Breast Lift – Mastopexy

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Rather than increasing or decreasing the size of their breasts, many women simply desire a more youthful shape that undoes the effects of age and other contributing factors.

At Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we can perform breast lift surgery on its own to remove excess skin and bring the breasts into a more youthful position, and we can combine it with other surgeries such as breast augmentation or facial rejuvenation to address more than one concern at the same time. You can learn more about this procedure through a breast lift consultation in El Paso, TX.

What Is a Breast Lift? 

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure used to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure repositions the breast tissue higher on the chest wall, removes stretched or excess skin, and can also reduce the size of an enlarged areola for a more proportionate, natural-looking result. Unlike breast augmentation, a mastopexy focuses on lifting and reshaping rather than changing breast size.

How Common Is Breast Lift Surgery? 

The number of women receiving breast lift surgery has grown by almost 90 percent since 2000, surpassing even breast augmentation in growth. In 2024 alone, 153,616 breast lifts were performed. More and more women are saying, “I want my breasts back.” 

Is a Breast Lift the Right Procedure for Me?

Many women opt for a breast lift as a result of sagging breasts after having children in order to restore the shape of their breasts. Other good candidates include women whose nipples fall below the breast crease or who are dealing with back pain as a result of large breasts. Some women also get breast lifts because their breasts prevent them from physical activity such as running or weight lifting. It’s important to note that women can get breast lifts only at an age after which the breasts are fully developed.

This procedure can take place before or after pregnancy and it doesn’t affect the ability to breastfeed. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume — for example, after pregnancy — breast implants inserted in conjunction with the breast lift, or mastopexy, can increase both the firmness and size of the breasts, creating an overall attractive appearance.

What Does a Breast Lift Procedure Entail?

Most breast lifts are done under general anesthesia. During the breast lift procedure, the surgeon reshapes the breast tissue and removes excess skin in order to set the breast at a higher position. The nipple is also lifted higher on the chest wall, and the skin of the breast is tightened. The surgeon can also resize the areola in order to produce a natural-looking result. While each plan of care is individualized, breast lifts are usually done in a few hours and do not require an overnight stay.

Types of Breast Lift Techniques

Periareolar (Donut) Lift

The periareolar technique uses a single circular incision placed along the outer edge of the areola. Because the incision follows the natural border where pigmented and lighter skin meet, the resulting scar blends in especially well. This option is best for women with mild sagging who need only a modest amount of repositioning.

Vertical (Lollipop) Lift

The vertical lift combines the periareolar incision with a second incision that goes from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease,  creating a shape that resembles a lollipop. This added access allows the surgeon to reshape a greater amount of breast tissue and remove more excess skin.

Anchor (Inverted-T) Lift

The anchor lift, sometimes called the inverted-T, adds a third incision that follows the natural fold beneath the breast. This combination of incisions gives the surgeon the most flexibility to reshape breast tissue, raise the nipple significantly and remove substantial amounts of loose skin. It is the preferred technique for women with advanced sagging or significant skin laxity following pregnancy or major weight loss.

What Is Breast Lift Recovery Like?

Patients can expect to take it easy for a few days after surgery, but recovery time is fairly minimal. You should plan on avoiding any strenuous activities during your first few days at home since they could potentially strain your incisions and harm your results. Heavy lifting, including that associated with childcare, and any high-intensity or contact sports should be avoided immediately after your surgery and for up to six weeks afterwards until your surgical area has healed completely.

However, you can drive and return to work often in as little as 48 to 72 hours if you are comfortable doing so. Drs. Jabor and Reynolds will provide you with a detailed recovery plan before your surgery, which they will go over with you to ensure that your recovery at home goes smoothly. Once you return home, you should always feel welcome to call the surgeons’ practice at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your recovery. Also, be sure not to miss your follow-up appointments as they are designed to ensure your safety and results.

Your Breast Lift Recovery Timeline

• First 24-48 Hours: You will experience mild to moderate soreness and swelling. Your chest may feel tighter than normal, and you will wear a surgical bra to support your new breast shape. 
• Days 3-7: Your discomfort will begin to ease, and you will be able to transition to over-the-counter pain control. Light movement is great to support your circulation.
• Weeks 2-3: During this time, your swelling and bruising will fade. Most patients feel comfortable resuming desk-based work and light daily routines. Your breasts may still feel firm or sensitive.
• Weeks 4-5: Your breasts will begin to settle into their new shape and your incisions will start to mature. You can reintroduce low-impact exercise. 
• 6 Weeks and Beyond: By this point, most of your activity restrictions will be lifted, and you can return to full workouts. Your scars will continue to fade over the following 12 to 18 months.   

Can I Combine My Breast Lift With a Breast Augmentation? 

