1. Are the results from a breast lift permanent?

A breast lift results in improvement in nipple and breast position and has long lasting results in most cases. Good breast support along with a healthy lifestyle that avoids significant weight change will improve the chances for a lasting result. Patients with large breasts can improve their long term results by undergoing a breast reduction to off- load tension on the skin envelope.


2. Why would I want a breast lift?

The ideal patient for a breast lift is one who has droopy breasts with significant skin excess and who is content with their current breast size. Patients should balance their concerns for breast shape and position with the possibility of a significant scar in the central breast and perhaps even the breast fold.


3. What should I expect during breast lift surgery?

How a breast lift is performed depends on the amount of skin excess, size of the breast, and specific concerns and wishes of the patient. Some patients elect to undergo breast augmentation to increase the size of the breast at the same time as the breast lift. A breast lift should never be a cookbook operation, and the goal is always to minimize the scar and maximize the cosmetic result and longevity. The length, cost, and recovery of a breast lift depends on the patient’s breast and surgery chosen by the patient.


4. Where will the surgery most likely take place?

Breast lifts are usually performed as out-patient surgical procedures. Patients are allowed to recover and then typically go home the same day. I perform breast lifts at a certified facility that provides the best care and equipment based on the patient s medical needs.


5. When can I return to work and strenuous activity?

Patients who undergo standard breast lift surgery usually return to work by the second week as long as their job does not require strenuous activity. We ask patients in most cases to avoid exercise for two weeks and impact exercising for two months.


6. Will I require any blood transfusions during breast lift surgery?

Most patients do not require blood transfusion for standard breast lifts.


7. Is it possible to have my insurance cover my breast lift surgery?

A breast lift by definition is a cosmetic operation not covered by insurance. A breast lift typically does not include reduction of a significant amount of breast tissue. A patient with large breasts and clinical symptoms may be candidate for breast reduction. Health insurance will usually pay for a breast reduction in patients who meet the medically indicated criteria defined by the insurance company not the physician. In most cases, insurance companies require pre-approval for breast reductions and some companies exclude coverage for breast reductions altogether. Insurance companies usually require patients to have a referral from their primary care physician, documented symptoms, medical photographs, and stable weight prior to pre-approving a breast reduction.