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How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 3,799 times
Tags: duration, last, nursing, twins

I am almost done with nursing my twins babies (halleluia!). It has taken quite a toll and I would like to get a breast lift, but I am wondering how long the surgery would be effective.
I'm not planning to, but what if I had another baby? Would the breast lift hold up? If I didn't have any more kids, how many years could I expect the effect of the breast lift to last?

36 answers to How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

+5

Breast Lift Duration

Congratulations!!! The duration of a breast lift surgery is dependent on several factors including your own body, your lifestlye, and the type of breast lift performed. The surgery could very easily last 10 - 20 years. However, like with all other plastic surgery procedures, the board certified plastic surgeon can better answer that question after clearly understanding during the consultation process your needs, desires, medical condition, medical history, and lifestyle. more
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Longevity of current breast lifting techniques

Hi Anon, Great question! First of all, it's always best to hold off having any type of cosmetic breast procedure until done with child bearing and breast feeding. Breast changes during these events are most unpredictable. I've been a plastic surgeon for almost 20yrs. I grew tired of the standard anchor technique which left women with undesirable long term results. In my quest to improve this major defect, I found that by transferring the weight of the breast to... more
Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.horndeski.com

+2

Breast Lift After Breast Feeding

Pregnancy causes many changes in the breast, many of which are not predictable. With pregnancy the breasts enlarge, and the skin stretches. After pregnancy the breast gland atrophies and the skin may not shrink.  If you are just finishing breast feeding, you would be better to wait before having a breast lift. Waiting 3 to 6 months after the milk has dried up is recommended to prevent problems with healing. Waiting a year is probably best to see what shape the breasts will take.... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+2

Results from breast lift

Some patients are under the impression that plastic surgery prevents you from aging.  This is not the case.  Plastic surgery and rejuvenating procedures will set back the clock, but the clock keeps ticking.  The effects of gravity over time and loosing of you skin will result in changes.  However, you will look and feel much better with the lift than without out.  Please make sure you are seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your surgery.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Possible augmentation as well

A breast lift can last for an extended period of time. More importantly, you want to make sure that a breast lift is the right procedure for you. After nursing two children breasts can look deflated, in this case patients sometimes choose to have a breast augmentation and a breast lift. The augmentation will give the breasts the fullness they lost when nursing and the lift will reconstruct the way the breasts looked before children. Go to several surgical consultations and speak to the... more
Joseph G. Bauer, MD

Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon
+2

In general, it is always best to wait until you are done...

In general, it is always best to wait until you are done having children before having a breast lift. Future pregnancies can stretch the result out and cause you to need to undergo another lift. Otherwise, a well performed lift usually lasts forever in terms of the nipple and areola staying up above the level of the inframammary crease. The breast may lose volume with time and need an implant to fill out the lost volume. The keys to preserving the lift really lie in the nature of your... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift Results Longevity

Breast Lift Results Last a Long Time A breast lift is like turning back the hands of time - but the clock keeps ticking. That means many patients will always benefit from this procedure. There are certain factors that accelerate the breast aging process after this procedure (or even if you don't have surgery) They include:Very large and heavy breasts (with or without implants), fare skin with significant sun damage, smokers, stretch marks, large weight gains and losses, not wearing a... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift results can last long time.

You should wait at least 6 months after you stop breast feeding before having a breast lift.  This will allow the breasts to shrink to their normal size from their pregnancy induced engorgement.  The basic principles behind a breast lift are to: 1) Elevate the nipple and areolar to the correct position and reduce the size of the areolar if needed.  2) Reduce the size of the skin envelope of the breast by resecting skin only and tucking the breast tissue up inside this... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long does a breast lift last?

Such a good question. So hard to answer. What type of surgery was done to lift? Some involve more internal surtures and reshaping than others. I feel the vertical lollipop scar lift does this better than the anchor inferior pedicle lift or the donut periareolar lift. What is your breast made of?  Breasts are made of fat and breast tissue.  The more breast tissue, the better it tends to hold my lift. Are you at your goal weight? If you lose weight, the breasts will... more
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Long Does Breast Lift Last?

