Ford Plastic Surgery
410-7 St Thomas Street
Toronto, ON M5S 2B7
Phone: (416) 925-7337
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ford Plastic Surgery
305-419 King Street West
Oshawa, ON L1J 2K5
Phone: (905) 743-9888
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Breast Lift in the Toronto Area
At Ford Plastic Surgery in Toronto, Dr. Derek Ford, Dr. Steven Hanna, and Dr. Laura Snell perform breast lift surgery for women who want to restore an uplifted, youthful position and shape to sagging breasts. A woman’s breasts undergo many changes as her life progresses. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, aging, and weight fluctuations all leave their mark on the breasts, often changing their shape and position. Breast lift surgery is an effective way to physically lift the breasts and reshape them for an ultimate result that looks more youthful yet natural.
Breast Lift
Before & After Photos
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How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in Toronto?
At Ford Plastic Surgery, the cost of breast lift surgery depends on whether it includes implants and, if so, the type of implant you choose. Learn more in this blog post.
For procedure pricing, please visit our Pricing & Financing page.
*Prices exclude taxes
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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is the most effective option for long-term lift of sagging breasts due to any of the following factors:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Weight gain and loss
- Simply the passage of time
Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to lift and reposition the breasts and nipples, creating the very natural-looking, shapely breasts associated with youth.
Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to lift and reposition the breasts and nipples, creating the very natural-looking, shapely breasts associated with youth.
A Talented Trio
With their expertise in plastic surgery, Dr. Derek Ford, Dr. Steven Hanna, and Dr. Laura Snell create attractive, natural-looking results using advanced techniques. Each are Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada who provide compassionate patient care.
Learn more about our surgeons
Meet Dr. Derek Ford Meet Dr. Steven Hanna Meet Dr. Laura SnellAssessment
Breast lift surgery is generally indicated if any of the following characteristics are present:
- Nipples that point downward or extend below the breast crease
- Loose or excess skin due to weight fluctuations
- One breast that sits lower than the other
- A lack of substance, firmness, or shape
Although large breasts can be lifted, the results will likely not be as long-lasting as they would be for a woman with smaller breasts. Your surgeon may recommend a breast reduction for women with excessively large, heavy breasts that may not respond well to a lift alone.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
Sometimes patients are not sure whether they need breast augmentation or a breast lift. While both are breast enhancement procedures, they provide different benefits.
Breast augmentation enlarges the breasts with implants or fat transfer. It does not correct moderate to significant sagging. This patient attained beautiful results from breast augmentation on its own.
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Breast lift tightens lax skin, raises the breasts on the chest, and reshapes the nipples if necessary. It does not increase breast size. This patient had a breast lift on its own.
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Many patients need a combination of breast augmentation and lift to improve the shape, placement, and size of the breasts. This patient has fuller, more shapely breasts after a breast augmentation and lift.
WARNING:
This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.
How Is Breast Lift Surgery Performed?
Breast lift is a relatively straightforward surgery that is performed while you are under general anesthesia. Our surgeons prefer to use a short scar incision technique that leaves no horizontal scar along the breast fold. Instead, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola that may extend vertically down to the breast crease. The surgeon moves the nipple and areola to sit higher on the breast without disconnecting it from its blood supply. The surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breasts for a rounder, uplifted appearance. Finally, your surgeon closes the incisions.
See What’s Possible
Our practice offers Crisalix, a way for patients to preview their results in 3-D. This adds a tangible, visual element to your planning process, giving you and Dr. Ford a common, beautiful goal.
Learn MoreBreast Lift Recovery
You will return home on the day of surgery with your breasts bandaged. You’ll also wear a surgical bra to prevent tension on the incisions, minimize swelling, and support the tissues. Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions, including information about changing your bandages and caring for your incisions to prevent infection. During follow-up appointments, your surgeon gradually clears you to resume more physically demanding activities.
Recovery Milestones
Here is a general timeline of recovery milestones (individual experiences may vary):
- Ready to shower: after 48 hours
- Discomfort: Minimal, prescription pain medication often not needed
- Remove sutures and dressings: 5 to 7 days
- Return to work, school, and nonstrenuous activities: about a week
- Bruising and swelling fade: 3 to 4 weeks
- Wear a surgical bra: about 4 weeks
- Resume strenuous exercise: about 4 to 6 weeks
- Notice enhanced shape: 3 to 4 months
- Attain final results: 6 to 12 months (as swelling dissipates)
- Scars fade: 6 to 12+ months
What Are the Risks of Breast Lift Surgery?
Like all surgical procedures, breast lift is not completely free of risk. However, our surgeons perform more than 300 breast procedures each year and have an excellent record of safety and patient satisfaction. During your consultation, your surgeon reviews your medical history and discusses your individual risk profile so that you can make an educated decision together.
Common Complements
Our surgeons often combine breast lift with other plastic surgery procedures, which commonly include:
- Breast augmentation
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Labiaplasty
Many women combine breast and body procedures to correct changes from pregnancy and breastfeeding. This combination is sometimes called a mommy makeover, and it provides multiple improvements with a single surgery and recovery period.
Breast Lift FAQ
How can you tell if you need a breast lift?
Often what patients notice is that the breasts appear deflated, that they sit lower on the chest, and that their nipples sit much lower than before.
Is breast lift surgery covered under OHIP?
OHIP does not pay for most cosmetic surgery procedures; therefore, breast lifts are typically not covered.
What is the best surgery for sagging breasts?
A mastopexy is the most helpful surgery for sagging breasts. In this surgery, we reshape the breast mound and lift the breast to give it a more youthful appearance.
Is a breast lift really painful?
Patients usually experience mild discomfort after breast lift surgery, considerably less than breast augmentation with implants placed under the chest muscles. Some patients take prescription pain medication for the first few days; many don’t take it at all and are comfortable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How do I know if I need a breast lift or just implants?
This depends on your goals. If you are unhappy with the shape and position of your breasts, often a breast lift is helpful. If you are unhappy with the size of the breasts, then implants can be helpful for augmentation of the breast.
If I get breast implants as part of my breast lift, will I need to replace them eventually?
Breast implants are not made to last forever, so you will likely need to replace them at some point in the future. Today’s implants typically last 10 to 20 years. You can have an elective implant exchange if you’d like a different size or type of implant.
Can a breast lift be done if you have implants?
A breast lift can be done if breast implants are already in place. Depending on the patient’s goals, the implants may sometimes need to be replaced.
Will my bra size change with a breast lift?
Although a breast lift does not remove breast tissue, many patients choose to wear a smaller bra once the extra skin has been removed from the breasts. The breasts will be higher and more shapely but may look smaller.
Is a breast lift with implants better than fat transfer?
A breast lift with implants is useful for larger augmentations, however, fat transfer is a natural alternative that is useful for small to moderate augmentations. Patients who undergo fat grafting may need to have more than one session to achieve optimal results.
Will I lose sensation in my nipples?
During the initial recovery phase, it is normal to have some nipple numbness that typically fades within about 6 to 8 weeks.
How long will my results last?
Results are long-lasting when patients maintain their weight, do not become pregnant, and wear a bra consistently. Gravity and the natural aging process may eventually cause sagging depending on your age at the time of surgery.
Does a breast lift leave scars?
Most surgery leaves some form of scar. As experts in aesthetic surgery, we do our best to optimize your incisions. Initially, they will be visible, but the appearance will improve with time.
If you think your breasts could use a lift, request a consultation online, or call our Toronto office at (416) 925-7337 or our Oshawa office at (905) 743-9888 to schedule your appointment with Ford Plastic Surgery.