Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure designed to reshape and elevate the position of the breasts without adding additional volume. This procedure is one of the most popular and widely performed procedures in the country, seeing a 7% increase in procedures between 2022-2023 alone. ^{(1, 2)} When the breasts start to sag or droop due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss, you may experience changes to your image and self-esteem. A breast lift can create a perkier, more youthful breast appearance and improve confidence.

Dr. Utku Dolen is an expertly trained plastic surgeon in Algonquin, Illinois. Dr. Dolen is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery®. Dedicated to providing only the highest quality of care and service, he and his team are ready to help each patient look and feel better in their skin.

To schedule your breast lift consultation with Dr. Dolen, please contact our Algonquin location at (847) 854-3522 or visit our office!

About Breast Lifts

A breast lift or mastopexy is a procedure that can address sagging skin (ptosis) and changes to the position of the nipples. Over time, the breasts can lose their shape and appearance due to different factors such as aging, significant weight changes, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Some women may experience nipples that droop downward, unevenness, and asymmetry within the breasts themselves. ⁽³⁾ This procedure can offer both reconstructive and aesthetic benefits, with many women choosing to undergo this procedure to help restore their confidence and their figure.

Types of Breast Lifts

There are three main incisions Dr. Dolen can employ in a breast lift: the periareolar incision, the circumvertical incision(“lollipop”), or the Wise pattern(“Anchor or inverted T”). Each technique offers its own benefits, targeting different levels of ptosis severity and restoring the lift in the breast. ⁽⁴⁾ The periareolar incision is made around the nipple and areola. This is considered the least invasive incision and can address minor ptosis. The circumvertical incision is a circular incision around the nipple and a vertical incision downward towards the breast crease. This incision is often referred to as a “lollipop lift” and results in minimal scarring. The Wise pattern, or “anchor” incision, offers the highest degree of correction for those with severe ptosis. This method involves creating an incision around the nipple, down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease. ⁽⁵⁾

Benefits

There are many benefits to receiving a breast lift. Patients can enjoy the restored shape and symmetry of their breasts. This procedure helps remove excess skin and repositions nipple and areola so that it protrudes outwardly in a more natural position. This procedure offers long-lasting results with inconspicuous scars. Rejuvenate your skin, sculpt, and restore your confidence with a breast lift procedure!

To find out how a breast lift can benefit you, please contact our Algonquin location at (847) 854-3522 or visit our office!

Candidates

Patients interested in a breast lift should be near their ideal, stable weight, as losing a significant amount of weight after a breast lift procedure can impact the shape of the breasts. ⁽³⁾ Candidates interested in this procedure are those who are suffering from the loss of elasticity and collagen in their skin due to aging. Women who have recently given birth or have been breastfeeding may address physical changes, restoring the breasts to their original shape. You should stop breastfeeding at least for 6 months before any breast surgery, including breast lift.

Personal Consultation

At our practice, we ask that each patient schedule a personal consultation before their procedure. This is a chance for our team to get to know each patient on a more personal level and to understand the motivations behind seeking treatment. After learning more about each patient’s concerns and medical history, Dr. Dolen will perform a medical examination of the treatment area and surrounding tissue. After determining candidacy, he will recommend the best methods and strategies to help each patient achieve their desired lift, tailoring each aspect to address specific experienced symptoms and individual concerns. Attending a personal consultation allows our team to find the best treatment available for you.

To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Dolen, please contact us online, call us at (847) 854-3522, or visit our Algonquin office!

Preparation

Dr. Dolen will instruct patients on how to properly prepare for their procedure during their personal consultation. He may ask patients to refrain from certain medications or supplements that may thin the blood, such as ibuprofen. Patients should pre-arrange any necessary time away from work or other social commitments to ensure they give themselves enough time to rest. Those receiving general anesthesia should ensure to pre-arrange transportation home, with many patients finding it helpful to arrange for assistance during the first 24-48 hours of recovery. All candidates interested in a breast lift should be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that may impair healing. If applicable, candidates who smoke should be prepared to quit smoking before their procedure and refrain from nicotine until fully healed.

Procedure

The procedure begins with anesthesia administration to ensure each patient feels comfortable before the start of the procedure. Dr. Dolen will then make an incision based on the treatment plan established. The incision will either be the periareolar, circumvertical, or the Wise pattern, depending on the necessary degree of correction. Dr. Dolen will lift and reposition the breast tissue, restoring the youth to the breast. If necessary, the areola will also be reshaped to ensure they remain proportionate to the rest of the treatment area. He will close the incisions carefully to ensure minimal scarring. The duration of the procedure can last 2-3 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the established treatment plan.

Recovery

Following a breast lift, you will need to take time away from work and social commitments to rest. You may experience swelling and bruising in the treatment area, and you can reduce any discomfort or tenderness with pain medications. Symptoms typically subside on their own within the following few weeks. Most patients find that they can return to work within 1-2 weeks and back to full activities within 4-6 weeks, but please allow Dr. Dolen to ensure you can return to your daily routine. It may take 6-12 weeks to fully heal following a procedure. Please follow all directions provided by a member of our team to ensure the most optimal results.

Results

Following a breast lift procedure, patients will experience a more noticeable and youthful breast contour alongside a higher positioning on the body. The areola and nipple will be reshaped and repositioned to ensure more proportional and outward-facing results. Patients can enjoy firmer, tighter skin, and some patients may or may not see a change in their bra cup size alongside their clothes fitting better. The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, with many patients seeing extended results with positive lifestyle changes.

Corresponding Procedures

Many women will choose to increase the volume of their breasts during their breast lift by combining the procedure with breast augmentation. This is especially beneficial for women whose breasts have become “deflated” after weight loss. Breast augmentation procedures use either implants or fat grafts to increase the volume of the breasts, allowing patients to enjoy fuller breasts. When combined with a breast lift, these fuller breasts have an added youthful perkiness. Because the chest muscles are tightened during a breast lift, your augmented breasts will be better supported, allowing you to enjoy these results for many years to come.

Cost of a Breast Lift in the Greater Chicago Area

The cost of a breast lift will depend on multiple factors, as each treatment is fully customized to help address and target each patient’s symptoms and conditions. Dr. Dolen will provide an estimated cost during each patient’s consultation after he creates a treatment plan.

To unlock the full cost of your breast lift procedure, please schedule your consultation today. If you have any further questions, contact our Algonquin office at (847) 854-3522 or visit us in person!

References

1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Procedural Statistics Data Insights Partners: 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2022/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2022.pdf
3. Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK610682/
4. 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
5. Newman MK. Reconstruction of the Ptotic Breast Using Wise Pattern Skin Deepithelialization. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2016;4(11):e1077. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000001077
6. Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/
7. Abdelkader R, Malahias M, Naguib I, Abdelghani S, Raafat S. Mastopexy: with or without Acellular Dermal Matrix? Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(4):e3952. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003952