Firm, perky breasts are something most women desire. Physiological changes due to age, significant weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding do not spare either the body or the breasts, and both sexes are affected in different ways. Soft tissue and skin start to sag, and the appearance of the areolae and nipples can lose their youthful attractiveness.

With a breast lift, we restore a more youthful shape to the breasts and reposition the nipples and areolae. The result is something you can both see and feel right away.

Depending on the type and degree of breast sagging (ptosis), there are several surgical techniques that differ mainly in the length and pattern of the scars.

To restore shape, excess and overstretched skin must be tailored and removed. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is by excision, which inevitably leaves scars. The more excess skin there is, the longer the scars will be. Scarring is, therefore, one of the main topics we discuss in detail with every patient. A common concern is: How can we call it a cosmetic procedure if it leaves scars?

The reality is that a beautiful breast shape can only be achieved at the cost of scars, which means we must carefully weigh what matters more to the individual. Scars are generally much easier to accept in cases of more pronounced sagging.

With routine healing, scars fade over 6 to 18 months and often become almost invisible and unobtrusive. In very rare cases, scars may become pronounced if a person is prone to forming excessive (hypertrophic) scarring. A tendency toward such scars is usually apparent in earlier surgeries or prior injuries.

If a surgeon adjusts the technique solely to shorten the scar and compromises on breast shape, this usually proves to be the wrong decision quite quickly. In all techniques, we also reshape the areola, which is often enlarged in sagging breasts; we reduce it and give it a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

During the examination, we also look carefully for asymmetry or other differences between the two breasts. In the case of more pronounced asymmetry, we adapt the technique accordingly and aim to achieve as much symmetry as possible. It is important to remember that even before surgery, breasts are rarely perfectly symmetrical.

Breast lift with a scar around the areola – periareolar mastopexy

In cases of minimal sagging and where only a small elevation of the nipple–areola complex is needed, we use an incision around the areola.

Breast lift with a vertical scar – vertical mastopexy

When sagging is more pronounced and excess skin is greater, the incision is extended. It runs vertically from the areola to the inframammary fold. Although this scar is relatively visible, in practice, it tends to be the least noticeable of all breast scars.

Breast lift with an inverted-T scar

In cases of significant sagging, the scar is further extended and partially hidden in the inframammary fold. The incision resembles an inverted T or an anchor shape.

Breast lift with implant

A breast lift alone does not restore upper pole fullness. If you also wish to have a fuller décolletage, additional volume must be added – usually with an implant or with your own fat. In mild sagging, an implant alone can improve nipple position; in more pronounced sagging, a lifting technique that includes skin reshaping is necessary.

For several weeks after the surgery, we recommend wearing a sports bra that provides firm support to the breasts. Postoperative pain usually subsides quickly, except in cases where the lift is combined with implants, in which there may be a few extra days of discomfort.

After the sutures are removed, the scars should be massaged firmly to help them soften as quickly as possible. During the first few months, scars are more visible and reddish, but the colour gradually fades. Fresh scars should not be exposed to the sun, as they are more sensitive to UV light and may darken permanently.

In some cases, internal scars within the breast tissue (areas where the gland has been reshaped) can feel firmer. In such cases, we recommend lymphatic drainage or ultrasound massage to help the breasts soften more quickly.

The final shape of the breasts and the final appearance of the scars are reached only after several months. This is particularly important with the vertical scar technique, where the shape of the lower pole may initially appear somewhat unnatural and flat. Sometimes a small fold of excess skin remains at the lower part of the scar. This is a consequence of the effort to keep the scar as short as possible, especially in the inframammary fold, where most of the excess skin is removed.

In the months following the surgery, the thinned skin usually contracts considerabl,y and the excess becomes far less noticeable than during the operation. If a skin fold does not completely smooth out, it can later be corrected (under local anaesthesia). The advantage of this two-step approach is a much shorter and smaller scar.

Is breastfeeding possible after a breast lift?

In most cases, breastfeeding remains possible, but it cannot be guaranteed. We generally recommend that surgery be performed once you have completed your family, as pregnancy and hormonal changes significantly affect breast shape – including operated breasts. Most patients choose a breast lift precisely because of the changes that occur after pregnancy.

Can breasts be lifted with implants alone?

After pregnancy or significant weight loss, implants can restore lost volume and slightly elevate the breasts and nipple position. However, in cases of more pronounced sagging, implants alone cannot provide sufficient support and lift to reposition the nipples appropriately. In such situations, nipples would remain too low and point downwards, which is not characteristic of an aesthetically pleasing breast. In these cases, a breast lift is performed in combination with implants.

Can the procedure affect nipple sensation?

Nipple sensation is usually altered immediately after the procedure and during the first few weeks. In most cases, these changes are temporary.

How long-lasting are the results?

Ageing of the tissues, gravity, and weight fluctuations inevitably affect operated breasts as well. A breast lift cannot stop time. Natural changes will still occur, but thanks to the surgery they will usually be less pronounced than they would have been without it.

Where are the scars, and what do they look like?

Scars may be limited to around the areola, or they may extend vertically down to the inframammary fold, where an additional horizontal scar can be hidden. Scars are usually fine and fade over time. The surgical technique is chosen to achieve the desired result with the shortest possible scar. In some cases, however, scars simply cannot be avoided. Scarring is always discussed in detail during the preoperative consultation.