Breast Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

Factors such as age, gravity, childbirth and other circumstances can change the shape and appearance of the breasts, leading to sagging, drooping and wrinkling, among other conditions.¹ A breast lift is a solution to consider. Learn how a breast lift can help restore your breasts’ appearance and boost your confidence.

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgery to tighten, lift and reshape breasts, typically by removing excess skin, tissue and even occasionally muscle.¹ It may be done on its own or with other breast procedures such as a breast augmentation or a more comprehensive mommy makeover.²

A breast lift can do many things in addition to tightening and lifting, such as making the breast appear more symmetrical or changing the way it faces, removing extra skin — even making the breast appear more rounded.¹

That said, a breast lift will not drastically change the shape of the breast. To increase or decrease breast volume requires additional procedures, such as a breast augmentation or breast reduction.¹

Types of breast lifts

There are different approaches to a breast lift, depending on the goals of the patient and the condition of the breasts. We’ve outlined the most common types of breast lifts below.⁴

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

Breast lifts range in price, often quite widely, depending on such factors as your plastic surgeon’s experience level, where the practice is located, what type of breast lift you’re having and your anesthesia type.

The national average cost** of a breast lift is $7,792, but it can range from $5,189 to $13,513.⁶ Here are the average costs** for some popular types of breast lifts.⁶ Note: These do not include insurance, discounts or negotiated rates.⁶

Calculate the cost of a breast lift near you**

Average cost of a breast lift by state/district

Here are the average costs** for a regular breast lift in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁶

Does Insurance Cover Breast Lifts?

Breast lifts are generally considered cosmetic procedures, so most health insurance plans do not cover them or any complications that may result.⁷ Before scheduling surgery, review your health insurance plan and check with your insurance provider so you know exactly what you may owe out of pocket.

How Can You Pay for a Breast Lift?

There are several ways to pay for a breast lift, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some pay upfront with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

While anyone who wants to change the shape or firmness of their breasts can consider a breast lift, some criteria make a person a better candidate than others. You may be a good candidate if:³

• You are in good physical health and your weight does not fluctuate.
• You are not a smoker, which can have negative impacts on recovery.
• Your breast skin is stretched and/or your areolae are enlarged.
• Your breasts are either flat and elongated or large and droopy.
• Your breasts are not symmetrical.
• Your nipples and/or areolae point down.
• Your nipples fall below the breast crease when not supported.

Breast Lift Consultations

As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to have realistic expectations of what a breast lift can do for your body. When you consult with a plastic surgeon for the first time, you’ll want to come with surgical goals and listen to what the surgeon feels will work for your body. You can also expect to discuss such things as:⁸

• Medical conditions, allergies and treatment options
• Your current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Past surgeries
• A family history of breast cancer, previous mammograms or biopsies

Your surgeon will also likely assess your overall health and any underlying conditions that may affect your eligibility for surgery, as well as discuss the effects of anesthesia and/or concerns for recovery.⁸

How Does a Breast Lift Work?

If you’re considering a breast lift, here’s what you might expect before, during and after the procedure.

Preparation

Even before you come in for your surgery, you will likely have to begin preparing for the big day several weeks in advance by:⁹

• Adjusting some medications
• Having lab tests to establish your overall state of health
• Obtaining a baseline mammogram
• Quitting smoking
• Stopping anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin to reduce the chance of bleeding

Since you will likely receive general anesthesia, you will also need to arrange for a driver to and from the surgery, who can stay with you for at least one night after surgery.⁹

Procedure

A breast lift is a surgical procedure, which will most likely be done in an outpatient surgery center or hospital setting.⁹ The procedure will follow a similar process as other surgeries, and includes:¹⁰

• Anesthesia. Depending on the surgical option, you may be given either intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia (which puts you to sleep) to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure.
• Incisions. Once you are numbed or asleep, the surgeon will make the incisions that align with the type of breast lift you’re receiving.
• Reshaping of the breasts. After the incisions are made, the surgeon will lift, cut and reshape the tissue to improve shape and firmness. They will also shift the nipple and areola to a higher or more youthful position.
• Closing incisions. Once the surgeon is done, they’ll insert sutures to close the incisions and allow healing. Most surgeons aim to make scars as minimal and subtle as possible, but some scarring will be visible.

Recovery

After your surgery, you’ll be given a special postsurgical bra that is essential to wear as your surgeon advises.¹² You may also have a temporary drain placed below the skin in the form of a small, flexible plastic tube that collects excess blood and fluid.¹³ You will most likely be given pain medication and possibly antibiotics.¹³ Mild swelling, tightness and discomfort are normal within the first week or so.¹²

You will be discouraged from engaging in any vigorous activity for several weeks, including lifting and exercise, and should sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on your chest. Your surgeon will give you specific time frames for returning to daily activities.¹²

Some surgeons recommend you avoid smoking and alcohol, which can slow your recovery, and protect your healing incisions from the sun. Ultimately, you will want to heed whatever advice your surgeon tailors to you.¹²

Breast Lift Potential Side Effects

Every surgery comes with possible side effects, even though many of these are minimal and surgeons work to avoid them. Some of these side effects include:¹¹

• Asymmetrical breasts. As breasts heal, breast size and shape can change. Also, a breast lift doesn’t radically alter preexisting breast size.
• Bleeding, infection or reactions to anesthesia. Any surgery brings with it a chance of bleeding that persists after surgery, infection and reactions to anesthesia.
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation. Some loss of feeling can occur, and most of the time resolves, but it is possible for the loss of sensation to be permanent.
• Partial or total loss of nipples or areolae. Damage to the nipple or areola as a result of blood supply being stopped during surgery is rare.
• Scarring. Most breast lift scars will fade over time and are typically hidden beneath bras and other clothing.¹⁰

Taking the Next Step Toward Your Breast Lift

If sagging or drooping breasts are affecting your confidence, a breast lift can restore a firmer, more lifted shape. From the subtle crescent lift to the more comprehensive anchor lift, there is a technique to fit a range of goals and anatomies. Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out which type of breast lift might be right for you.

Financing a Breast Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for breast lifts and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for more than 25 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, GOOD Magazine, GOBankingRates, DailyWorth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, PayPal, The Washington Post and more.