Breast lift surgery is a cosmetic treatment to reshape and resize a woman’s breasts. This is done by removing excess skin from under the breast and reshaping and resitting the nipple.
Feeling uncomfortable about this aspect of our body can impact our self-esteem. A breast lift — also known as a mastopexy or a breast uplift — aims to provide a solution to this, paving the way towards newfound confidence.
Undergoing breast lift surgery is a significant decision to make and here’s a lot to consider when planning your treatment. Searching for the right doctor and clinic, choosing between having a breast lift in the UK or abroad, and finding a balance between price and quality, are just a few of the considerations among prospective patients.
The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.
Gallery
How a breast lift surgery works.
How a breast lift surgery works.
Breast Lift Surgery Quick Details
WHO IS THIS FOR
Women who feel that their breasts are droopy after pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Women whose nipples point downwards when unsupported.
Women whose breasts show pronounced sagging due to weight loss.
Women who want younger looking, firmer breasts.
TREATMENT DURATION
Breast lift surgery usually takes around 1.5-3 hours.
Patients typically spend 1-2 nights in the clinic.
If you choose to have your treatment abroad, then you should expect to be away from home for around 5-7 nights.
RECOVERY TIME
Avoid bending and heavy lifting for the first few days after your mastopexy.
Resume light activities and exercise after two weeks.
Resume normal activities after six weeks.
It can take several weeks or months to see final results following the procedure.
Recovery time may vary if combined with another breast surgery treatment.
SUCCESS
Success is dependent on your goals and expectations going into the treatment.
POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS
Scarring
Bleeding
Infection
Bruising and swelling
Difficulty breastfeeding
Loss or changes in breast or nipple sensation
Asymmetry in size or shape of breasts
Partial or total loss of nipples or areolae (rare)
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Before / After Photos
Breast Lift Surgery Costs
Breast lift surgery has become more affordable in recent years. But, there are still a few important factors that can affect the price of the treatment.
Breast lift surgery costs may vary based on:
Whether you choose to have a breast lift in the UK or abroad (where prices are usually cheaper).
The specific clinic and doctor that you choose.
The complexity of your case.
Whether you choose to add a supporting treatment like breast implant surgery.
Quno Price
Below we’ve outlined breast lift surgery costs across different countries. These prices are not fixed or guaranteed and will vary from patient to patient depending on a variety of different factors.
| Country | Price (EUR €) |
|---|---|
| Lithuania | €2,100 |
| Czech Republic | €2,280 |
| Turkey | €2,500 |
| Germany | €2,500 |
| Poland | €3,050 |
| United Kingdom | €6,400 |
| United States | €10,330 |
Why Do Women Choose to Have a Mastopexy?
Women choose to undergo breast lift surgery for various reasons. Most commonly, it’s performed to alter the appearance of the breasts, raising them and making them firmer. This is usually done due to:
Pregnancy: It’s common for breasts to become less firm during pregnancy, as supporting ligaments can stretch as the breasts become heavier. This can also cause sagging, especially if you choose to breastfeed following pregnancy.
Weight changes: Fluctuations in weight can cause breasts to stretch and lose elasticity over time.
Gravity and ageing: Over time, ligaments in the breasts can begin to sag and stretch, causing a drooping appearance.
What Does a Breast Uplift Involve?
Depending on the size of your breasts and the look you hope to achieve, a mastopexy can be done in several ways. Normally, your doctor will remove any excess skin from under the breasts before tightening the surrounding skin and placing the nipple in a slightly higher position.
1. Consultation
Your surgeon will assess your general health and carry out a breast examination so that the precise size and shape of your breasts can be measured. Photographs showing the position of your nipples will also be taken, after which you’ll have the chance to discuss your options and ask any questions you might have.
2. Anaesthesia
A general anaesthetic is normally preferred for breast lift surgery although it can be performed under local anaesthetic. Either way, you should feel limited pain during the procedure and your doctor will help you to decide which is best for you.
3. Procedure
Several techniques are used in breast lift surgery, and the number and location of incisions will depend on the type chosen. Your doctor will decide this based on your breast size and the results that you want to achieve. Different techniques leave different scars, but they won't be visible when you wear a bra or bikini top. To start with, your doctor may:
Make an incision around the areola.
Make a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease.
Make a horizontal incision along the breast crease, if necessary.
Excess skin is then removed from under the breast and the breast is formed into a tighter cone shape. The nipples are moved a little higher up the breast for a more natural look. You can have your areolas made smaller at the same time as well if you wish. Your doctor will then push the skin together and close the incisions with stitches, skin adhesive, or surgical tape. Small tubes may be placed at the incision sites to allow any excess blood or fluid to drain before the breasts are dressed in gauze and you are fitted with a surgical bra.
Are There Different Types of Breast Lift Treatments?
The breast lift procedure that you undergo can vary depending on the size of your breasts and the degree of sagging. The most common types are:
Anchor breast lift: Incisions are made around the areola, down to the breast crease, and under it. Best for women with pronounced sagging.
Lollipop breast lift: Incisions are made in the shape of an inverted T. Suits women with very droopy breasts.
Donut breast lift: Suitable for women with mild to moderate sagging. Also known as the Benelli or periareolar lift.
Crescent breast lift: Crescent-shaped incisions are made here, often in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery. Ideal for women with mild sagging.
