Breast Lift
Personalised breast lift surgery designed to reshape and elevate the breasts while working with your natural volume and proportions.
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that reshapes and elevates breasts that have descended or lost firmness over time.
Changes in breast position and shape may occur following pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, ageing or natural changes in skin and breast tissue.
During surgery, excess skin is removed, the breast tissue is reshaped and the nipple and areola are repositioned to suit the new breast contour. A breast lift primarily changes breast shape and position rather than significantly increasing or reducing breast volume.
Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess your breast anatomy, skin quality, nipple position, symmetry and treatment goals before recommending an individualised surgical plan.
What is a breast lift?
Is breast lift surgery right for me?
A breast lift may be considered if you have noticed:
breasts that sit lower or have lost their previous shape
nipples that point downward or sit lower on the breast
stretched or loose breast skin
reduced firmness following pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight change
differences in breast position or shape
breast descent despite being comfortable with your current volume
Suitability depends on your general health, breast anatomy, skin quality, expectations and whether you are considering future pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Some patients may be suited to a breast lift alone, while others may benefit from combining a lift with breast implants or fat grafting where lost volume is also a concern.
What a breast lift can change
Breast position
A breast lift raises and reshapes breast tissue that has descended, creating a higher breast position.
Nipple and areola position
The nipple and areola are repositioned to suit the reshaped breast. The size of the areola may also be reduced where appropriate.
Breast shape and symmetry
The procedure can improve breast contour and reduce differences in position or shape, although perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
Your breast lift journey
Every breast lift is planned around the patient’s existing breast tissue, skin quality and desired degree of change. Understanding the consultation, surgery and recovery process can help you feel more prepared and establish realistic expectations for your result
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Your consultation begins with a discussion about the changes you have noticed and what you would like surgery to achieve.
Dr Webster will assess your:
breast size and shape
degree of breast descent
nipple and areola position
skin quality and elasticity
breast symmetry
chest and body proportions
previous breast surgery
general breast health
Your medical history, medications, smoking status and factors that may affect healing will also be reviewed.
Dr Webster will explain the likely scar pattern and whether a breast lift alone is likely to meet your goals. Where loss of breast volume or upper-breast fullness is also a concern, implants or fat grafting may be discussed.
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Breast lift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital setting.
Excess skin is removed and the existing breast tissue is reshaped and elevated. The nipple and areola are moved to a position appropriate for the new breast contour while generally remaining attached to the underlying tissue and blood supply.
The incision pattern depends on the degree of breast descent and the amount of reshaping required. It may involve a scar around the areola, a vertical scar extending towards the breast fold and, in some cases, a horizontal scar within the fold.
A breast lift may also be combined with implants or fat grafting where additional volume is part of the treatment plan.
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Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are expected during the early stages of recovery. The breasts may initially sit higher and appear firmer before gradually softening and settling.
You will generally wear a supportive postoperative bra and avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and upper-body activity while healing.
Many patients plan approximately one to two weeks away from desk-based work, although this varies according to the procedure, occupation and individual recovery.
Breast shape will continue to change over the following weeks and months. Scars are permanent but generally soften and become less noticeable as they mature.
Why choose Dr Katie-Beth Webster?
As a specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides detailed assessment and individualised planning for breast lift surgery.
She will assess breast position, tissue quality, skin elasticity and symmetry before explaining which surgical approach is appropriate and whether a lift alone or a combined procedure should be considered.
Dr Webster will also discuss the anticipated scars, recovery, possible changes in sensation and the risks and limitations of surgery so you can make a properly informed decision.
Her focus is on evidence-based care, clear communication and developing a treatment plan appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
Considering Breast Lift surgery?
A consultation with Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides an opportunity to discuss the changes you have noticed, understand the available surgical options and receive advice tailored to your breast anatomy and goals.
Dr Katie-Beth Webster provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to every patient's individual journey. Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers breast lift consultations in Melbourne, with appointments available in Box Hill and East Melbourne.
Common questions about breast lift surgery
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A breast lift and breast augmentation address different concerns.
A breast lift reshapes and elevates existing breast tissue. It may be suitable when the main concern is breast descent, loose skin or a lower nipple position.
Breast augmentation primarily adds volume using implants. It may be more appropriate when the main concern is limited breast fullness and the breasts remain in a suitable position.
Some patients may benefit from combining a lift with implants to address both breast position and volume. Dr Webster will assess your breast tissue, skin quality and nipple position before recommending an approach.
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Yes. A breast lift can be performed using your existing breast tissue without implants.
This may be appropriate when you are comfortable with your current breast volume and primarily want to improve breast shape, position or nipple placement.
A breast lift does not usually create a significant increase in breast size or lasting upper-breast fullness. Where additional volume is an important goal, implants or fat grafting may be discussed.
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A breast lift primarily reshapes and elevates the breasts rather than intentionally reducing their size.
However, a small amount of skin and sometimes tissue is removed, and the breasts may appear slightly smaller because they are more compact and repositioned.
Where a meaningful reduction in breast size and weight is also desired, breast reduction surgery may be more appropriate.
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Potential risks include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, visible or widened scars, asymmetry and changes in breast or nipple sensation.
Other risks may include contour irregularity, fat necrosis, loss of skin or nipple tissue, recurrent breast descent and the need for further surgery.
Smoking and some medical conditions can increase the risk of healing complications. Dr Webster will discuss the risks relevant to your health, anatomy and proposed procedure. The current page already identifies scarring, asymmetry, altered sensation, healing issues, recurrent laxity and fat necrosis among the main considerations.
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The scar pattern depends on the degree of breast descent and the amount of skin that needs to be removed.
A smaller lift may involve a scar around the areola. More extensive lifting commonly requires a scar around the areola and vertically down to the breast fold. Some patients will also require a horizontal scar along the fold.
Scars are permanent, although they generally soften and fade over time. Their final appearance depends on individual healing, genetics, skin quality and scar care.
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Swelling, bruising and discomfort are usually most noticeable during the early recovery period.
Many patients can return to light daily activity and desk-based work within approximately one to two weeks. Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and upper-body training generally need to be avoided for longer.
The breasts continue to soften and settle over several months, and scars also take time to mature.
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Breast lift results are generally long-lasting, but surgery cannot stop future changes in the breasts.
Ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation and changes in skin elasticity may gradually affect breast shape and position.
Maintaining a relatively stable weight may help preserve the result, although some degree of recurrent laxity can develop over time. The current page appropriately identifies recurrent laxity as a consideration.
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Temporary changes in nipple or breast sensation are common after breast lift surgery.
Sensation may be reduced, heightened or altered while swelling settles and the tissues recover. For many patients this improves over time, but permanent changes or loss of sensation are possible.