01What is a breast lift (mastopexy)?
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is the procedure that raises a bust that has dropped through skin laxity, without changing its volume. It firms the breasts, fills out the hollow at the top of the cleavage and repositions the areola to restore a more youthful, harmonious shape — an answer to a situation that is often difficult to live with.
The procedure is aimed at women whose breasts are sagging, with the areola and nipple pointing downwards (breast ptosis), causing aesthetic discomfort. Ptosis most often appears after one or more pregnancies, breastfeeding, a significant change in weight or simply with age; a breast lift can be performed from the end of puberty onwards. Depending on the volume and the degree of laxity, two approaches are possible — in both cases the procedure leaves scars, which fade over time:
- The breast lift without implants: when the breast has dropped only slightly or its volume is sufficient, the surgeon concentrates the gland, removes the excess skin and redrapes the skin envelope. If the patient has large breasts causing back pain, the lift can be combined with a breast reduction.
- The breast lift with implants: when the breast has dropped considerably, when the volume is insufficient or when the patient wishes to gain fullness, the procedure is combined with a breast augmentation using an implant. In some mild cases of ptosis, fitting an implant alone is enough to reshape the bust without tightening the skin: this is known as a « scarless ptosis correction ».
02Breast ptosis: causes and diagnosis
Breast ptosis is the gradual sagging of the breast that a breast lift sets out to correct. Over time, the bust loses its tone: the areola is drawn downwards and the upper part of the cleavage appears to empty out, beneath a stretched envelope of skin. While it can appear as early as adolescence (congenital ptosis), it is most often worsened by pregnancies, breastfeeding, a significant change in weight (often weight loss) or the ageing of the tissues. It may be accompanied by hypertrophy (too much volume) or hypoplasia (breasts that lack volume).
The diagnosis is confirmed when the areola and nipple reach the level of, or below, the inframammary fold; the « pencil test » (a pencil slid under the breast that stays held in place) demonstrates it simply. To assess its severity, surgeons refer to the Regnault classification, an international reference with three grades — useful for choosing, together with the surgeon, the most suitable technique:
- Mild ptosis (grade I): the nipple sits at the level of the inframammary fold;
- Moderate ptosis (grade II): the nipple drops below the fold, but stays above the lower pole of the breast;
- Severe ptosis (grade III): the nipple occupies the lowest point of the breast and points towards the ground.
The term pseudoptosis is used when the areola stays well positioned but the gland, « emptied » from below, drops beneath the fold — common after breastfeeding or weight loss.
03The incision techniques for a breast lift
Depending on the extent of the ptosis and the amount of skin to be removed, the surgeon chooses one of the three reference incisions — from the most discreet to the most extensive:
- Periareolar incision (round block): around the areola, reserved for mild ptosis and the correction of asymmetry or tuberous breasts;
- Vertical incision (« lollipop »): around the areola then vertically down to the fold, for moderate ptosis;
- « Inverted-T » incision: periareolar, vertical then horizontal within the inframammary fold. This is the most common technique and the one that gives the best morphological result for significant ptosis.
04Scars, results and insurance coverage
Because a breast lift requires fairly extensive incisions, healing takes time: the scars are visible at first, then fade markedly, and the final result can be appreciated after about a year. Regular massage and the use of silicone dressings improve their quality; sun exposure should be avoided during the first year.
As a plastic surgery procedure, a breast lift is in principle not covered by French national health insurance. A contribution may nonetheless be possible when it is combined with a breast reduction removing at least 300 g of gland per breast, the threshold from which functional discomfort is recognised. In Paris, expect from €6,800 for a lift alone, and more if it is combined with the fitting of implants: the details are set out in the pricing and insurance coverage guide.