Congratulations on your twins! I would advise waiting at least 3 months after you have finished nursing before having your evaluation for breast lift. It is important to allow your breasts adequate time to recover from the hormone effects of pregnancy and nursing. The duration of results from breast lift vary with each person: how your skin will age plays an important role.  Other factors include weight gain and loss, sun exposure, smoking, illness. Clearly you... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+1

How long does a breast lift last

This is difficult to answer as your breast shape can vary depending on a variety of factors such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, aging, exercise, etc.  Ideally you would have a breast lift (mastopexy) after you have completed having your children and/or breast feeding.  If you final breast size is not too large, you can expect many years of a nicer, fuller shape after a mastopexy. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if you are a good... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift results

The results of a breast lift (mastopexy) can last a very long time.  But there are many factors that can affect that period of time:  1) Future pregnancy : Women's breasts change significantly during pregnancy even without breastfeeding.  These changes (increase in size with increased milk production) lead to stretching of the skin which leads to sagging.  So pregnancy after a breast lift can definitely have a negative effect on the results.  These... more
Naveen Setty, MD

Plano Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift results are permanent!

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy! Before considering any surgery on your breasts, you should have stopped breastfeeding for at least 4-6 months - to allow for your breasts to fully settle and any atrophy (shrinkage of the breast tissue) to occur. A breast lift will rearrange the breast tissue, and reshape the breasts to a perkier and more aesthetic shape. The nipple and areola is lifted to a higher position, and the areola diameter is often also reduced. Results... more
Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Long lasting results from breast lift

Breast lifting reshapes and repositions sagging breasts, and may be combined with implants for additional volume. Results may last for 10 or more years, although some changes in the breasts are to be expected with subsequent pregnancy and breastfeeding. Along with the effects of gravity, normal changes in breast tissue will eventually cause some differences in the appearance of the breasts after many years.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift surgery can last for ever

Breast lift surgery, known as Mastopexy, can last forever if you take care of them.  Like everything in life, care and planning is everything.   Once you have the surgery, you should always support your breast with a good sports or medical bra especially when jogging and or working out.   Avoid gaining and losing weight.   If you are planning on having more children, I would suggest that you wait until it has arrived.  I tell all my patients after breast augmentation... more
Gary H. Manchester, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift results can last years

Breast lift surgery can be performed in many ways. A technique used at our clinic involves reshaping the breast and suspending it in such a way as to prevent the descent of the breast tissue. With this approach your results should last many years. Gravity will always be pulling down on them and there is no way to avoid it unless you live your life upside down...
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

+1

Long term results after breast lift or mastopexy.

A breast lift or mastopexy is a common surgical procedure designed to recontour the skin and shape of the breast.  The long term results of breast lifts depend on the volume of breast tissue, the propensity for ptosis, and the resiliency of the skin. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Perky breasts forever?

Like many women,  and especially new mothers, you may feel anxious and impatient about having surgery.  But for the the best result and to minimize the complication rate you should wait several months after cessation of breast feeding before having any breast surgery.  Your breasts may continue to change during this period and you may still be losing some of your pregnancy weight.  The longevity of a breast lift will certainly vary from patient to patient and also be... more
Sean A. Simon, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift after Pregnancy

Congratulations on your new children! Im sure they are beautiful. Before you get a breast lift I would agree with Dr. Pazmino, you should wait 4-6 months so your body can recover naturally for a little while. There are many women who are not sure if they will have another child but get breast lifts, find a surgeon you are comfortable with, discuss your optiohns. But wait a few months first.
Kimberly A. Henry, MD

Greenbrae Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

Breast lifts are performed for breasts that have a reasonable size, but saggy skin and skin support ligaments. These breasts have already shown that they have a tendency for the skin to stretch- which is the main factor that will set them up for re-stretching. Also, many patients with sagging breasts have lost significant breast volume, from aging, pregnancy or weight loss. These patients will probably require placement of an implant so that their breasts don't look like an... more
Karen Vaniver, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift duration

1- Different technique last different amounts of time. 2-Techniques that lift and reshape breast tissue- not breast skin last longest! 3-Any technique that excises skin for the lift will recur and leave scars that last much longer than the lift! 4-Lejour Breast lifts leave a perky, long-lasting result. - lollipop scar. 5-Goes technique leaves a nice lifted look for those modest sagging breasts - areolar scar.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.breastenlargement.net

+1

Breast lift results can be long lasting

You already know that pregnancy and breast feeding often changes the size and shape of your breasts, but a breast lift (mastopexy) can help restore contour. Bear in mind: 1. Future pregnancies and nursing will change the shape of your breasts again, but not necessarily to the same extent. 2. Results are, in a sense, permanent, however not cast in stone. The aging process continues and gravity will always work against us. Having a lift should have the effect of turning back the clock,... more
Elizabeth Lee, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

artfulsurgery.com

+1

Breast lift results

You have some very good questions and common concerns. A breast lift (mastopexy) can rejuvenate your breasts and restore the volume and shape to something possibly even better than your appearance before pregnancy. There are terrific techniques that can give you wonderful results with and without the use of implants to add volume. It is common to lose some volume after pregnancy (particularly after breast feeding) so patients most often benefit from the addition of an implant to replace the... more
Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift after breast-feeding

