Ford Plastic Surgery
410-7 St Thomas Street, Suite 410
Toronto, ON M5S 2B7
Phone: (416) 925-7337
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ford Plastic Surgery
410-7 St Thomas Street, Suite 202
Toronto, ON M5S 2B7
Phone: (416) 925-7337
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
A breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is a breast enhancement procedure that elevates and reshapes sagging breasts and areloas. It does not change breast size, although the breasts’ firmer, rounder shape may make them appear smaller.
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VIEW PHOTOSAt Ford Plastic Surgery, the cost of breast lift surgery depends on whether it includes implants and, if so, the type of implant you choose. Learn more in this blog post.
For procedure pricing, please visit our Pricing & Financing page.
*Prices exclude taxes
Breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is the most effective option for long-term lift of sagging breasts due to any of the following factors:
Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to lift and reposition the breasts and nipples, creating the very natural-looking, shapely breasts associated with youth.
Breast lift surgery is generally indicated if any of the following characteristics are present:
Although large breasts can be lifted, the results will likely not be as long-lasting as they would be for a woman with smaller breasts. Your surgeon may recommend a breast reduction if you have excessively large, heavy breasts that may not respond well to a lift alone.
With their expertise in plastic surgery, Dr. Derek Ford, Dr. Steven Hanna, and Dr. Laura Snell create attractive, natural-looking results using advanced techniques. All are Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada who provide compassionate patient care.
Sometimes, patients are not sure whether they need breast augmentation or a breast lift. While both are breast enhancement procedures, they provide different benefits.
Breast augmentation enlarges the breasts with implants or fat transfer. It does not correct moderate to significant sagging. This patient attained beautiful results from breast augmentation on its own.
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Breast lift tightens lax skin, raises the breasts on the chest, and reshapes the nipples if necessary. It does not increase breast size. This patient had a breast lift on its own.
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Many patients need a combination of breast augmentation and lift to improve the shape, placement, and size of the breasts. This patient has fuller, more shapely breasts after a breast augmentation and lift.
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Breast lift is a relatively straightforward surgery that is performed while you are under general anesthesia. Our surgeons prefer to use a short scar incision technique that leaves no horizontal scar along the breast fold. Instead, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola that may extend vertically down to the breast crease. The surgeon moves the nipple and areola to sit higher on the breast without disconnecting it from its blood supply. The surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breasts for a rounder, uplifted appearance. Finally, your surgeon closes the incisions.
Our practice offers Crisalix, a way for patients to preview their results in 3D. This adds a tangible, visual element to your planning process, giving you and your plastic surgeon a common, beautiful goal.
Learn MoreYou will return home on the day of surgery with your breasts bandaged. You’ll also wear a surgical bra to prevent tension on the incisions, minimize swelling, and support the tissues. Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions, including information about changing your bandages and caring for your incisions to prevent infection. During follow-up appointments, your surgeon gradually clears you to resume more physically demanding activities.
Here is a general timeline of recovery milestones (individual experiences may vary):
Like all surgical procedures, breast lift is not completely free of risk. However, our surgeons perform more than 300 breast procedures each year and have an excellent record of safety and patient satisfaction. During your consultation, your surgeon reviews your medical history and discusses your individual risk profile so that you can make an educated decision together.
Our surgeons often combine breast lift with other plastic surgery procedures, which commonly include:
Many women combine breast and body procedures to correct changes from pregnancy and breastfeeding. This combination is sometimes called a mommy makeover, and it provides multiple improvements with a single surgery and recovery period.
How can you tell if you need a breast lift?
Is breast lift surgery covered under OHIP?
What is the best surgery for sagging breasts?
Is a breast lift really painful?
How do I know if I need a breast lift or just implants?
If I get breast implants as part of my breast lift, will I need to replace them eventually?
Can a breast lift be done if you have implants?
Will my bra size change with a breast lift?
Is a breast lift with implants better than fat transfer?
Will I lose sensation in my nipples?
When performed by a trained professional, such as Dr. Ford, Dr. Hanna, or Dr. Snell, these complex surgeries are exceedingly safe. By following your surgeon’s care instructions before and after surgery, you can ensure a safe and comfortable process and results that last for years.
OHIP does not pay for most cosmetic surgery procedures; therefore, breast lifts are typically not covered.
A mastopexy is the most helpful surgery for sagging breasts. In this surgery, the breast mound is reshaped and lifted to give it a more youthful appearance.
Patients usually experience mild discomfort after breast lift surgery, considerably less than breast augmentation with implants placed under the chest muscles. Some patients take prescription pain medication for the first few days; many do not take it at all and are comfortable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
This depends on your goals. If you are unhappy with the shape and position of your breasts, a breast lift is often helpful. If you are unhappy with the size, implants can help increase volume.
Breast implants are not made to last forever, so you will likely need to replace them at some point. Today’s implants typically last 10 to 20 years. You may also elect to exchange implants if you want a different size or type.
A breast lift can be done if implants are already in place. Depending on goals, the implants may sometimes need to be replaced.
Although a breast lift does not remove breast tissue, many patients choose to wear a smaller bra once excess skin is removed. The breasts will sit higher and look more shapely but may appear smaller.
A breast lift with implants is useful for larger augmentations. Fat transfer is a natural alternative for small to moderate augmentations but may require multiple sessions for optimal results.
During early recovery, some nipple numbness is normal and usually fades within about 6 to 8 weeks.
Results are long-lasting when patients maintain a stable weight, do not become pregnant, and wear a bra consistently. Gravity and aging may cause future sagging depending on age at surgery.
Most surgery leaves some form of scar. As experts in aesthetic surgery, we optimize incision placement and scar care. Scars are initially visible but improve significantly over time.
If you think your breasts could use a lift, request a consultation online, or call our Toronto office at (416) 925-7337 to schedule your appointment with Ford Plastic Surgery.