Over time, many women notice that their breasts have begun to droop. The skin around the breasts loses elasticity, and the breasts lose shape and firmness. This sagging can be the result of pregnancy or simply a part of aging. Fortunately, a breast lift procedure can help.
Dr. Ellen Mahony, a board-certified female plastic surgeon in Connecticut, has years of experience performing comprehensive breast lift procedures. When you entrust Dr. Mahony with your breast lift at her Westport and Fairfield, CT-area practice, you’ll be creating the look you remember from your younger years.
The Breast Lift Procedure
As part of your breast lift procedure, Dr. Mahony will reduce the lax skin around your breasts, then reshape and reposition them for a more natural and youthful appearance. You may also want to reposition or resize your areola, the dark skin around the nipples.
There are a variety of techniques to achieve all this, and you can depend on Dr. Mahony to discuss each with you. Together, the two of you will determine the best breast procedure for your unique needs and expectations. For example, a breast lift is a common part of a Menopause Makeover or Mommy Makeover.
While a breast lift will elevate your breasts, it will not increase volume. For a fuller, more voluptuous look, you might also wish to explore breast augmentation with saline or silicone gel breast implants. Ask Dr. Mahony to help you try on various implant sizers to get a peek at what your choices will deliver.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
When your breasts start to sag or lose volume, it can affect how you feel in your own skin. A breast lift gives you a more youthful look by restoring feminine proportions and defining the soft curves of the chest, waist, and hips.
This procedure can:
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Improve the shape and balance of your breasts
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Raise the nipples to a more natural position
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Tighten stretched skin and reduce the size of the areolas, if needed
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Make clothing fit more comfortably and help you feel more confident wearing it
For many women, it’s a step toward feeling more aligned with how they want to look in the mirror.
Prepping for Breast Lift Surgery
In the weeks leading up to surgery, Dr. Mahony will provide specific pre-op instructions that may include lab work, pausing certain medications or supplements, and making small changes to support better healing, such as quitting smoking or adjusting your fitness routine.
It’s also a good time to plan for your recovery. You’ll want to arrange for a ride home after surgery, take time off from work, and set up a comfortable space at home where you can rest. Stocking up on soft bras, button-up tops, and any medications or supplies ahead of time can make the first few days easier. Dr. Mahony and her team will walk you through everything so you know exactly what to expect.
Breast Lift Aftercare
Post-operative care is straightforward and manageable. You’ll be sent home in a surgical bra with easy-to-follow instructions for wound care and activity levels. Most women take a few days off from work and limit physical activity for four to six weeks.
Expect some swelling and tenderness early on, but it will improve steadily. Dr. Mahony will monitor your recovery closely through follow-up visits and be available if you have any concerns during the healing process.
Additional Breast Lift Techniques
Breast lift surgery is not a one-technique procedure. Dr. Mahony considers breast volume, skin quality, tissue strength, degree of sagging, previous surgery, and both immediate and longer-term goals when determining how to reshape and support the breasts. Depending on your anatomy, she may use your existing breast tissue (auto -augmentation), internal support techniques, or additional reinforcement as part of your surgical plan.
Auto-Augmentation Breast Lift
For some patients, a breast lift can restore upper breast fullness without implants through a technique known as auto-augmentation. Dr. Mahony reshapes and repositions existing breast tissue, using tissue from the lower portion of the breast to create additional support and fullness higher on the chest.
Auto-augmentation may be appropriate for patients who have enough natural breast tissue to redistribute and want improved shape without significantly increasing breast size. Dr. Mahony considers breast volume, skin elasticity, tissue quality, degree of sagging, and your goals when determining whether this approach is appropriate.
Internal Bra Techniques for Added Breast Support
Some patients may benefit from an internal bra technique as part of their breast lift. Rather than referring to one specific procedure, the term describes surgical methods used to reinforce and support breast tissue from within.
Dr. Mahony determines whether internal support is appropriate based on your anatomy, tissue strength, breast size, skin laxity, previous surgery, and the amount of reshaping required. The approach is selected for the individual rather than routinely included in every breast lift.
Mesh Support During Breast Lift Surgery
In selected cases, Dr. Mahony may use surgical mesh or another internal support material to reinforce breast tissue when additional structural support is needed.
