Breast Lift in St. Petersburg, FL

Name: Breast Lift
Brand: Southern Surgical Arts

Time and gravity can gradually change the shape and position of your breasts, no matter how fit or healthy you are. A breast lift restores the shape you remember.

Close up of a womans chest wearing a bra

About Breast Lifts at Southern Surgical Arts

At Southern Surgical Arts in St. Petersburg, a breast lift is approached as both a technical and artistic procedure, designed to restore shape without changing what makes your body yours. Our board-certified surgeons take the time to understand your goals and build a plan suited to your anatomy. If a lift sounds like the right fit for you, schedule a consultation with our St. Petersburg team today.

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes the breast mound and removes excess skin so the breasts keep their existing volume while sitting in a more lifted position on the chest. Sagging, medically known as ptosis, happens as skin and the ligaments supporting the breasts lose rigidity over time due to aging, weight changes, hormone fluctuations, and genetics.

Benefits of a Breast Lift

Elevates the breast mound to a more flattering position
Creates more symmetrical, proportionate contours
Eliminates laxity and restores firmness
Uses your own natural tissue, with no implants required
Can reposition and resize downward-pointing areolas

Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

Good candidates for a breast lift are generally between 18 and 65, in good overall health, and non-smokers, or willing to stop smoking for several weeks to support a safer recovery. Most are bothered by sagging or a loss of shape that diet and exercise can't address on their own. A consultation is the best way to evaluate your degree of ptosis and determine the right surgical approach.

Why Choose Southern Surgical Arts for a Breast Lift?

Our surgeons take a comprehensive approach to breast lift surgery, recognizing that sagging involves more than just skin and requires a plan built around your unique anatomy. We create an environment where you can speak openly about your goals and feel confident in your decision before moving forward.

Your Consultation

During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your degree of breast ptosis and walk you through their surgical recommendations in detail. You're encouraged to ask questions so you feel fully confident in your decision, and your surgeon will give you personalized guidance on preparing for surgery and healing well afterward.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

The cost of a breast lift starts at $12,500. Your quote will include the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility fees, any necessary supplies or implants, and all routine follow-up visits, with the full breakdown provided during your consultation.

What to Expect During Your Breast Lift Procedure

Anesthesia

You'll receive general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation, based on what's right for your procedure.

Incision and Reshaping

Your surgeon reshapes the breast mound and removes excess skin using the incision pattern best suited to your degree of sagging, repositioning the areola as needed.

Closing

Incisions are closed with fine sutures, and a compression garment is applied to support healing in the breasts' new, lifted position.

Breast Lift Recovery

You can expect tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the days following surgery, and you'll be given a compression garment to support healing and reduce swelling. Most patients return to work within a week, though exercise and heavy lifting should wait at least six weeks.

At each follow-up appointment, your surgeon will check your progress and let you know when it's safe to resume more strenuous activity.

Breast Lift Results

You'll notice an improvement in breast size and shape right away, with results continuing to settle into place over the following weeks. A breast lift restores a firmer, more lifted breast contour that can last for years, especially with a stable weight.

Types of Breast Lift Incisions

Benelli Lift

Also known as the donut or periareolar lift, this technique uses an incision along the edge of the areola to remove excess skin, with the areola's natural color helping conceal the scar. It's generally used for a lesser degree of sagging.

Lollipop Lift

This approach combines an incision around the areola with a vertical incision beneath it, suited to a moderate degree of sagging.

Anchor Lift

An anchor incision extends around the areola, vertically down the breast, and along the crease beneath it, allowing for more significant reshaping. It's typically used for more advanced sagging.

Related Procedures

Breast Augmentation: Can be combined with a lift to add volume along with a more lifted position.
Breast Reduction: A better fit for patients whose discomfort comes from breast size rather than position alone.
Mommy Makeover: Combines a breast lift with other procedures to address post-pregnancy changes.
Breast Revision: For patients adjusting or replacing implants alongside lift results.

Breast Lift FAQs

Will a breast lift change my breast size?

A breast lift repositions and reshapes the breast using your own existing tissue, so it doesn't significantly change your breast size. If you're also hoping for more volume, your surgeon may recommend combining the lift with breast augmentation.

Is a breast lift painful?

Most patients experience manageable discomfort rather than significant pain, and it's typically controlled with prescribed medication during the first several days.

Will I have visible scars after a breast lift?

Scars are a normal part of a breast lift and are placed in locations designed to be as discreet as possible. They typically fade significantly over the following months, though they never disappear completely.

Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?

Breastfeeding is usually still possible after a breast lift, though it can vary depending on the technique used and your individual anatomy. This is worth discussing at your consultation if future breastfeeding is a priority.

What's the difference between a breast lift and breast augmentation?

A breast lift repositions sagging breast tissue using your own anatomy, while breast augmentation adds volume with implants. The two are often combined for patients who want both a lift and more fullness.

Will insurance cover a breast lift?

Breast lifts performed for cosmetic reasons are generally not covered by insurance, since the procedure is considered elective.

What are the risks of a breast lift?

As with any surgical procedure, a breast lift carries some risk of infection, bleeding, scarring, or changes in nipple sensation. These risks are minimized when performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon.

Ready to Restore Your Shape?

Southern Surgical Arts is ready to help you feel confident in a silhouette that looks and feels like you. Schedule your St. Petersburg breast lift consultation today and let our team build a plan around your goals.

References

Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. 2020. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2020.pdf
Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.