A breast lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the position of the breasts on the chest wall, restoring a perkier and more uplifted appearance. Over time, the appearance of the breasts can change due to factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, major weight loss, or simply the aging process. These changes can cause the breasts to sag or appear deflated, or cause the nipples to become malpositioned or point downward.
Dr. Joseph Michaels can perform a breast lift to help eliminate excess tissue and revitalize your breasts. Dr. Michaels is a board-certified plastic surgeon dedicated to helping his patients achieve stunning results. With decades of experience, he has become a leading expert in his field and is actively involved in both clinical and basic science research.
To get started, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Michaels online or call the office closest to you:
- Rockville, Maryland: (301) 468-5991
- Fairfax, Virginia: (703) 957-8610
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Breast Lifts
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, removes excess skin and tightens the tissues to reshape and reposition your breasts without significantly altering volume. (1) During the procedure, Dr. Michaels can also reposition and reshape the nipples and areolas to achieve more balanced, natural-looking results. Breast lifts are one of the most widely performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the country, with more than 153,000 performed in 2024 alone. (2)
What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
Breast lifts provide several notable benefits, some of which include:
- Enhanced Aesthetic Appearance: A breast lift can help you achieve more youthful-looking breasts by eliminating excess skin and sagging tissue.
- Better Fitting Clothing: Lifting the breasts can improve the appearance and fit of certain garments, allowing you to wear styles you may have previously felt uncomfortable in.
- Improved Confidence: Many patients report an improvement in their self-esteem and body confidence after a breast lift.
- Repositioned Nipples: Dr. Michaels can reposition or reshape the nipple-areolar complex to provide more cohesive results.
- Lasting Results: When paired with healthy lifestyle habits, the results of a breast lift can last for several years.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Candidates for breast lifts typically include women interested in improving the appearance and position of their breasts without significantly altering volume. Patients experiencing sagging breast tissue due to the effects of pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations are often suitable candidates for this procedure.
Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good general health and have realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can achieve. Patients should also be nonsmokers or at least willing to quit using nicotine products. It is also important that women have completed planning their families, as subsequent pregnancy or breastfeeding can affect the results of the procedure. Dr. Michaels will determine each patient’s eligibility during their consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will inquire about your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals. He will also discuss what a breast lift entails and evaluate your breasts.
Using these details, Dr. Michaels will determine your candidacy for a breast lift and develop your treatment plan.
This consultation serves as a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about breast lifts or plastic surgery in general. We want you to leave feeling empowered and well-informed about your procedure!
If you are ready to schedule your consultation, please fill out our online consultation form or call the office nearest you:
- Rockville, Maryland: (301) 468-5991
- Fairfax, Virginia: (703) 957-8610
We are proud to serve the greater DMV area, including:
- Northern Virginia (NoVa)
- Chantilly
- Centreville
- D.C.
- Loudoun County
- Fairfax
- Alexandria
- Arlington
- Silver Spring
- Wheaton
- Springfield
- McLean
- Reston
- Falls Church
- Rockville
- Bethesda
- Woodbridge
How Should I Prepare?
During your consultation, you will receive a set of tailored pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your breast lift. These instructions will vary between patients, but following them closely will ensure a smooth procedure and stunning results. Guidelines often include:
- Stop smoking and avoid nicotine products as early as possible.
- Refrain from taking medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
- Take time off from work and other commitments to allow for proper recovery.
- Arrange transportation home after your procedure.
- Organize at-home care for the first 24 hours following your surgery.
- Undergo a mammogram if you have a personal or family history of breast disease.
Procedure
Dr. Michaels performs this procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. After preparing the treatment area, Dr. Michaels will make the necessary incisions. The incision technique used will be predetermined during your personal consultation. These incision placements include:
- Periareolar Incision: The periareolar approach includes an incision around the areola. This approach hides any scarring within the natural pigmentation of the areolas and is an ideal technique if you are correcting more minor concerns.
- Vertical Incision: Also known as the lollipop incision, this technique places an incision around the perimeter of the areola and a second incision extending downward towards the breast crease. This allows Dr. Michaels to remove more excess tissue, tighten the underlying tissues, and elevate the nipples.
- Anchor Incision: This technique builds off of the vertical incision, adding a third incision that extends along the breast crease horizontally. This technique is effective for addressing more severe breast ptosis. (3)
Recovery
After your procedure, you can expect to experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness around your breasts. These effects will gradually subside on their own, but may also be managed using pain medications prescribed by Dr. Michaels. During this time, you will be wearing a surgical bra consistently to minimize swelling and help maintain your new contours as you heal.
You may be able to return to your job after approximately one to two weeks, but you will need to avoid engaging in strenuous tasks or physical activities for another several weeks. Dr. Michaels will let you know when you can return to your routine as you attend regular follow-up appointments. We will provide additional, more detailed recovery instructions during your consultation.
Results
You may be able to notice initial improvements immediately after your procedure, but the full results of your breast lift will become more apparent after you achieve a complete recovery. The breasts may appear as if they have been positioned too high, but they will slowly settle into a more natural placement on the chest as you recover. You will be able to enjoy the appearance of more sculpted and shapely breasts for years to come. You may also experience an improvement in your self-confidence.
Corresponding Procedures
Breast Augmentation
There are several procedures that Dr. Michaels can easily perform alongside a breast lift for more comprehensive results, one of which is breast augmentation. A breast augmentation is a breast-enhancing procedure that uses implants to enhance the shape, size, symmetry, and volume of the breasts. We offer a variety of implant sizes, materials, textures, profiles, and placements to help you achieve your desired appearance, with each offering its own unique benefits and results.
To read more about the other procedures that may be combined with your breast lift, read our blog!
How Much Do Breast Lifts Cost in Washington, D.C.?
There are several factors Dr. Michaels will consider when calculating the cost of your breast lift, including the surgical techniques used, the extent of corrections, and whether any additional procedures are performed. During your personal consultation, Dr. Michaels will discuss the cost of your breast lift with you.
Dr. Michaels offers flexible financing and payment options.
To learn more about the cost of your breast lift, please schedule a consultation online or call the location most convenient to you:
- Rockville, Maryland: (301) 468-5991
- Fairfax, Virginia: (703) 957-8610
FAQ
Are the results of a breast lift permanent?
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting; however, it is important to understand that your breasts will continue to be affected by the natural aging process, gravity, and weight changes. Maintaining a stable weight and practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help prolong the longevity of your results.
Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?
Many women can still breastfeed, but this ability may be impacted depending on the surgical techniques used. If you are interested in having children or breastfeeding in the future, please discuss this with Dr. Michaels during your consultation.
Will my cup size increase after a breast lift?
A breast lift will improve the shape and position of your breasts, but will not affect the size or fullness of your breasts. If you desire more volume, we would recommend asking Dr. Michaels about combining your procedure with a breast augmentation.
How long will a breast lift take to perform?
Dr. Michaels typically takes two to three hours to perform a breast lift, but the exact timing can vary depending on the details of your treatment plan.
Can my breast lift be combined with another cosmetic procedure?
Yes, breast lifts can be combined with numerous other procedures to provide more comprehensive effects and address various concerns at once. For more information, we recommend scheduling a personal consultation at either one of our offices.
References
- Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610682/
- ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
- Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057
