Can a breast lift be done without implants?

Yes. A lift can restore an elevated contour without necessarily adding size. Implants are optional and discussed only if added fullness is one of your goals.

Who is a good candidate for breast lift surgery?

Candidacy is determined during a consultation. Many candidates notice changes after pregnancy, weight change, or aging and wish for improved shape and position.

What happens to the nipple position during a breast lift?

The nipple-areola is often repositioned and refined for natural balance as the breast is reshaped, depending on the patient and the plan.

Woman with an elevated, natural contour on the breast lift page at Plastic Surgery of Austin

Shape & Position

Breast Lift in Austin

A breast lift, or mastopexy, refines shape and position rather than adding volume. Dr. Kaimana Chow focuses on balance — restoring a more elevated, youthful contour and refining nipple-areola position with a natural result in mind. If you have noticed changes after pregnancy, weight change, or aging, the consultation explores whether a lift alone, or a lift combined with implants, best suits your goals — calm and unhurried for patients across the Austin area.

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Overview

Restoring an elevated contour

A lift reshapes and repositions the breast for a refreshed, more elevated contour — refining nipple-areola balance with a natural look, with or without added volume.

Shape & Position

A lift reshapes and repositions the breast for a more elevated, refreshed contour.

Nipple-Areola Balance

Position and proportion of the nipple-areola are refined for natural, harmonious balance.

Lift, Not Volume

A lift restores contour without necessarily adding size — though it may be combined with implants if you wish.

Recovery & Support

You are guided with clear expectations and attentive care throughout your recovery.

At a Glance

Procedure Snapshot

This is breast lift (mastopexy), selected to match your goals and lifestyle.

The breast shape is different in every woman. At Plastic Surgery of Austin, we celebrate the individual uniqueness of your breast shape. However, all breasts will undergo aging.

Why consider a breast lift at Plastic Surgery of Austin

Gravity will pull your breast tissue over time. You can draw an analogy between your breast and a pillow with its pillowcase. Your breast serves as the pillow, while the skin covering your breast acts as the pillowcase. As your breast skin naturally ages, it becomes less firm, and the volume of your breast tissue may decrease. This process is akin to having an undersized pillow inside an overstretched pillowcase, illustrating how your breasts may gradually sag.

Who is a candidate for a breast lift?

A private consultation with Dr. Chow is the best way to tell for sure if you are a good candidate for a breast lift in Austin. In general, this is a good procedure for clients who desire elevated and perky breasts. It uplifts southward-facing nipples.

All plastic surgery first begins with health. For the best surgical outcome, Plastic Surgery of Austin will work with you to optimize your health beforehand through exercise, diet and clean living.

A better shape to the breasts
A more youthful appearance
Increased body confidence
Better fitting clothes
Long-lasting outcome
Natural-looking, individualized results

What are the different types of incisions?

There are three primary incision patterns used for a breast lift, and Dr. Chow will recommend the technique best suited to your degree of sagging and desired outcome. A periareolar incision, sometimes called a "donut" lift, circles the edge of the areola and works well for patients who need only a modest lift. A lollipop incision adds a vertical line running from the areola down to the breast crease, allowing for more significant reshaping. An anchor incision, also known as a Wise pattern incision, adds a horizontal incision along the inframammary fold for patients with more significant sagging who need the most extensive reshaping and skin removal.

BREAST LIFT WITH IMPLANT

In cases where the patient desires an increased cup size in addition to breast elevation, a breast lift with implants can be performed to positive effect. Implants can be saline or silicone, and can be placed under or over the pec muscles, depending on your preferences.

Breast Lift Alone vs. Lift With Implants

A breast lift restores shape and position, while implants add volume. Some patients are well served by a lift alone; others choose to combine a lift with breast augmentation in Austin for both elevation and added fullness. Dr. Chow reviews which approach aligns with your goals.

A lift is also commonly considered alongside implant removal, when skin and position — not added volume — are the priority.

See our guide to options after breast implant removal for a closer comparison.

Breast Lift Within a Mommy Makeover

A breast lift reshapes and repositions breast tissue to address ptosis, while augmentation adds volume. In a Mommy Makeover, Dr. Chow — “The Mommy Makeover Surgeon” — evaluates those priorities alongside abdominal and waist contour. A lift alone addresses shape and position; augmentation alone adds fullness when breast position is already appropriate; augmentation with a lift addresses both descent and the desire for greater fullness.

Explore coordinated Mommy Makeover planning

When adding volume is part of your goal, learn about breast augmentation.

Nipple-Areola Repositioning and Shape Restoration

During a lift, the nipple-areola is often repositioned and refined for natural, harmonious balance as the breast is reshaped. The goal is a more elevated, refreshed contour that looks like a natural version of you, depending on the patient.

Recovery Overview

Most patients return to lighter routines within a couple of weeks, easing back into fuller activity over several weeks, depending on the patient. Clear aftercare and attentive follow-up support you throughout healing.

Considerations

Who This Procedure May Be For

Changes in shape or position after pregnancy
Differences following weight change or aging
A desire for a more elevated, refreshed contour
A wish to refine nipple-areola position
Interest in a lift with or without added volume

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A breast lift restores shape and position, while implants add volume. Some patients choose one, and others combine both. Dr. Chow helps you understand which approach fits your goals.