Breast Lift
in Baton Rouge, LA
Restore a Youthful, Natural Shape.
If your breasts have lost their once-youthful position and shape, you have options worth exploring. A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, restores a firmer, more elevated contour and helps many women feel comfortable and confident in their bodies again.
At Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kate Chiasson brings both technical precision and a genuine understanding of what these changes mean to you. As a woman, she is especially attuned to the concerns that come with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the natural changes that come with time. Below, you will find everything you need to know about how a breast lift works, what to expect, and how to decide whether a lift alone, or a lift paired with augmentation, is the right path for your goals.
What is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts and reposition the nipples to a more pleasing location. A number of conditions can cause your breasts to sag: pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight loss, or the natural aging process affecting the skin and breast glandular tissue.
Dr. Chiasson will carefully listen to your desired outcome and expectations and assist you in selecting the best approach to help you achieve your goals. If you desire an increase in breast size a gel implant can be placed at the time of the lift. As the implant increases the weight of the breast it is wise to avoid overly large implants. Also, should you desire a reduction in the size of your areola (the darker pigmented skin around the nipple), this can easily be addressed with the lift.
Ptosis (sagging) of the breast is graded in severity by the relationship between the location of the nipple relative to the inframammary fold (the crease below the breast). The degree of ptosis along with your desired outcome will determine the appropriate surgical choice. Minor lifting results in fewer incisions. If you have more severe sagging with the nipple falling below the fold longer incisions are necessary and will lead to longer scars. You will be instructed on how to care for your incisions and scars so that an optimal result can be achieved.
Breast lift is out-patient surgery performed under general anesthesia. The recovery time is relatively quick and you will be back to full activity in a few weeks.
Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation- Which Do You Need?
Breast Lift
Lifts sagging breasts
Repositions the nipple
Removes excess skin
Does not add volume
Breast Augmentation
Increases breast size with implants
Adds fullness and shape
Does not correct sagging
Combination (Lift + Implants)
Lifts and adds volume
Best for sagging + volume loss
Creates fuller, more youthful results
Not sure which is right for you? A consultation will determine the best approach based on your goals.
Breast Lift With Augmentation: A Combined Approach
For some patients, sagging is only part of the picture. If you have lost volume in the upper portion of the breast along with firmness and position, a breast lift on its own may not fully restore the fullness you are hoping for. In these cases, combining a lift with breast augmentation can address both concerns in a single procedure.
By pairing mastopexy with implants, Dr. Chiasson can elevate and reshape the breast while also adding volume and upper-pole fullness for a more youthful, balanced result. This combined approach is often ideal for women who notice deflation and drooping after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.
Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to plastic surgery, whether a lift alone or a lift with augmentation is right for you depends on your anatomy, the degree of sagging, and your personal goals.
Breast Lift - Before & After
Ask The Expert
Dr. Kate Chiasson
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Recovery is often quicker than patients expect. A breast lift is an outpatient procedure, so you will go home the same day. Most of my patients feel comfortable returning to desk work and light daily activities within about a week, and are back to full activity, including exercise, within a few weeks. Our team will give you detailed instructions on caring for your incisions and easing back into your routine, and we will monitor your healing closely at your follow-up visits.
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Some scarring is a natural part of any lift, but how much depends on the degree of sagging we are correcting. Minor lifting requires fewer incisions and less scarring, while more significant sagging calls for longer incisions to achieve the best shape. The good news is that scars typically fade considerably over time, and I will guide you on scar care so we can achieve the most refined result possible.
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A breast lift offers long-lasting results, though it is important to remember that your breasts will still respond to the natural aging process, gravity, and changes in weight over time. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing a supportive bra can help preserve your results for years to come. Because everyone's body is different, I believe in creating an individualized plan designed to give you the most durable, natural-looking outcome.
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That depends on your goals. A breast lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts and repositions the nipple, but it does not add volume. If you are looking for more fullness, an implant can be placed at the time of your lift. For many women who have experienced both sagging and volume loss, a combined lift and augmentation creates the fullest, most youthful result. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so we will decide together during your consultation.
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If you are planning future pregnancies, I generally recommend waiting, since pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch the skin and change the shape of your breasts again, which may affect your results. That said, this is a personal decision, and there is no single right answer for everyone. I am always happy to talk through your timing and goals so you can feel confident in your choice.
Lift, Reshape, and Restore
Schedule your breast lift consultationat Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and take the first step toward feeling confident in your body again.