05How the procedure works
Before the procedure
A breast lift is prepared during an initial consultation at the Rive Droite Paris Étoile plastic surgery practice: the surgeon defines with you the scope of the procedure — with or without implants, possibly supplemented by a breast augmentation or breast reduction. A few recommendations are given:
- stopping smoking 2 months before the procedure, for better healing;
- stopping contraception the week before the operation;
- no aspirin in the 10 days beforehand;
- a mammogram may be prescribed, particularly for women at risk;
- a diet may be advised in cases of significant excess weight.
A second consultation takes place at least 15 days before the procedure; the surgeon settles on the most suitable technique, particularly with regard to scarring. The appointment with the anaesthetist is set at least 48 hours before the operation.
During the procedure
The mastopexy is carried out under general anaesthesia and lasts 2 to 3 hours; the patient most often goes home the next day. After marking the areas to be operated on with a surgical pen, the surgeon proceeds in several stages:
- the incision is made according to the chosen technique (periareolar, vertical or inverted-T);
- the excess skin is removed and the gland reshaped — a step that also makes it possible to correct any asymmetry;
- if needed, an implant is fitted to restore volume;
- the areola and nipple are raised back into position, then the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures.
After the procedure
Drains are sometimes fitted to limit haematomas, and a bra-shaped dressing is applied to the bust; the patient stays under observation overnight. A compression bra is then worn for one month.
Ptosis surgery does not cause significant pain: it is easily relieved with painkillers. Swelling, bruising and temporary numbness of the nipples may appear, then resolve. Returning to work generally happens after one to two weeks; sport and lifting heavy loads are not advised during the first month. The scars are reviewed 1 to 2 weeks after the operation.
06Prices & fees in Paris
| Procedure | Aesthetic fees |
|---|---|
| Breast lift - breast ptosis - mastopexy | 6 800 – 7 800 € |
| Breast lift + implants (implant-based reshaping) | 8 000 – 11 000 € |
Indicative “from” prices, surgeon fees included. The final quote is given at the consultation, after examination, depending on the area treated and the technique chosen. Part of the procedure may be covered by French national health insurance when the medical criteria are met.
07Your questions
Is a breast lift covered by French national health insurance?+
An isolated breast lift is an aesthetic procedure: it is not covered. A contribution is possible only when it is combined with a breast reduction removing at least 300 g of gland per breast, which recognises functional discomfort.
How much does a breast lift cost in Paris?+
Expect from €6,800 for a breast lift alone, and more when it is combined with the fitting of implants. The details are set out in the pricing and insurance coverage guide.
Is there a scarless breast lift?+
For mild to moderate ptosis, fitting an implant alone can be enough to reshape the bust without tightening the skin: this is the « scarless ptosis correction ». In other cases, scars are necessary, but they are placed in discreet areas and fade over time.
Can you breastfeed after a breast lift?+
Yes, breastfeeding most often remains possible, because the gland and the ducts are preserved. A slight change in nipple sensitivity may be felt; it usually eases over time.
How long before the breasts drop again after a lift?+
The result is long-lasting, but the breast continues to evolve naturally with age and gravity. To preserve it, large changes in weight should be avoided; a subsequent pregnancy can also cause the bust to sag again.
What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?+
A breast lift repositions the breast and tightens the skin without reducing its volume, whereas a breast reduction removes gland and fat to make a bust that is too heavy smaller. The two procedures are often combined.
Is a breast lift painful?+
No, mastopexy remains relatively painless because it does not affect the muscle. Recovery comes down to moderate discomfort, well controlled with simple painkillers.
Does a breast lift increase the risk of breast cancer?+
No. A breast lift does not promote breast cancer and does not interfere with screening. An imaging work-up is in fact carried out before the procedure.
Is a non-surgical breast lift possible?+
No non-surgical method (creams, radiofrequency, exercise) corrects genuine ptosis: only stretched skin and gland can be tightened, and that requires surgery. These treatments can, however, help maintain the result.
When is the final result visible?+
The bust is raised and reshaped from the moment of the procedure, but the final result — a stabilised shape and faded scars — can be appreciated after about a year.
