Aesthetic Surgery
Breast Lift
Mastopexy to lift and reshape the breasts
At a Glance
In Brief
Lifting and firming sagging breasts
Treatment Duration
Approx. 2–3 hours
Anaesthesia
Usually general anaesthesia
Downtime
Usually back at work after approx. 2 weeks
Results
Visible straight after the procedure, final after approx. 6 months
Duration of Effect
Long-lasting, depending on weight and pregnancies
Sessions
Usually a single procedure
Price
On request
A breast lift, known medically as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises sagging breasts and gives them a new shape. Excess skin is removed, the breast tissue is tightened and the nipple is brought into a higher position. The size of the breasts hardly changes, and the firmer shape often makes them look fuller.
The procedure may suit women whose breasts have lost firmness after pregnancy and breastfeeding, after major weight loss or over the years. If you wish, the lift can be combined with a breast augmentation using implants or carried out when implants are replaced. How extensive the scars are depends on how much skin needs to be removed. In the consultation, Dr. med. Ranieri Mazzei explains which technique and incision will be used to lift your breasts and where the scars will lie.
Surgical Procedure
This treatment is a surgical procedure performed under medical direction. Procedure, anaesthesia and aftercare are discussed in detail during your personal consultation.
Treatment Areas
How extensive the lift is depends on your findings and your wishes.
Slight Sagging
If the breasts have dropped only slightly, the lift is correspondingly smaller. Where the main wish is for more volume, an augmentation with implants alone may be enough, depending on the findings.
Pronounced Sagging
If the nipple sits much lower or points downwards, the breast is lifted more extensively. The nipple is raised, and an enlarged areola can be made smaller if needed.
After Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts often lose firmness as well as volume in the upper part. A lift is particularly worthwhile once no further pregnancy is planned in the near future.
After Major Weight Loss
After major weight loss, slack, excess skin often remains on the breasts. A stable weight before the procedure helps the new shape to last in the long term.
Combination with Implants
If you would also like more volume, the lift can be combined with a breast augmentation using implants. The breasts can also be lifted in the same operation when implants are replaced.
What is a breast lift?
Over the years, after pregnancies or after significant weight loss, the skin and connective tissue of the breasts lose their firmness. The breasts drop, the areola often becomes larger and the upper part of the breast loses volume. The lift raises the breast, reshapes the tissue and tightens the skin envelope.
For more fullness, implants can be added to the lift, and the breasts can also be lifted during an implant replacement. Breasts that sit at different heights or differ in shape can be brought into closer balance by the lift.
The procedure takes around 2–3 hours, is usually performed under general anaesthesia and is done as day surgery: you go home on the same day. Afterwards, you wear a support bra for about 6 weeks. Like any operation, the procedure leaves scars; how extensive they are depends on how much skin needs to be removed. They fade over time.
- Lifting and reshaping the breasts
- Takes around 2–3 hours
- Usually general anaesthesia
- Day surgery, no overnight stay
- Support bra for about 6 weeks
- Can be combined with implants
Why a breast lift at Aesthetics Medical?
Specialist Surgery
The procedure is performed by Dr. med. Ranieri Mazzei, specialist FMH in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
Planning Based on Findings
The degree of sagging, the amount of excess skin and the available volume determine the extent of the lift. Your procedure is planned on this basis.
Lift and Volume
Breast augmentation and implant replacement are also offered at Aesthetics Medical. If more volume is wanted as well, the lift and implants can be planned as one operation.
Anaesthesia at a Surgical Centre
General anaesthesia is given by specialists in anaesthesiology at a certified surgical centre.
Choosing the Timing
Later pregnancies and larger weight fluctuations can change the breast shape again. We therefore take your family plans and your weight into account when choosing the timing.
What does the procedure involve?
Consultation
Everything begins with a personal consultation at Utoquai 37 in Zurich, where Dr. med. Ranieri Mazzei assesses the shape, skin and volume of your breasts. Together you discuss whether a lift alone or a combination with implants suits your wishes, and you then decide in your own time and without obligation.
