“How long does a breast lift last?”

This is one of the first things patients ask when they come into our office for a breast lift consultation. And it’s a great question.

After all, if you’re going to undergo elective surgery to improve the appearance of your breasts, you naturally want to know that your breast lift results won’t fade away in a short amount of time.

Answering this question, however, is not as simple as asking it.

That’s because breast lift results vary from person to person. Ultimately, how long your breast lift results will last depends on a list of factors, including how well you care for your incision sites and scars during your breast lift recovery time, the elasticity of your skin, what type of breast support you wear, and how well you maintain your weight after surgery.

Below, we take a closer look at how long breast lifts typically last, and we offer some advice for maximizing the life expectancy of your breast lift results.

How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

Again, there is no set period of time that a breast lift will last. Ideally, a patient will benefit from her breast lift results for at least ten to fifteen years. But this is not a guarantee. Furthermore, it’s difficult to define what “lasting” really means when it comes to breast lift results.

Over time, gravity causes everything on the body to droop. Skin becomes increasingly stretched out and thin with natural aging, and some sagging of the breasts will be inevitable. The good news is that most patients can easily have revision breast lift surgery if they notice their breast lift results disappearing as the years go on. There are also some things you can do now and in the future that can help preserve the results from your breast lift for as long as possible.

How to Make Your Breast Lift Last Longer

One of the best ways to ensure that your breast lift results will last is to maintain your weight after surgery. This doesn’t mean you have to weigh exactly the same number of pounds every day for the rest of your life. Rather, it means that you should aim to stay in a healthy weight range. Gaining too much weight all at once or losing a significant amount of weight may alter the distribution of fat and positioning of tissue in your breasts, ultimately changing your results.

Another way to ensure lasting breast lift results is to take care of your skin. Avoid exposing your skin to the sun, use moisturizers, and consider starting to take natural vitamin C and vitamin E supplements. You want to maintain good skin elasticity so as to counteract the naturally stretching and thinning of the skin due to aging.

Finally, wear a good bra every day. Routinely-worn proper breast support can keep your breasts from sagging too quickly. Find bras that fit snuggly but comfortably and that are easy to put on and take off.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lifts

How much does it cost to lift your breast?

It’s not easy to answer this question with a set price because there are often varying factors, but generally speaking, patients can expect to pay around $5,000 for a straightforward breast lift surgery without the addition of implants.

Is breast lifting permanent?

Yes, breast lift surgery is permanent in that incisions are made, and excess breast tissue is permanently removed. However, your breasts will not look permanently the same for the rest of your life.

Over time, gravity will naturally cause your breasts to sag and droop more. If this bothers you in years to come, you always have the option of getting revision breast lift surgery to help you maintain a more youthful appearance.

How long does it take for nipples to heal after breast lift surgery?

The nipples are usually repositioned to a higher location on the breasts in breast lift surgery. This not only necessitates incisions, skin removal, and stitches or sutures, but it also means that you may lose some sensation in your nipples after the procedure. Generally speaking, this only lasts for up to six to eight weeks.

You’ll notice significant changes in your breast lift recovery week by week, so don’t fret if you don’t have a lot of sensation in your nipples right away; it should come back. Likewise, your incisions should heal up nicely in about two to four weeks with good aftercare. Most patients are able to return to work in one to two weeks, and other regular activities can usually start after the two-week mark. Total healing and the reduction of all swelling may take several more months.

How long does breast lift with implants last?

Most patients will see steady results from their breast lift for at least ten to fifteen years. If you only get breast implants, you should expect them to last anywhere from ten to twenty years before they need to be removed. Therefore, it stands to reason that most breast lift with implants surgeries will last at least ten years.

Again, this is not a guarantee, however. All surgeries and all patients are unique.

What is a non surgical breast lift?

A non surgical breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that aims to lift and tighten the breasts without the need for incisions. This is a new set of techniques in the world of cosmetic surgery. While the results may not be as profound as those created with traditional breast lift surgery, many patients like that non surgical breast lifts don’t require incisions or lengthy healing times.

Considering Breast Lift Surgery?

Dr. Ashley Steinberg

Although breast lift surgery is often performed on its own, it can also be paired with other breast surgeries such as breast implants or fat transfer breast augmentation. Depending on your desired results and current anatomy, Dr. Steinberg can help you determine what single or combination surgeries would be best for you.

To learn more about how long does a breast lift last, schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Steinberg today.