may result. You will need to check with your specific insurance plan, but commonly this is not the case. However, many plastic surgeons offer payment plans to their patients to help make the cost more manageable, so check with your surgeon’s office.

Ways to Reduce Costs

Breast lift surgery costs can run higher than expected, but there are ways to reduce the total amount.

For example, combining procedures can help to save you money on anesthesia and hospital or facility fees, as you will only need to pay for them once. If you are considering breast augmentation and a breast lift, it could be worth asking your plastic surgeon to do them at the same time.

Plastic surgeons will also offer different prices, so you can search for the best option for you. When searching for a surgeon, always look for board-certified surgeons with a lot of experience in breast surgeries and qualifications instead of solely looking for the lowest price. Patient testimonials and reviews are also good places to research your plastic surgeon.

Another option to consider in reducing the total breast lift cost is surgeons offering discounts to patients who provide testimonials or agree to have their photos used as before and after examples.⁷

Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lift surgery costs will vary from patient to patient, so it is important to do your research and find the best option for you. Always speak to your doctor regarding any questions about the procedure that you might have. My Body Treatment can help you find resources about plastic surgery, fat reduction, muscle toning machines, and more body-related topics.

SOURCES:

1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons: ” Breast Lift.”
2. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: ” Breast Lift Guide.”
3. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: ” Breast Lift Guide.”
4. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: ” Breast Lift Guide.”
5. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: ” Breast Lift Guide.”
6. Plastic Surgery Statistics Report 2020: ” Average Surgeon/Physician Fees.”7. Cost Helper Health: ” Breast Lift Cost.“