
Breast Lift Surgery in Raleigh, NC
Youthful, desirable breasts involve more than size. It also involves the tightness and perkiness of the breasts — regardless of your cup volume.
Changes such as pregnancy, weight changes, and aging all contribute to sagging breasts. A customized breast lift procedure repositions the breasts naturally, according to your natural anatomy and goals, to help you achieve a firmer, more youthful-looking figure while maintaining your natural cup size.
Specialists in Plastic Surgery is a cosmetic surgery practice that provides personalized breast lift (mastopexy) procedures at our Raleigh, North Carolina, surgery center.
Why Should You Choose Specialists in Plastic Surgery for Your Breast Lift?
Our practice is known throughout North Carolina for providing the highest quality breast surgeries, including reductions, revisions, reconstruction, lifts, and a wide range of breast augmentation options designed to meet or exceed your expectations.
Other physicians in Raleigh frequently refer patients who are looking for breast surgery to our board-certified plastic surgeons. We are called upon so often because of our skill and over 75 years of combined experience in cosmetic plastic surgery.


Before & After Photo Gallery
Photo GalleryIs a Breast Lift Right for You?
If you are unhappy with the position or appearance of your breasts for any reason and you are a healthy non-smoker, then you may be a candidate for breast lift surgery.
This procedure can help treat:
- Sagging breasts
- Skin irritations caused by breasts that rub against the top of the rib cage
- Breasts that have lost firmness
- Deflated-appearing breasts (a breast augmentation is also required to restore volume, if desired)
- Large or irregularly shaped areolas
- Downward pointing nipples
- Areolas positioned below the breast crease
If you are a smoker who is considering a breast lift, you will be asked to quit for at least two weeks before and after your surgery.
Ideally, you should not be planning any more pregnancies as this can impact the longevity of the results.
What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is designed to give your breasts a more youthful, natural appearance and provide these advantages:
- Raises breast position
- Tightens breast tissue
- Improves contour
- Maintains cup size
While breast lift surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure, it is commonly performed alongside other breast enhancement surgeries,
- Adding a breast lift when receiving breast augmentation can ensure the implants rest in a higher position while adding volume.
- A breast lift is performed alongside breast reduction to ensure that the newly reduced breasts remain tight and perky.
A breast lift is often chosen during breast revision treatments, particularly when implants are removed and not replaced.
Get a Preview of Your Results With VECTRA® 3D Imaging
During your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, our innovative VECTRA® 3D imaging technology will be used to help design the look you desire. Six photos are captured simultaneously, and from that, the computer creates a 3D image that can be manipulated for exceptional views of your potential results.
Learn more about breast lift surgery and how you can benefit by booking a consultation above or calling Specialists in Plastic Surgery, your Raleigh breast lift provider, at (919) 785-0505.
How Should You Prepare for Breast Lift Surgery?
Like any surgical procedure, you’ll need to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, blood thinners, as well as other medicines and supplements that may thin the blood for a few days or weeks before your procedure.
If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks before and after your surgery, as smoking constricts the blood vessels, and this can hinder incision healing and increase the potential for surgical complications. You can expect to review these instructions during your consultation.
How Is a Breast Lift Performed?
The first step is your consultation:
This is when you can express all your cosmetic concerns and learn more about your procedure options. Our board-certified plastic surgeon will develop a custom treatment plan to address your unique needs.
Specialists in Plastic Surgery perform breast lift surgery under general or local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. An anchor incision is typically made, starting around the areola, extending down to the crease, and extending underneath the breast. Modified incision options may be available for women with minimal sagging.
Excess skin is removed from the bottom of the breast, and the nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher location on the breast. When possible, the nipple and areola will remain attached to the underlying breast tissue, reducing the risk of sensation loss.
We will help you determine which technique is best for you based on your degree of breast sagging.
Can I Combine a Breast Lift With Other Procedures?
Women commonly combine breast lift and enhancement surgeries with other body contouring procedures.
Common procedures include:
- Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty)
- Liposuction on the lower abdomen or flanks
- Mommy Makeover surgery (which combines all of the above)
If you’d like to combine procedures and target multiple areas at once, discuss this with your plastic surgeon during your consultation, and they can create an expanded treatment plan for you.
We never advise undergoing surgical and non-surgical procedures at the same time. If you are looking for both, your treatments will be scheduled separately.
After Your Breast Lift
What Is Recovery Like for Breast Lift Surgery?
Recovery after breast lift surgeries does not typically involve any extended downtime, but you may be unable to return to your normal day-to-day routine for up to a week (or longer if you underwent a combination procedure). Ask your surgeon when you can resume exercise or strenuous activities.
After surgery, the incisions are bandaged. Temporary surgical drains may also be placed to collect fluid buildup.
You will be placed into a compression garment to help with swelling. You will need to wear this and a support bra for the first several weeks of recovery to promote healing and minimize swelling.
Initial swelling will contribute to some discomfort or tightness in the chest and can be treated with medication. Bandages will be removed in a few days.
Recovery times vary. Normal activities are usually resumed in about a week and more strenuous activity in three to six weeks.
After that, your breasts will still need to be protected from impact and sun exposure for several months. Incision lines will fade and flatten over 12 to 18 months.
What Risks Are Associated With Breast Lift Surgery?
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with breast lift surgery. Potential adverse events may include:
- Discomfort
- Infection
- Changes in sensitivity
- Asymmetry
These risks, and steps you can take to minimize them, will be discussed in detail during your consultation.

When Will I See My Results?
You will see visible changes in your breasts immediately. However, the swelling and bruising will make it difficult for you to see the final outcome of your procedure. This is a normal part of the healing process and is generally not cause for concern.
Much clearer results will be apparent about two weeks following the surgery. Incision scars will fade over the following 12 to 18 months.
Have More Questions About Breast Lift?
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You may be surprised to know that breast surgery is not considered to be overly painful to recover from. In fact, many patients only require over-the-counter medicines to control their discomfort.
You can expect to feel a little bit of soreness, and some patients report that it feels like they are recovering from an intense upper body workout.
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Every woman undergoing breast lift surgery will have a different level of laxity and desires. This is why plastic surgery procedures are tailored to the patient. Because of that, however, it is not easy to estimate the exact price of your surgery before your consultation.
Breast lift cost will vary depending on the extent of the procedure, any surgeries being performed in combination, and external fees like facility fees, anesthesia fees, and surgeon fees. Our team will be happy to provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation.
Financing options are available to assist you in paying for your plastic surgery.
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Surgeons usually recommend cosmetic breast surgery after you are done having children. This is because pregnancy can cause breasts to lose firmness as they prepare for nursing. However, it is not always the case after a breast lift.
If you do get pregnant after a breast lift, it’s difficult to predict how your breast tissue will respond, as all women are unique. Your skin’s elasticity will impact your lifted breasts’ response to pregnancy, and many women remain satisfied with their results after childbirth.
When it comes to breastfeeding, many women can nurse after having breast lift surgery; however, there is no guarantee as the milk ducts may be damaged during the procedure. While this aspect will likely be discussed during your consultation, if it is a concern, be sure to mention it during your consultation.
Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation in Raleigh, NC
Our plastic surgeons have over 75 years of combined experience in cosmetic plastic surgery. If you’re ready to learn more about breast lift surgery, please schedule a consultation by filling out our provided contact form or calling us today at (919) 785-0505.