Mesh is not appropriate or necessary for every breast lift. Dr. Mahony evaluates tissue quality, surgical history, anatomy, and the planned correction before making a recommendation. If mesh is being considered, she will explain its intended role, potential benefits and risks, and available alternatives so you can make an informed decision about your surgical plan.
Why Choose Dr. Ellen Mahony for a Breast Lift
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is an important decision. With a rare combination of advanced education, international health work, and elite surgical training, Dr. Mahony brings unmatched depth to her practice. She’s one of the few female plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in Connecticut and has trained at some of the country’s top institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Yale.
Beyond her credentials, Dr. Mahony‘s experience as a physical therapist and researcher translates directly into better patient care. She treats you like a partner in your treatment and delivers artistic surgical results. Choose Dr. Mahony if you want a surgeon who truly understands the balance of science and aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
I understand your concern, and it is one that most women share. A lift can be done with a circular periareolar incision only (the circle-shaped incision around the areola), but it’s not very common, especially if you have a significant amount of sagging. The next step would be to add a vertical incision to the circular scar, often referred to as the “lollipop incision.” This allows for the removal of some additional loose skin and serves to add some perkiness to the breasts- a fair trade in my mind! Finally, an “anchor” incision (periareolar incision plus a vertical incision (directly below the areola) and a curved incision in the breast fold) allows for a stronger lift and a more pleasing breast contour overall. Although it is perfectly reasonable to worry about the scars, they heal extremely well and are quickly forgotten once the beautiful shape is revealed! Remember that choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who is expertly skilled at closing incisions will greatly impact your final results.
Thank you for your question! Most people think only older women need breast lifts, but young women can also have droopy breasts. Luckily, the skin of younger women is usually much more elastic, which can improve the outcome of any breast augmentation procedure. I’d have to look at your specific anatomy – taking into account your breast size, shape, your height, and weight – before I made any recommendations. Generally speaking, if you’re happy with the size of your breasts but not the placement on your chest, I’ll probably recommend a breast lift only. Schedule a consultation to see me, and we’ll work out the details together so you get exactly what you’re looking for!
The outcome of a breast lift depends entirely on the quality of the skin and the volume of remaining breast tissue. As an example, if the skin is very thin and stretched, and the volume of remaining breast tissue is heavy, the longevity of the ‘lift’ is shorter, maybe 3 years. This doesn’t mean that you would be seeking a second surgery after 3 years; it just means that your breasts may not stay as high on your chest as they did right after the surgery. I like to discuss this individually with each person because it varies so much on each woman’s goals.
Yes, it certainly is possible.
Most women feel pretty good in about five days, and some may even return to desk jobs. I often place a drain at the time of surgery, and this usually comes out the next day. Showering the day after surgery is fine! I like everyone to wear a supportive post-operative bra for at least two weeks and avoid lifting anything more than 5-10 lbs. The stitches are absorbable. Returning to the gym is often possible in 3-4 weeks for light activity. I assess this on an individual basis.
It is possible, and certainly on a short-term basis, just due to the skin incisions that divide some of the very tiny superficial nerves. It takes a few months for these nerves to recover.
Yes. Many women undergo this procedure at an early age, for example, after having kids. Years later, after weight changes, increased skin laxity, and the passage of time, there is usually additional thinning of the breast tissue and stretching of the skin. So, a second lift 10-20 years later is not uncommon.
If your breasts have started to droop or your nipples point downward, a breast lift might be a great option. Good candidates are generally in good health, at a stable weight, and have a clear sense of what the procedure can do.
Like any surgery, a breast lift comes with some risks, such as bleeding, infection, changes in nipple sensation, and scarring. Dr. Mahony will talk through these possibilities with you prior to surgery. She takes great care in both her surgical approach and post-op guidance to help keep risks low and keep recovery smooth.
Yes. Dr. Mahony accepts CareCredit®, a healthcare credit line with flexible payment options and quick online approval. Her team will review your estimated costs during your consultation and help you explore financing that fits your budget.
Get Perkier, Youthful Breasts with a Breast Lift in Westport, CT
Women throughout Westport, Fairfield County, and nearby communities turn to Dr. Ellen Mahony (opens in new tab) for a breast lift that feels comfortable and is thoughtfully performed. Her practice is built around genuine connection and care.
To talk things through or book your consultation, call 203-221-0102.