Preparation
Before the procedure, you receive clear instructions on medication, smoking and sun exposure. You should avoid nicotine around the time of the operation, and blood-thinning medication is paused only after consulting the doctor.
Surgery
During the operation, the breasts are raised, tightened and reshaped, which takes around 2–3 hours. Surgery takes place as day surgery at a certified surgical centre, usually under general anaesthesia, and you go home on the same day.
First Weeks
After the procedure, you wear a support bra day and night for around 6 weeks. Light activities are usually possible again after a few days, and most patients are back at work after about 2 weeks.
Follow-Up
At the follow-up appointments, we check how healing is progressing and adjust your aftercare. Sport and heavy lifting are possible again after about 6 weeks, and the final breast shape can be judged after around 6 months.
| Breast lift | on request |
The cost depends on the extent of the procedure and is set out transparently after the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the procedure work and how long does it take?
In this operation, the sagging breast is raised, excess skin is removed and the tissue is reshaped. The procedure takes around 2–3 hours and is carried out as day surgery, without an overnight stay. The technique and incision are chosen according to your findings. How extensive the scars are depends on how much skin needs to be removed, and you learn beforehand where they will lie.
What type of anaesthesia is used for the procedure?
The procedure is usually carried out under general anaesthesia, which is given by specialists in anaesthesiology at a certified surgical centre. You receive instructions on fasting, your medication and the anaesthetic in good time before your appointment. We are happy to answer any questions about anaesthesia in the preliminary consultation.
What risks and side effects are possible?
Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are common at first and subside over the following weeks. Sensation in the nipples may be reduced for a while; it usually returns, although a change can remain in individual cases. The ability to breastfeed may also be affected. As with any operation, bleeding, infection, wound-healing problems, conspicuous scars or slight asymmetry are possible. We discuss your individual risks with you in detail beforehand.
What should I consider before the procedure?
Your weight should be stable before the procedure; if a pregnancy or larger weight loss is planned, it usually makes sense to postpone the lift. Avoid nicotine before and after the operation, as smoking impairs healing. Preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid, which inhibit blood clotting, are usually paused about 14 days beforehand, like all blood-thinning medication only after consulting the doctor.
What should I consider after the procedure?
Wear the support bra day and night for around 6 weeks, as prescribed. In the first weeks, move your arms carefully, avoid heavy lifting and stay away from saunas, solariums and sunbathing. We check how healing is progressing at the follow-up appointments, where you also receive further aftercare advice.
How long does recovery take after the procedure?
Light everyday activities are usually possible again after a few days. Most patients are able to work after about 2 weeks, although it may take longer for physically demanding jobs. Wait about 6 weeks before doing sport or heavy lifting. Swelling and bruising decrease noticeably in the first few weeks.
Show all 11 questions
When do results become visible?
The lifted breast shape is visible straight after the procedure, although it is masked by swelling at first. Over the following months, the breasts settle slightly and take on their final shape, which can be judged after about 6 months. The scars, whose extent depends on how much skin was removed, fade over time.
How long do the results last?
A breast lift usually has a long-lasting effect. Skin and connective tissue continue to age, and later pregnancies or larger weight fluctuations can change the shape again; heavy breasts may drop again sooner. Keeping your weight stable helps to maintain the new shape.
Is more than one procedure needed?
A single procedure is usually sufficient for the lift. Occasionally, a small correction is advisable later. If the breasts sag again over time, after a pregnancy or a change in weight, a further lift is also possible; whether this makes sense in your case is weighed up individually.
Who is the procedure suitable for?
A breast lift is suitable for women whose breasts have dropped or lost their shape, often after pregnancy, breastfeeding or major weight loss. Good general health, a stable weight and realistic expectations are required. If the sagging is slight and your main wish is for more volume, a breast augmentation alone may be enough. In the consultation, we clarify what makes sense in your case.
How much does the procedure cost?
The price is available on request, as it depends on the extent of the procedure and the technique chosen. You receive a transparent breakdown of the costs following the consultation.
Personal Consultation
Start now.
Every treatment starts with a conversation and a 3D analysis.