Breast Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that elevates the breasts and removes excess tissue to restore a more youthful-looking appearance without significantly altering breast volume. (1) Also known as a mastopexy, this procedure is one of the most widely performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the country, with more than 154,000 procedures performed in 2024 alone. (2)
If you’re considering breast rejuvenation, Northwestern Medicine is here to help. Our team of board-certified surgeons brings years of experience assisting patients from Illinois and beyond in achieving their aesthetic goals. At our practice, both Dr. Michael A. Howard and Dr. Chad M. Teven specialize in performing breast lifts with expertise and care.
To get started at either our Glenview, Grayslake, or Lake Forest locations, please give us a call!
Contents
- 1 About Breast Lifts
- 2 Benefits
- 3 Candidates
- 4 Personal Consultation
- 5 Preparation
- 6 Procedure
- 7 Recovery
- 8 Results
- 9 Cost of Breast Lifts in the Greater Chicago Area
- 10 FAQ
- 10.1 Will a breast lift increase my cup size?
- 10.2 Will there be visible scarring after my breast lift?
- 10.3 Is there an ideal age to undergo a breast lift?
- 10.4 How long does it take to perform a breast lift?
- 10.5 Will I be able to breastfeed after a breast lift?
- 10.6 Can I combine my breast lift with another cosmetic procedure?
- 11 References
About Breast Lifts
Over time, the breasts tend to change in appearance, often due to factors such as aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, genetics, environmental factors, and more. (1) These changes can weaken the supportive structures of the breasts, causing them to sag, and may even cause the nipples to become misshapen or point downward. A breast lift enhances the contour of the chest by removing excess tissue, reinforcing the underlying support, and reshaping or repositioning the nipple-areolar complex when needed.
Benefits
There are several benefits of undergoing a breast lift, including:
- Enhanced Appearance: A breast lift can revitalize the appearance of your chest by addressing sagging breast tissue and symmetry.
- Repositioned Areolas: Our surgeons can reposition and reshape the nipple-areolar complex, resulting in a more harmonious and proportionate look.
- Improved Confidence: Many patients report an improvement in their confidence after their breast lift.
- Better Fitting Clothing: Many women find that their clothes look and fit better after their procedure, enabling a greater sense of freedom and comfort with different styles
- Customizable Treatment Plans: Your procedure will be tailored to address your unique concerns, anatomy, and goals, ensuring results that suit your unique case.
- Lasting Results: When performed by skilled, board-certified surgeons, a breast lift can provide long-lasting results, helping you enjoy a rejuvenated appearance for years to come!
Candidates
Candidates for a breast lift typically include women who:
- Have noticed sagging breasts as a result of the natural processes of aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or other factors
- Are interested in rejuvenating their breasts without significantly altering volume
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can achieve.
Breast lifts are typically not recommended for patients who:
- Have active rashes or infections
- Wish to significantly change their cup size
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (1)
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, your surgeon will ask you about your medical history, current prescriptions, concerns, and treatment goals. They will also evaluate your breasts to determine the best path forward.
After gathering the necessary information, your surgeon will determine your eligibility and develop your treatment plan. They will recommend the most effective surgical strategy to help you achieve your goals and tailor certain aspects of your procedure to address each of your concerns. Throughout the consultation, they will also answer any questions you may have.
To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please give us a call.
Preparation
During your consultation, you will receive a set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. These instructions are tailored to your specific treatment plan and are designed to ensure a safe procedure and successful recovery.
Guidelines typically include the following considerations:
- Refrain from taking medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties
- Avoid alcohol and nicotine use
- Arrange transportation home
- Take sufficient time away from work and other responsibilities
Procedure
Our surgeons perform breast lifts on an outpatient basis; procedure durations may vary, but a breast lift typically takes two to three hours. Before beginning the procedure, a board-certified anesthesiologist will place you under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will then make the incisions necessary for your breast lift. There are several incision patterns; the one they use during your procedure will be determined during your consultation based on your needs.
The incision patterns include:
- Crescent Mastopexy: A small crescent-shaped incision is made at the bottom of the nipple-areolar complex. This technique naturally hides any scarring within the pigmented tissue of the areola, and it is reserved for patients with milder ptosis. (3)
- Circumareolar Mastopexy: This incision fully encircles the areolas. (1) This technique is often reserved for those requiring minimal corrections and, like the crescent approach, hides any visible scarring within the borders of the areolas.
- Vertical Mastopexy: Also known as a lollipop incision, this pattern encircles the areola and extends downward toward the breast crease. This technique provides a greater amount of lift while also allowing for more structural support improvements. (1)
- The Wise Pattern: The Wise pattern, also known as the anchor incision, is best for more significant levels of ptosis. This technique builds off of the vertical mastopexy, placing a third incision along the breast crease. (3)
Recovery
After your breast lift, you can expect to experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness. These effects are temporary and will gradually dissipate on their own, but they may also be managed using prescribed pain medications and by following aftercare instructions.
Throughout your recovery, you will wear a surgical bra provided by our team. This garment is designed to help minimize swelling and protect the breasts.
Most patients can return to work after about one to two weeks, but should refrain from participating in more strenuous activities until cleared.
You will attend prescheduled follow-up appointments as you recover so that your surgical team can monitor your recovery and ensure that results are developing optimally.
Results
You may be able to notice a difference in the appearance of your breasts immediately after your procedure, but the full results will be more apparent after you heal. You will be able to enjoy the appearance and feel of perkier, youthful-looking breasts and a more proportionate silhouette. Patients often find that their confidence regarding their appearance greatly improves as well, and they feel more empowered to wear certain clothing styles and garments.
The results of a breast lift are designed to last for several years, but they should be paired with healthy lifestyle habits to maintain their longevity.
Cost of Breast Lifts in the Greater Chicago Area
The cost of your breast lift can vary depending on the surgical techniques used, the extent of correction, whether or not any additional procedures are performed, as well as a handful of other factors. Once the details of your treatment plan are established during your consultation, your surgeon will provide a comprehensive cost estimate.
FAQ
Will a breast lift increase my cup size?
A breast lift will reshape and lift your breasts, but it will not significantly alter their size or fullness. However, the breasts may appear firmer due to the removal of excess skin. If you are interested in enhancing the volume of your breasts, we recommend considering breast augmentation as an alternative or corresponding procedure.
Will there be visible scarring after my breast lift?
As with any surgical procedure, there will be some scarring after your recovery. Scarring typically fades over time, and in many cases, it can be concealed under your clothing, bra, or swimwear.
Is there an ideal age to undergo a breast lift?
While there is no specific recommended age associated with this procedure, the majority of patients who choose to receive a breast lift are between the ages of 30 and 69. (2) Age is not a determining factor, however, and we encourage all patients experiencing breast ptosis to attend a personal consultation to review their options.
How long does it take to perform a breast lift?
The exact duration of your procedure will vary depending on the details of your treatment plan, but a breast lift typically takes between two to three hours to perform. The exact timing will be discussed with you during your personal consultation.
Will I be able to breastfeed after a breast lift?
Most women can successfully breastfeed after their procedure, but receiving a breast lift may affect this ability. We ask that any breastfeeding concerns be discussed with your surgeon during your personal consultation, so that this may be taken into account when designing your treatment plan.
Can I combine my breast lift with another cosmetic procedure?
Yes, many patients choose to combine their breast lift to achieve more dramatic and comprehensive results. For further information on combined treatments, we ask that you schedule a personal consultation.
References
- Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610682/#article-162183.s3
- ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
- Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057