For many, pert and lifted breasts can boost their confidence exponentially. Breasts change over time, particularly as we age. They can also lower, sag, and droop for many reasons — from pregnancy and breastfeeding to weight changes. If you’re seeking firmer breasts, mastopexy (or breast lift surgery) could be the ideal procedure for you.

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and create a rejuvenated, more youthful-looking bust. Unlike breast augmentation (enlargement), breast uplift surgery does not add volume to the breasts but instead lifts and ‘re-cones’ them, creating a fuller appearance. 

Having said this, you can also undergo a breast lift with implants, which combines mastopexy surgery with implants to increase cup size while lifting.

You might choose to have a mastopexy if you’re unhappy with where your breasts sit, or if they’ve lost shape and volume. Perhaps your nipples point downwards and fall below your breast crease, or one breast is lower than the other. 

As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to take time to make the decision to have a breast lift. We always recommend speaking with a qualified surgeon like Adam Critchley to ensure the procedure is right for you.

What happens during breast lift surgery?

If you are contemplating a breast lift, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what breast lift surgery and recovery entails.

Preparation

When you opt for a breast lift, the process will begin with a consultation with Adam Critchley. During this part of the process, Adam will assess your breasts, discuss your medical history, and check your eligibility. Together, you’ll discuss what you want to get from the procedure, and you will be given a walk through of what to expect before, during, and after surgery. 

After signing a consent form, you’ll be booked in for your surgery. Smoking can increase your recovery time, so if you do smoke, it’s required that you give up cigarettes at least eight weeks before your appointment, and stop using a nicotine vape at least four weeks before surgery.

The surgery

On the day of your mastopexy, the surgeon will again assess your breasts, using a special pen to mark the changes they will make. These incisions will usually be along the breast crease, around the areola, and vertically from the areola down to the breast crease. The breast crease scar can vary in length from 6-8 cm to the full width of the breast depending on how much skin needs to be removed.

You’ll undergo general anaesthetic, so you will be asleep during the procedure itself, which can take up to three hours. The anaesthetist will also place ultrasound guided nerve blocks to minimise any post-operative pain.  Once you’re in the theatre, your surgeon will make the incisions they marked out, reshape the breast tissue, and remove excess skin and breast tissue. If you’re having a breast lift with augmentation, they will also insert implants. They will also reposition and resize your nipple-areolar complex.

Risks and side effects

No cosmetic surgery is free from risks and side effects, so it’s vital to have an awareness of these before your breast lift procedure. 

In rare cases, complications can arise from breast lift surgery. These include infection, bleeding, sepsis, and loss of some breast tissue (including the nipple).

It’s normal to experience mild side effects following mastopexy, including:

  • Soreness, tenderness, swelling, and bruising — which may last a few weeks
  • Scarring — although this can be noticeable at first, it does tend to fade over time.
  • Changes to nipple sensation.

Before After
Before After

Wise pattern scars. Mainly removing excess skin to re-cone breast shape and improve nipple position

Before After
Before After

Vertical Scar/Mini-T. Auto-augmentation by advancing lower pole tissue behind new nipple position to enhance nipple projection and breast fullness. Tightening of skin envelope.

Breast lift recovery

As with any surgical procedure, there is some recovery time after a breast lift. 

After completing the surgery, you will be fitted with a support bra on the ward before discharge. At Adam Critchley, mastopexy patients do not typically require any drainage tubes. We use slowly dissolving sutures and water-resistant dressings.

Recovery time will vary depending on your unique circumstances. However, you can usually expect the following timeline:

  • On the day of surgery: You’ll rest until the anaesthetic has worn off. When you have surgery with Adam Critchley, you’ll have an overnight stay in one of our comfortable private rooms, complete with an ensuite and medical staff available around the clock.

  • The first few days: You may feel tender and require painkillers. You’ll need to continue wearing your surgical support bra, and it’s best to sleep on your back. We recommend avoiding any bending or lifting and keeping your chest dry.

  • The first two weeks: You may need a couple of weeks off work to recover, and it’s important to avoid sexual activity for the first two weeks. Check with your surgeon when you can get back to usual activities such as showering. We recommend continuing to wear a soft support bra.

  • The first six weeks: You might experience numbness around your nipples and breast skin, but this should wear off after around six weeks. 

It can take a couple of years for scars to fade — please see our guide to breast surgery scar recovery and care for more information.

How much is a breast lift?

The price of breast lift surgery varies depending on your surgeon and their experience. At Adam Critchley, you can expect your breast lift to cost £8,400 (bilateral). For a breast lift with implants, it’s £9,872.

These prices cover everything you’ll need, from anaesthetic and an overnight hospital stay to discharge medication and follow-up appointments. 

Please note you’ll also need an initial consultation for an additional £200.

Why choose Adam Critchley for your breast lift surgery?

Mastopexy surgery is a significant procedure that can change many lives for the better. When searching for the ideal surgeon, it’s important to consider the practitioner’s credentials and the clinic’s facilities, as well as reviews from other patients

The team at Adam Critchley is experienced, caring, and supportive. Adam Critchley, is one of the top breast lift surgeons in the UK. He has over ten years of dedicated experience as a Consultant Breast Surgeon and offers personalised, transformative cosmetic surgery.

If breast lift surgery sounds like a positive step for you, please feel free to book a consultation with Adam Critchley. You can also explore our blog for more guidance on breast surgery and contact the team if you have any questions.