Breast Lift Surgery: Recovery and Results
After a mastopexy, your breasts will likely feel tender and sore and you'll notice a change in their shape and appearance. Most women can go home the same day following their treatment. One week after the procedure, a nurse will check the incisions to ensure that they are healing well and remove any remaining dressings or stitches. You should be able to return to work within a week to ten days. However, avoid vigorous exercise or activity for two weeks after your breast lift.
Bear in mind too that it can take several months for the final results of your treatment to fully show.
Breast lift surgery before and after at Gaziosmanpasa Hospital (GOP), Istanbul.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?
The results of breast lift surgery are not always permanent. Changes following the procedure usually occur over time, mainly due to skin losing elasticity as you get older. This can cause sagging, especially if you have larger breasts. Breasts can also drop due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, which is why it’s recommended to wait until after you’ve had children before getting a breast uplift.
To maintain your new look for as long as possible following your breast lift surgery, it’s important to keep your weight as constant as you can and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects Associated With Breast Lift Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, a breast lift does come with some potential risks and side effects. Although rare, it’s still important to be aware of these before undergoing treatment.
Permanent scarring that should fade over time.
Temporary or permanent changes to nipple and breast sensation.
Swelling, bruising, and swelling that takes longer than usual to ease.
Asymmetry in the shape and size of your breasts due to unexpected changes during the recovery process.
Difficulty breastfeeding and producing enough milk.
Partial or total loss of nipple and areola due to an interruption in the blood supply during surgery (although this is very rare).
If you’re worried about any side effects or risks at any point in your treatment journey, you can contact your Qunomedical Patient Manager.
Should I Get a Breast Lift Abroad or at Home?
In recent years, there’s been an increase in the number of women travelling abroad to undergo breast lift surgery. Getting a breast lift in Turkey or Lithuania for example, are some of the most popular choices.
The increased popularity of travelling abroad is mainly due to:
Breast lift costs in the UK being much higher than they are abroad.
The availability of world-renowned surgeons overseas.
The quality of clinics and hospitals abroad that are equipped with the latest technologies.
1. How Do I Organise Getting to and From the Clinic in a City I've Never Been to Before?
2. Do I Have to Be Abroad for a Long Time?
3. What Happens if I Have Problems When I Get Home?
Why Choose Qunomedical?
Qunomedical takes a patient first approach to healthcare. We work for you, not the clinics or doctors and we’ll never push you into a treatment that isn’t right for you, just to make a sale. Our team of Patient Managers will work together with you to find a high-quality and fairly priced breast lift surgery at home, or abroad.
✔ 100% free, non-binding assessment: We offer a 100% free, non-binding assessment to every patient that approaches Qunomedical, regardless of whether they decide to book a treatment or not.
✔ Professionally-vetted doctors: Our proprietary scoring system, Qunoscore, assesses doctors based on over 20 data points, such as qualifications, experience, accreditations, value for money, and reviews from past patients.
✔ Internationally-renowned clinics: At Qunomedical, we’ll only ever give you information about clinics that have met our high standards for quality of care, with each having been through our strict and thorough vetting process.
✔ 24/7, end-to-end care: We’re there for you throughout your entire treatment journey, from the initial consultations to the successful recovery. Your Patient Manager will be your personal point of contact and can be reached via phone, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email.
Breast Lift Surgery Reviews
Breast Lift Surgery Reviews
4.830.04.2023
Contacting Qunomedical was very easy. Luisa guided our professionally through the booking process. Originally, only a complex rhinoplasty was planned. Despite the short lead time, we were able to book an additional breast lift at the same time. We hope that the treatment will be performed optimally on site in Istanbul.
20.03.2020
Hello GOP Team First of all I would like to thank my doctor Dr Anı for the treatment she has performed. I have been wanting to have surgery for years but was very scared. After meeting Dr Anı and the GOP Team I know would recommend GOP to all my family and friends. From the airport pick up to my after care they have all been fantastic. Funda you have been amazing thank you so much. I love you guys...
20.01.2020
Dr. Paulis and his staff are very professional and have a very personal approach. I am happy not only with how the surgery went but how the doctor and clinic staff as well. All my questions and my husband’s concerns were answered with patience by the Doctor. I was also provided a telephone contact with the Doctor as a big plus and he actually responded promptly even after the operation. I am happy I chose such a professional.
24.10.2018
All in all this has been a positive experience. The main point of the trip was the surgery and though I don’t yet know the final outcome I feel confident that the surgeon was excellent and I am excited to see my results. The nurses were thourough though underatandably due to the language barrier it was a little difficult at times! One thing is the surgeon was not the one I had researched (on my quotation) however, I don’t feel this was a problem as he was great. On the day of surgery, for payment I was asked for €8,300 though my final pdf quotation was €7,470. The lady took the smaller sum and said she would look into it though I haven’t heard back. I decided not to have the rhinoplasty with the honest opinion of the surgeon so this was taken off of the sum. Ebru (my assistant) is a very nice person, punctual, and checked up on me either in person or via message every day. So far so good. Unfortunately however, I have had significant issues with the hotel and I am in the process of making a complaint. I never complain however in the 2 nights I have stayed at the hotel I’ve already had something like 8 issues!! When you are in a lot of pain trying to heal and you can’t order food etc in order to take your medication this is a big problem. Once I have made the complaint I will forward it to you. Colette is very nice, very professional, and super helpful. The surgeon, the hospital and Ebru were also great. So a good experience overall. However the hotel service was/is very very frustrating and did not assist my recovery despite the fact that the room was beautiful and some of the staff were very helpful!
Patient manager
Frieda
Your personal Patient Manager
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