  Congratulations on your new babies! At this time, it is best to focus on taking care of your beautiful new children. As you have noticed, your body has gone through significant changes from the pregnancy and the subsequent breast-feeding. It is best to wait at least 4 to 6 months after you have completed breast-feeding to consider breast surgery. When choosing a surgeon be sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience in the breast lift techniques.... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

A breast lift will last a life time

A breast lift returns the nipple areola to a position centered on the breast.  Many patient will also need a breast augmentation to complete the rejuvenation of the breast. A breast lift without an implant will not have a full upper part of the breast. The lift and augmantation can often be done at the same time. A consultation with a board certified Plastic Surgeon is required to determine the best course for you.
Ralph M. Rosato, MD

Vero Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift results

A full lift is a very powerful surgery, and the results can last at least 10-20 years without a problem.  However, if you have children again, then there is a chance that your breast tissue/skin will stretch out and not bounce back again.  In those cases, sometimes you need a revision lift after everything has settled again.
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift longevity

This varies depending upon how much lifting you have done (there are different types of lifts) and whether or not you place implants. Implants (especially large ones) put more weight into the breast and can promote additional sagging sometimes quickly after surgery. Best Regards.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift lasts a long time unless

A breast lift is usually a once in a lifetime operation. If you choose to have another pregnancy, much of the improvement might be undone. Major weight fluctuations can reproduce sagging breasts. Avoiding support of the breasts (a bra) will eventually see the breasts head south.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift works but the breasts will continue to age

As expressed by several authors, it is hard to pin point the number of years, because your breast will continue to age with you! If you thinking about another child soon, it might be better to wait on the surgery.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lifts last, but can be affected by pregnancy and weight changes

Everybody is different, and so your question is a bit hard to answer. I can tell you that with another pregnancy, or even weight changes, a previously lifted breast can droop again and require another operation. If you do get your breasts lifted, you can think of this as a re-setting of time. As you age, your tissue will become more relaxed, and your breasts (and your face, and the tissue around your arms, etc...) will sag more and more. Should you want this addressed at a later date,... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Results of a mastopexy procedure

The results of a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure can vary from patient to patient depending on the severity and complexity of the case. it would be more wise to proceed with surgery once you are done having children. Unfortunately, pregnancy, aging and gravity are all factors which may affect the results of your breast lift. The most important part of you surgery is finding a board certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure to ensure you are in good hands.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift results longevity

The duration of the results of a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) are dependent on you, your skin and the surgical breast technique used. First, there is NO point in undergoing a Mastopexy if you are going to become pregnant again. Each cycle of breast distention with pregnancy leads to stretching of the skin followed by breast emptying will lead to breast sagging. It is best to wait until you are done. As regards patient related factors, the thinner the skin, the more damaged it is (stretch marks,... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Duration of breast lift

Breast lifting is a great operation because it permanently gets rid of the extra sagging skin that women tend to develop on their breasts. Although the change is permanent (with great results ten years out), your breasts will continue to age even after surgery. During pregnancy and lactation, women's breasts do enlarge quite a bit to accommodate milk production. This process can stretch out the skin again, even if you have had a mastopexy previously. For this reason, it is usually best to... more
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mastopexy

SEE VIDEO of Breast lift without implants: A breast lift will generally last as long as there are no major changes in the shape and volume of the breast. The major events that cause a change include pregnancy, weight gain/loss, and menopause. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift options

A breast lift may last several years depending on your level of activity and the size of your breasts. The more active you are the more gravity will pull on your breast tissue. Also, with large breasts the weight of the breast tissue will also add to the recurrent sagginess after a lift. Having more children will likely cause your lift to not last as long as the waxing and waning of your breast size after lactating will add to the breasts sagging. Good luck!
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

If you are planning to have more children, I would...

If you are planning to have more children, I would probably wait to have a breast lift. The lasting effects of a breast lift really vary from patient to patient. Over time, the breast will sag. Several factors influence the change in breast shape. Some of these factors include skin elasticity quality, age, weight changes, and pregnancy. I use the analogy of a balloon. When the balloon is filled with air the balloon skin stretches. When the air gradualy leaks out, the balloon deflates... more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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