Breast Lift
- Approximate duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Anesthesia: General
- Recovery: up to one month
For whom is this procedure recommended?
Patients who are satisfied with the size of their breasts but wish to restore a more youthful contour may be candidates for a breast lift.
While a breast lift can be performed at any age, it is recommended that the procedure be undertaken only when breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding can have a significant effect on the size and shape of breasts. Though some women decide to have their breast lift or breast reduction before having children, such plans should be discussed with Dr. Nicolaidis.
The goal of breast reduction, on the other hand, is to remove excess weight from the breasts, thereby relieving neck, back and/or shoulder pain.
What is the difference between a breast lift and breast reduction?
Breast lift and breast reduction are two different surgical procedures, although they share some common techniques. The main purpose of the lift is to correct sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple in order to give the breast a firmer and higher shape. This procedure does not necessarily change the volume of the breasts. It is for people who are happy with the size of their breasts, but want to improve their appearance after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, etc.
Breast reduction, on the other hand, removes not only skin but breast tissue as well. A minimum of 250 grams must be removed from each breast in order for the surgery to be covered by the « Regie de l’assurance maladie du Quebec ».
Why don’t breast implants correct sagging breasts?
Dr. Nicolaidis stopped using breast implants in May 2021 and is now the leading Explant (removal of breast implants and their surrounding capsule) Surgeon in Canada. Having performed just shy of 1200 explant cases (95% of which require simultaneous breast lifts) by June 2025, Dr. Nicolaidis has acquired a massive experience doing breast lifts. “At least once an office day, a patient will tell me that they wanted a breast lift years earlier but their Plastic Surgeon convinced them to get implants instead… Even worse, I’ve met patients who had plenty of breast tissue but a Plastic Surgeon removed that tissue and put in breast implants. Some of these patients go on to develop breast implant illness, requiring removal of their implants. But their Plastic Surgeon removed their tissue!” If you have sagging breasts, do NOT get lulled into getting breast implants. The implants would have to be huge in order to help with the sagging, gravity will cause your breasts to drop even further over time, the weight of the implants may lead to neck-shoulder-back pain and revision surgery will be required every 10 years (according to current Canadian-American recommendations).
What complications may occur from a Breast Lift?
Because the nipples and areolas remain attached to the breast tissue, sensation in this area is preserved most of the time, but numbness does occur occasionally. There are normally few complications from breast lift surgery. However, some of the possible complications include bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. The breasts may not be exactly the same and nipple height may vary after surgery. On the other hand, the combination of breast lift and augmentation at the same time has a much higher complication rate, given the opposing objectives and forces.
Video addressing the topic
Surgical and post-operative details
Anaesthesia
Smaller breast lift corrections may be done under local anesthesia with or without sedation, but most corrections require general anesthesia.
Surgical techniques
There are variations to the incisions used for breast lifting. The traditional method of the breast lift uses 3 incisions : one around the nipple, the second vertically from the bottom edge of the nipple to the crease under the breast and the third along the natural curve of the breast crease. An alternative approach used by Dr. Nicolaidis for breast lift involves an incision around the nipple only. The advantages and disadvantages of the various methods will be discussed during your breast lift consultation with Dr. Nicolaidis.
After excess skin is removed above, the nipple is moved to a higher position. Skin that was located above the nipple pre-surgery is pulled down. Together these two maneuvers give a new shape to the breast. Liposuction may also be used to improve the contour under the arm during a breast lift.
Recovery
Several days after a breast lift, patients are able to move about comfortably. Patients may be instructed to wear a support bra for a few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration of the breasts diminishes. After a breast lift, incisions will be red at first and normally stay this way for several months following surgery.
Return to work
After breast lift, it is usually possible to return to work within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery and type of work.
Post-surgery advice
The first week
- Do not wear a bra with hoops for a minimum period of 2 to 3 months;
- Keep your dressings dry and clean;
- Do not force with your arms;
- Wash yourself with a sponge;
- Sleep on your back only (IMPORTANT: never sleep on your side);
- Walk for at least 5 minutes every hour of the day (avoid staying in bed all the time).
It is important to go to your post-operative appointment with Dr. Nicolaidis, even if you are doing very well.
After the first week
- Continue to keep your dressings dry and clean until further notice by Dr. Nicoladis;
- You can wash your back against shower jets, with a sponge or with a telephone shower, taking care not to wet your bandages around the breasts;
- Before taking a bath again, you should ask Dr. Nicolaidis if you can;
- Avoid exposing your scars to the sun for a period of 6 months;
- Avoid lifting heavy objects until Dr. Nicolaidis expressly authorizes you to do so;
- Keep moving to avoid complications due to passivity, such as blood clots (walk regularly during the day).
Please note
- It is normal to have swelling around the breasts and bruising during the first few weeks after surgery. However, if you are concerned that your swelling and bruising may be greater than they should be, or if one of your breasts is becoming larger than the other, please contact us.
- To counteract the pain, be sure to take your pain relievers as prescribed.
Ready to learn more?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicolaidis and discover his approach to breast surgery, body contouring, and explantation.