Sometimes a breast lift is enough to satisfy a woman’s concerns about the appearance of her breasts. However, for some women who are also concerned about the size of the breasts as well as their position, a breast lift is not enough to give them the results they desire. If this is the case for you, you may wish to consider combining a breast lift procedure along with a breast augmentation procedure.

These two surgeries complement each other very well, addressing the two most common problems that women have with their breasts simultaneously. A combined surgery has many advantages. It can:

• Give women the most rejuvenation possible in a single surgery visit
• Reduce the total number of surgeries a woman needs to have to get her results
• Lower a woman’s risks, since she will have only one surgery and anesthesia experience
• Shorten her recovery time, since she will have one recovery and not two
• Decrease her costs, since she will have a single surgical center visit

Whether you will benefit from a breast lift, breast augmentation or both will be determined during your in-person consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jabor or Dr. Reynolds. Your final course of treatment will only include the surgeries you need to achieve your results.

A breast lift not only pairs well with a breast augmentation but also can form part of a more substantive rejuvenation plan. You can have a breast lift along with a tummy tuck, liposuction or mommy makeover, or even with a neck lift or facial skin treatment to enhance the upper torso of your body even further. Our surgeons will only recommend procedures that will enhance areas of concern and promote your well-being.

We Offer a Consultative Approach to the Mastopexy Procedure

At Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center of El Paso, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and high standard of patient care. With locations on both the east and west sides of El Paso, Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center of El Paso specializes in providing state-of-the-art mastopexy techniques while addressing your specific needs and desires. Dr. Jabor and Dr. Reynolds will use computer simulation to formulate a breast lift procedure that is best for your body. The doctors and their knowledgeable staff are always available to answer your questions or concerns regarding the mastopexy procedure – schedule a breast lift consultation or call 915-543-5600 to speak with one of the doctors’ assistants.

Are You Concerned About Paying for Your Procedure? 

In most cases, a breast lift procedure will not be covered by your insurance carrier since it is most often an elective and not a necessary medical procedure. However, this does not mean that you will have to delay or forgo your treatment. The Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso offer their clients two helpful ways to pay for their surgeries over time, so they can get the results they want and pay the way they want.

Our practice accepts both CareCredit® and Prosper®, two convenient ways that allow our clients to finance their healthcare. CareCredit, for example, gives our clients the following benefits:

• Affordable monthly payments
• Minimal interest on plans
• No upfront fees or other penalties

Prosper offers:

• Flexible payment plans
• Low-interest rates
• No penalties on pre-payments

Our friendly practice staff will be happy to help you select the payment option that works best for you.

More Breast Lift FAQs

Will a Breast Lift Affect Breastfeeding or Future Pregnancies?

A breast lift does not typically interfere with a woman’s ability to breastfeed, since the milk ducts and nipple connections are preserved during surgery. That said, many women choose to wait until after they are done having children to schedule their mastopexy, because pregnancy and nursing can stretch the skin again and alter the results. If you do become pregnant after your lift, your breasts may change shape, and a touch-up procedure can be considered later if desired.

How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

Breast lift results are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their improved shape and position for many years after surgery. However, the natural aging process continues, and factors such as significant weight fluctuations, future pregnancies, and gradual loss of skin elasticity can influence how long results remain at their peak. Maintaining a stable weight, wearing supportive bras, and protecting your skin from sun damage will all help you preserve your results for as long as possible.

What if I don’t want an increase in size, just a better shape?

Breast implants can also be used to help with the overall shape of the breast. A small implant can be used to help with upper breast fullness without really affecting the overall volume.

Are there external scars on the breast with a mastopexy?

Yes, there are always external scars on the breast because skin and breast tissue need to be removed. The most visible scar is the vertical scar, as both the scar around the areola and in the breast crease will be well-hidden. 

About Us

The Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso’s board-certified surgeons, Dr. Jabor and Dr. Reynolds, have the training, experience and artistic eye that deliver their patients the safe, high-quality results they expect and deserve. Each of our surgeons is fully committed to building the personal relationships with their patients that are the foundation of their compassionate care approach and which lead to positive and satisfying outcomes.

Their commitment to excellence and premium patient care has been well-recognized. In acknowledgement of this, The Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center has been awarded Black Diamond Status by Allergan, a leading manufacturer of medical devices. The award identifies surgeons who have made outstanding contributions to the medical field as well as the well-being of their patients, serving them with consistent excellence.

Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation in El Paso, TX

Whether you have a breast lift alone or a combined procedure that also includes a breast augmentation, you can enjoy a substantially improved appearance with long-term rejuvenation in a single, safe and effective procedure performed by our board-certified surgeons. Call the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso today to learn more about having a breast lift surgery!

You can reach out to our East El Paso location at 915-855-7800 and our West El Paso location at 915-543-5600. At the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso, we want to see you look your best, always!