Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in NYC
What is a Breast Lift?
Over time, breasts naturally change due to aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. A breast lift (mastopexy) helps restore firmer, perkier, and youthful breasts by eliminating excess skin and repositioning breast tissue.
Unlike breast implants, a boob lift focuses on shaping and lifting the breast rather than adding volume. However, if you desire fuller and lifted breasts, a breast lift with implants or breast lift and fat transfer can achieve both enhanced size and contour.
Common reasons for getting a breast lift:
✔️ Sagging or drooping breasts
✔️ Loss of firmness and perkiness
✔️ Stretched areolas or downward-pointing nipples
✔️ Uneven breast position or asymmetry
Expert plastic surgeon, Dr. Itay Wiser specializes in breast lift techniques and breast reshaping to provide natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Table of Contents
Why Patients Trust Dr. Wiser
NYC & Israeli Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Mount Sinai Elmhurst
Advanced techniques for natural-looking results
Thousands of successful
procedures
Breast Lift: Before & After
Types of Breast Lift Procedures
A crescent-shaped incision is made along the top of the areola and the sagging tissues are lifted to restore the breast’s perky appearance. The incision is placed at this location because it is much easier to reduce the visibility of any scarring that might occur. The scar is typically obscured by the darker skin found at this part of the areola. Breasts that demonstrate minor sagging or asymmetry between the nipples and areolas can benefit greatly from a crescent lift. If the patient desires breast augmentation surgery during a breast lift, a crescent lift is one of the preferred techniques.
Breasts that demonstrate a greater degree of sagging are often given a donut lift which requires a more extensive incision by comparison to the crescent lift. Here, the incision is made around the entire outer edge of the areola allowing for a more dramatic lift. Dr. Wiser may suggest a donut lift procedure for women who also desire breast augmentation surgery at the same time. Many women prefer this technique if they are unhappy with the appearance of the areolae as the incision can alter the size and shape of this portion of the breast.
This procedure is often recommended for women who require a large amount of breast tissue to be removed and breast contour to be readjusted. The incision is made surrounding the areola, as in the donut lift, with an additional incision made vertically from the lower edge of the areola towards the crease of the breast. Both incisions resemble a lollipop when closed. A lollipop lift can be beneficial for women who want to lift and recontour the breast and alter the size and shape of the areola. The placement of the incisions is also ideal for breast augmentation as no further incisions will be required while performing that stage of the surgery.
Many women who experience the most advanced levels of sagging and excess skin and tissue will elect to have this breast lift procedure performed to correct these issues. This type of breast lift utilizes the incisions from a lollipop cut with an additional incision placed horizontally at the crease of the breast. Although the incisions are placed at inconspicuous locations along the edge of the areola and at the natural crease of the breast, the scars from this type of breast lift surgery may be more noticeable after healing, But this technique can have significant positive results for lifting and enhancing the shape, size, and appearance of the breasts.
Breast Lift with Fat Transfer
Many women opt for a breast lift with fat transfer as a natural alternative to implants. Using Lipo 360 fat transfer to breasts, we remove unwanted fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs and inject it into the breasts, providing a fuller and lifted appearance without implants.
Benefits of Fat Transfer:
- Natural-looking, long-lasting results
- No implants needed – uses your own body fat
- Enhances both breast shape and volume
This method is perfect for those who want a breast lift with subtle fullness while keeping a natural, soft feel.
Breast Lift After Weight Loss & For Larger Breasts
Losing a significant amount of weight can be a transformative experience, improving your health and overall well-being. However, a common side effect of major weight loss is sagging skin, particularly in the breast area.
When breast tissue shrinks, the skin often fails to retract, leading to loose, droopy breasts that have lost their perkiness and firmness. This is where a breast lift after weight loss can help, by removing excess skin, tightening breast tissue, and restoring a youthful, lifted appearance.
Why Do Breasts Sag After Weight Loss?
- Loss of Fat Volume – Breasts contain glandular tissue and fat. When fat is lost rapidly, breasts deflate and lose fullness.
- Weakened Skin Elasticity – Aging, pregnancy, and genetics impact how well your skin bounces back after weight loss.
- Larger Breasts Sag More – Women with larger breasts experience more severe sagging due to greater skin stretching over time.
How Ozempic & Other Weight Loss Medications Affect Skin & Breasts
Ozempic (semaglutide) and similar GLP-1 medications have become popular for rapid weight loss, but they can also exacerbate sagging skin issues.
How Ozempic Causes Sagging Skin & Breasts
Rapid Fat Loss – Fast weight loss shrinks the fat layer, leaving loose, excess skin behind.
Loss of Collagen & Elasticity – As body fat decreases, skin elasticity weakens, making it harder for skin to retract.
More Noticeable in Large Breasts – Women with fuller chests before weight loss may experience dramatic sagging, as the breast volume decreases faster than the skin can adapt.
The Solution?
A breast lift after weight loss can help remove excess skin, lift the breasts, and restore a natural, youthful shape.
