What Breast Lift Surgery Can Achieve
Changes associated with ageing, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight fluctuation can cause the breasts to lose firmness and sit lower on the chest.
A breast lift or mastopexy, raises and reshapes sagging breasts by tightening the skin envelope and improving breast position, projection and contour.
The procedure can restore a more youthful breast shape, improve symmetry and enhance overall breast aesthetics without significantly changing breast volume.
Your Surgical Journey
Your surgical journey begins with a personalised consultation with Dr Collins at The Surgery. This is an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations and to develop a carefully considered surgical plan tailored specifically to you.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, with the technique selected based on your anatomy and the degree of lift required.
A breast lift can be performed on its own or in combination with other procedures such as a breast augmentation, fat grafting or body contouring surgery.
Recovery and Aftercare
For the first two weeks after your breast lift surgery, you should avoid activities that involve lifting your arms above shoulder height to minimise strain on the healing incisions. You will be asked to wear a supportive bra day and night for three weeks.
Dr Collins’ scar management protocol is an important part of recovery and supports the best possible aesthetic outcome. Depending on the nature of your work, you may require one to two weeks away to recover.
Is Breast Lift Surgery Right for You?
You may be suitable for a breast lift if your concerns include sagging breasts, loss of shape, a low nipple position or asymmetry and you are otherwise happy with your breast volume.
A personalised consultation with Dr Collins allows for a comprehensive assessment of your anatomy and goals, with discussion of whether a breast lift alone or a combined procedure is most appropriate for you.
Breast Lift in Dunedin with Dr Anne Collins
Frequently Asked Questions
A breast lift involves removing excess skin and reshaping the underlying breast tissue to create firmer breasts with improved contour. The nipple-areola complex is usually resized and repositioned to a higher, more natural position to suit the new breast shape. In some cases, a small amount of breast tissue may also be removed to refine shape or correct asymmetry.
In most breast lift procedures, the nipple-areola complex is resized and repositioned to achieve a lifted, balanced, and natural-looking result. Nipple position and blood supply are carefully considered as part of the surgical technique, with a strong focus on maintaining nipple viability and symmetry.
In the majority of cases, nipple sensation is preserved. Temporary changes in sensation can occur and usually improve overtime. Permanent changes are uncommon but possible and are discussed during your consultation.
Preparing well is an important part of achieving the best possible outcome. During your consultation, your medical history, anatomy, goals, and expectations are reviewed to help plan your surgery safely and effectively.
The best results are achieved when your weight has been stable and within a healthy range for approximately three months prior to surgery. Patients must be nicotine-free for at least six weeks before surgery, including smoking, vaping, and nicotine replacement products, as nicotine significantly impairs wound healing.
Most patients stay in hospital for one night.This allows for appropriate monitoring, pain management, and comfort during the early recovery period.
Yes. A mastopexy may be combined with breast augmentation (augmentation mastopexy), fat grafting, or body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty or liposuction, depending on your goals.
Yes. Fat grafting may be an option. This involves harvesting fat from another area of your body using liposuction and transferring it to the breasts to improve shape, contour, and symmetry without the use of implants.
Initially after surgery, your breasts may feel firm and sit higher on your chest. Swelling is expected. Over the following weeks and months, the breasts gradually soften and settle into a more natural shape and position.
Allowing yourself time to heal is an important part of recovery. For the first two weeks after surgery, you should avoid activities that involve lifting your arms above shoulder height to minimise strain on healing incisions. You will be asked to wear a supportive bra day and night for the first three weeks, followed by daytime wear for a further three weeks.
The incision pattern depends on the degree of lift required and may include scars around the areola, vertically down the breast, and horizontally along the natural curve of the breast. Scars are initially red and more noticeable but typically fade and soften over 12–18 months. Following the recommended scar management protocol supports optimal healing and aesthetic outcome.
No. Dissolvable sutures are used.
Most patients return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the nature of their role. Jobs involving heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity may require a longer period away, with such activities avoided for approximately six weeks.
Driving is usually safe to resume after about one week, once you can comfortably perform all necessary movements and an emergency stop without discomfort.
Gentle walking is encouraged early in recovery. More strenuous or high-impact exercise should be avoided for approximately six weeks to protect your surgical result. Dr Collins will provide a personalised return-to-exercise plan tailored to you.
A breast lift is a well-established procedure. As with all surgery, there are risks involved. These include pain, bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, adverse scarring, seroma, haematoma, asymmetry, changes in nipple sensation, the potential need for revision surgery, and, rarely, partial or complete loss of the nipple-areola complex. These risks are discussed in detail during your consultation.
A breast lift is designed to provide long-lasting improvement in breast shape and position. Over time, factors such as ageing, gravity, pregnancy, and weight fluctuation may influence breast appearance. Some patients may consider revision surgery at a later stage, depending on their goals and circumstances.
Yes. Surgical outcomes vary between individuals and depend on factors such as anatomy, tissue quality, healing response, and adherence to post-operative care. Expected outcomes, risks, and limitations are discussed as part of the informed consent process.
Online Enquiry
We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please complete your details below.