Breast Lift Indianapolis & Carmel, Indiana

A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is a surgery to remove and tighten excess tissue around the chest. The procedure aims to reposition the nipples and raise sagging breasts.

Dr. Kimberly Short and her team are Indiana’s breast enhancement experts. Read our blog to learn more about our most popular augmentation procedures.

Lift Your Chest and Feel Your Best

A mastopexy will reshape the breast mound while raising the nipple-areolar complex to a more youthful orientation.^[1] Women who seek to address sagging breasts because of lax or overstretched skin will certainly benefit from a breast lift. Some of our patients at the Gillian Institute may choose to pair their breast lift with either a Breast Augmentation or a Breast Reduction surgery to sculpt their ideal chest. There are many approaches to mastopexy depending on your goals and your anatomy.

Call (317) 787-3260 in Downtown Indy and (317) 913-3260 on the Northside to schedule your private consultation at the Gillian Institute. The Gillian Institute for Plastic, Aesthetic and Laser Surgery is the regional leader in breast enhancement. Our scores of satisfied patients say we’re “simply the breast” when it comes to no-nonsense cosmetic improvement. Dr. Kimberly Short, our founder and Chief Surgeon, strives to make our clinic a safe and welcoming environment for all who choose to include us on their aesthetic journey. Contact us to see what our team can do for you.

Candidates

Our breast lift is best suited to women who seek to improve severe drooping in their bust. Severe sagging is also known as ptosis of the breasts. Many women may see the first signs of sagging after childbirth and nursing. As time goes on, your body starts to produce less collagen. Collagen is a type of protein that keeps your skin tight, firm, plump and beautiful. And so, ptosis will often become more serious as we get older. The ideal age for a breast lift can range anywhere from 25 years old to age 50.^[2] If you are older than 50, there is a slightly reduced chance that you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Qualities of an Ideal Candidate

Stretching of the breast skin/tissue/ligaments due to pregnancy, weight loss, breastfeeding, genetics or aging
Loose skin, breast drooping or sagging, and loss of upper breast fullness
Low nipple and areola position (nipple position below the breast crease or nipple may be pointing downward)
Enlarged and/or stretched areola (the pigmented region around the nipples)
Desire for a “perkier” breast shape
Desire to wear a strapless dress without a bra

Qualities of an Ideal Candidate

Stretching of the breast skin/tissue/ligaments due to pregnancy, weight loss, breastfeeding, genetics or aging
Loose skin, breast drooping or sagging, and loss of upper breast fullness
Low nipple and areola position (nipple position below the breast crease or nipple may be pointing downward)

Enlarged and/or stretched areola (the pigmented region around the nipples)
Desire for a “perkier” breast shape
Desire to wear a strapless dress without a bra

Mastopexy Techniques

To achieve a more youthful breast appearance, the excess breast skin must be tightened and repositioned to create a rounder, firmer contour. Often, the areola area is also lifted to a more youthful orientation. Typically, there are four general types of breast lift or mastopexy techniques.^[3]

PERIAREOLAR MASTOPEXY

In a periareolar mastopexy, the incision encircles the areola. This is the simplest approach to a breast lift in which only the nipple is elevated to a higher, perkier position on the breast.

STANDARD MASTOPEXY

Standard mastopexy is also known as the lollipop or the “short scar” technique. In this approach, Dr. Short’s incisions encircle the areola and extend downward to the lower breast crease in a distinctive lollipop shape. The lollipop incision allows for strategic tightening in the inframammary crease to achieve the desired perkiness and upper pole fullness. Also, the nipples’ position is improved.

WISE PATTERN MASTOPEXY

The wise pattern is not very common. It is usually reserved for the most severe cases of ptosis. This approach may be recommended for patients who have undergone massive weight-loss

MINI-MASTOPEXY

For our younger patients who may only seek a subtle improvement, we offer a mini-mastopexy. In this approach, the incision is placed under the bosom to tighten and remove excess skin in the lower pole of the breasts.

Preparation

It is important to properly prepare for your recovery well ahead of your surgery day. At your confidential consultation, Dr. Short or a member of her team will provide you with a personalized set of pre-op instructions that are tailored to the specifics of your case. Below, we share some general guidelines to keep in mind.

TIME OFF WORK

7-10 days with lifting restrictions of less than 10 lbs for the first two to three weeks after surgery.

CAREGIVER

You will need a caregiver for the first 24 to 48 hours, post-op.

Procedure

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Typically, the procedure takes approximately two to four hours to perform, depending on the technique.^[4] Patients are required to return the day after surgery for a post-operative appointment.

Recovery & Results

You will go home with light dressings over the incision sites. Dr. Short will prescribe you a stretchy and supportive surgical bra to wear for two weeks. Skin glue adhesive or steri-strips are applied to the incisions and will remain intact for two weeks. Scar treatment options are available for your two-week appointment. Extensive taping to the breast incisions is recommended for the first six to eight weeks to prevent severe scarring. You may resume light activity after 10-14 days of recovery. You can return to aerobic activity six weeks after surgery.

ANTICIPATED RESULTS

An elevated, more round breast contour with increased firmness
Increased fullness in the upper portion of the breast
Re-establishes a “perky” appearance by tightening the skin and repositioning the nipple on the breast mound
Improved location of the nipple and areola on the breast mound
Decreased diameter of the areola

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in Indiana?

We know that our patients appreciate our straightforward approach to pricing. At the Gillian Institute, we like to keep things transparent so that our patients know exactly what to expect. Our mastopexy procedure ranges from $6,025 to $8,850, depending on the specifics of your case. To see which approach best suits you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Short or one of her esteemed team. We invite you to investigate our financing options. Watch our specials page for exclusive savings opportunities.

FAQ

WHAT’S INVOLVED IN A BREAST LIFT?

A breast lift will remove excess skin and tissue from your bosom to raise and tighten the appearance of the breasts. You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

WHAT IS A LOLLIPOP LIFT?

A lollipop lift is one of the most common breast lift techniques. It describes the distinctive incision pattern that begins at the nipple-areolar complex and reaches down to the inframammary crease to make the shape of a lollipop. The lollipop is also called the “short scar” technique or simply a “standard mastopexy,” because it is so common.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A BREAST LIFT?

Of course, the final decision to pursue plastic surgery is yours alone. But many women seek a breast lift if they notice that their nipples droop below the breast crease. A severely sagging chest is a symptom of a condition known as ptosis of the breasts. Many women are afflicted by excessive skin laxity as they grow older. More advanced cases of ptosis can be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding or dramatic fluctuations in one’s weight. Mastopexy involves excising loose skin and raising breast tissue to a perkier position. A breast lift will also reposition the nipple and areola in a more appealing trajectory. During the mastopexy, your surgeon can also reshape your nipples, as well.

References

Strasser, E. (2006). Results of subglandular versus subpectoral augmentation over time: One surgeon’s observations. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 26(1), 45–50.
Breast lift. (2018, July 21). Retrieved December 10, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-lift/about/pac-20393218.
Margulies, I. G., & Salzberg, C. A. (2019). The use of acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction: evolution of techniques over 2 decades. Gland Surgery, 8(1), 3–10.
Weichman, K., Doft, M., & Matarasso, A. (2014). The Impact of Mastopexy on Brassiere Cup Size. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 134(1). doi: 10.1097/prs.0000000000000288