A Breast Lift or Boob lift surgery is medically known as a Mastopexy. The procedure involves the reshaping and lifting of the breast to remedy severely droopy or sagging breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss, ageing or genetics may cause sagging or drooping. This sagging or breast ptosis causes some women to seek out this breast lifting procedure. A Breast Lift can be combined with other surgical procedures, the most common being having breast implants, to add shape and volume to the upper breasts as well as a lift or uplift.
What is a Breast Lift?
What are the Benefits of a Breast Lift Procedure?
- A breast lift restores breasts to a more central, firmer or higher position on the chest wall.
- If you are generally happy with your breast size but not how they look due to sagging nipples or low-hanging breast tissue, this procedure may be for you.
- Breast Lift procedures reposition and/or resize your nipples to a more central location on the chest.
- This procedure also restores your breasts to the position and shape they once were before they were affected by gravity, skin ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight changes.

Am I a Good Candidate?
Breast Lift Surgery may be a good solution for women who:
- Desire youthful, perkier and more elevated breasts
- Are happy with the size of their breasts but would prefer a firmer, more elevated breast appearance
- Would like to remedy sagging breasts and nipples
A qualified and highly experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon will be able to advise which Breast Lift procedure is likely to work best for you to achieve the surgical results you are after.
To be considered a suitable candidate for a Breast Lift Surgery, you must have realistic expectations about what Mastopexy Surgery can achieve. Some of the reasons you may be exploring your surgical options for Breast Lift Surgery include:
- Your breasts have lost their shape and volume, and their pendulous positioning on your chest bothers you
- When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease or point downwards
- Your breasts have developed a flatter, elongated shape over time
- One breast sits lower on your chest than the other
- Your breast tissue is stretched and you have enlarged areolas
- Weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding has left your breasts looking deflated, and you would like to restore your breasts to a better shape and position
Breast Lift Before and After Photos
Click the photograph to see more actual patient photos of Breast Lift Surgery performed at our Melbourne Clinic by all of our Specialist Plastic Surgeons.

What Can I Expect During Surgery?
The procedure itself generally lasts for 2-4 hours, (this will vary from patient to patient) and is performed while you are under general anaesthesia.
Anaesthesia
Medications and General Anaesthesia are administered for your comfort during your Surgical procedure.
The Surgical Approach
There are different types of Breast Lift procedures that your Surgeon may perform, these include:
- Benelli
- Crescent
- Vertical Mastopexy
- Full Mastopexy
Closing the Incisions
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.
Dissolvable sutures may be layered within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts, and are also used to close the skin.
Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others may be visible on the breast surface.
Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, an experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your particular needs and customise your surgery accordingly.
It is important that you listen to your surgeon and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for your level of breast ptosis.
Risks and Complications
Like all surgical procedures, Breast Lift surgery has risks and complications. Your Surgeon will make you aware of potential complications during your consultation, including:
- Changes to nipple sensation including loss of feeling/sensation changes to the breasts
- Skin or wound infection
- Unfavourable scarring
- Blood clots
- Poor wound healing
- Potential disruption of nipple functions that may impede breastfeeding
- Breast asymmetry or uneven nipples
- Scars or skin markings, dimples or inverted nipples
- Other risks of surgery in general such as having anaesthesia, circulatory risks and bleeding
- Breast contour and shape irregularities


Download Our 2021 Breast Lift Guide
- Breast Lift Surgery, Explained
- What is Breast Lift Surgery?
- What Causes Breast Sagging?
- Am I a Good Candidate
- Planning Your Surgery
- The Surgical Process
- Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
- Rest & Recovery
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About Our Specialist Plastic Surgeons
- Before and After Gallery
Download Our 2021 Breast Lift Guide

Recovery from Breast Lift
The length of your recovery period will depend on your procedure and other health and lifestyle factors. Recovery times can vary from person to person.
The general rule, however, is that you should allow 10-14 days for initial recovery following your Breast Lift surgery. Scar maturation often takes longer, up to a year or more. You will be required to wear a firmly-fitted support garment after surgery for the period of time a surgeon advises.
Longer periods are often required before resuming certain lifting or exercising activities – ask your Surgeon how long before you can start exercising, lifting children or grandchildren, and other heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery will provide you with after garments. Good results depend on a collaborative approach and a healthy lifestyle. Follow instructions given to you by your Surgeon, and attend all post-operative appointments. Remember to follow post-op instructions precisely for a faster recovery.
Light office duties or other tasks may be resumed in about 2 weeks for most patients, however this can this can vary. No heavy lifting for several weeks to a few months.
In general, gentle walking is typically able to be resumed in a few days after surgery. Your Surgeon will advise you, depending on which type of exercise you’re wanting to perform. Running, high impact or strenuous exercises need to be avoided until the time your surgeon says it’s okay.
Costs – How much is a Breast Lift?
All Surgery is customised and your surgeon will give you a price for surgery depending on the type of procedure you are having, the hospital you attend and the length of your stay.
At your initial consultation, you are given a detailed quote. This will include the surgeon’s fee, Anaesthetist fee, Surgical Assistant fee and the hospital fees.
We also provide information on Medicare Cover for Breast Lift, Private Health Insurance and different methods of payment.

Why Choose Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery?
Not all Surgeons have the same experience or intensive training and testing qualifications. Be sure you learn the differences between a Plastic Surgeon, a General Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon or other types of Surgeon. Also, when choosing a Plastic Surgeon word of mouth is always a great way to gain further knowledge.
Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon means you are choosing an accredited recognised plastic surgeon that performs surgery in an accredited hospital. Look for members of FRACS, ASPS, ASAPS or ISAPS as some of the Qualifications of your Plastic Surgeon.
It is important to research a Surgeon’s qualifications and experience before deciding on the Surgeon. You can check your surgeons’ credentials at AHRPA. Our Breast Reduction Surgeons, Dr Craig Rubinstein, Dr Rebecca Wyten, Dr Geoff Barnett, Dr Sackelariou and Dr Rohit Kumar are all highly experienced, fully qualified specialist plastic surgeons with current FRACS memberships.
What to do next?
Our Patient Liaison Team can assist with any questions you may have when considering a procedure. You can send in an enquiry form below or call our Melbourne Clinic between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday.
Phone 1300 264 811, Email us: enquiries@cocoruby.com.au or Book a FREE 15-minute Phone Chat with our Patient Liaison Manager or Book a Face to Face Consultation or a Virtual Consultation with a Surgeon.
Visit our FAQs page, learn more about your procedure or have a look at our Before and After Photos.
Send a confidential enquiry now