Breast Lift for Large Breasts – Benefits & Functional Improvement
Women with larger breasts who experience sagging after weight loss often seek a breast lift for large breasts to:
- Relieve Back, Neck & Shoulder Pain – Heavy, sagging breasts can strain the spine and shoulders, leading to chronic discomfort.
- Improve Posture & Mobility – A breast lift helps redistribute breast weight, making movement more comfortable.
- Enhance Body Proportions – Lifted, firmer breasts balance the figure, making the waistline appear more defined.
A breast lift can be performed alone or combined with breast reduction surgery for those who want to decrease breast size while lifting and reshaping.
When a Breast Lift is Not Enough – Considering Breast Reduction
While a breast lift (mastopexy) effectively reshapes and lifts sagging breasts, some women with overly large breasts (macromastia) may require breast reduction surgery in addition to a lift.
A breast lift alone does not reduce breast size—it focuses on lifting and reshaping the existing tissue. If you experience chronic pain, difficulty exercising, or skin irritation due to heavy, oversized breasts, a breast reduction with a lift may be the best solution for both aesthetic and functional improvement.
What is the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Reduction?
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) – Removes excess skin, lifts and reshapes the breasts, but does not significantly reduce size.
Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty) – Removes excess breast tissue and fat, reduces breast size, and includes a lift for better shape and contour.
For women struggling with large, heavy breasts that cause physical discomfort, a breast reduction can:
- Significantly reduce breast size while lifting and reshaping
- Eliminate chronic pain and improve posture
- Make exercise and daily activities easier
- Enhance body balance for a more proportional figure
By combining a breast lift with a reduction, you can achieve lighter, firmer, and more youthful breasts while eliminating pain and discomfort caused by excessive breast weight.
Call 347-947-5734 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Itay Wiser!
Breast Lift vs. Breast Implants – Which Do You Need?
Not all patients need breast implants to achieve their ideal look. Dr. Wiser will help you decide whether you need:
- Breast lift without augmentation – Reshapes & lifts without increasing size
- Breast implants without lift – Adds volume but does not correct sagging
- Implant removal and lift – If you want to remove old implants but still have firm, lifted breasts
A breast lift after augmentation is also available for those who had previous breast implants and now need repositioning and tightening.
Mommy Makeover – Combining a Breast Lift with other procedures
Pregnancy, childbirth, and weight fluctuations can have a major impact on a woman’s body, often leading to sagging breasts, loose abdominal skin, excess fat, and weakened muscles.
A Mommy Makeover is a comprehensive plastic surgery procedure designed to restore a woman’s pre-baby body by addressing multiple areas in one customized surgery.
Is Breast LIFT Surgery Painful?
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort in the first few days following surgery, but this is easily managed with prescribed pain medication.
To further minimize post-operative pain, Dr. Itay Wiser utilizes an advanced nerve block technique during surgery. This temporarily numbs the surgical area, significantly reducing discomfort for the first 24-48 hours after the procedure. Patients who receive a nerve block often report a smoother, more comfortable recovery with less reliance on pain medication.
📌 Dr. Wiser’s focus on patient comfort ensures that you experience the easiest and most pain-free recovery possible.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in NYC?
The cost of a breast lift in New York City depends on the technique used, extent of work required, and whether additional procedures like augmentation or fat transfer are performed. During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed cost breakdown.
Call 347-947-5734 for a personalized cost estimate!
FAQ about Breast Lift
What Are the Results of a Breast Lift?
Results are immediate, but final results become fully visible once swelling subsides (typically within 3-6 months). Your breasts will appear:
- Firmer, perkier, and youthful
- Better proportioned to your body
- Shapelier with a naturally enhanced contour
What is Recovery Like After a Breast Lift?
Mild discomfort for the first few days (managed with prescribed medication)
Swelling and bruising subside within 1-2 weeks
Wear a surgical bra or compression garment to aid healing
Return to work within 5-7 days, but avoid strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks
Can I Reduce My Areola Size During a Breast Lift?
Yes! Many women opt for areola reduction as part of their breast lift surgery to achieve a more balanced, youthful look.
What is Recovery Like After a Breast Lift?
Most patients return home the same day
Mild pain is manageable with prescribed medication
Swelling & bruising are normal and subside within 1-2 weeks
You’ll wear a surgical bra or compression garment for support
Full recovery takes 4-6 weeks
Can I Combine a Breast Lift with Other Procedures?
Yes! Many patients combine a breast lift with:
- Breast Augmentation (for added volume)
- Breast Reduction (for lighter, firmer breasts)
- Tummy Tuck & Liposuction (as part of a Mommy Makeover)
How to Prepare for Surgery?
Dr. Wiser recommends:
- Getting a Mammogram (if over 35) for health monitoring
- Refraining from smoking before surgery to improve healing
- Discussing anesthesia options during your consultation
How is the Surgery Performed?
A breast lift takes 2-3 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Wiser makes incisions, removes excess skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola for a natural, youthful look.
Is Breast Lift Surgery Painful?
Pain levels vary, but most patients report mild to moderate discomfort for the first few days, which is easily managed with prescribed medication.
When Can I Return to Work?
Most patients return to work within 5-7 days, but strenuous activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.