Breast Lift
Breast Lift at Mountain West Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa
Did having children take a toll on the shape of your breasts? Or has aging caused your breasts to sag gradually? Our board-certified plastic surgeons,
Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka, perform breast lift surgery to restore a more youthful breast shape. Their experience is unmatched in the area, and women considering breast lift travel to Kalispell from Missoula, Great Falls, and throughout Montana, and Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho, to have their surgery here at Mountain West Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa.
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A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery that raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple-areola complex to a higher, more youthful position.
This procedure is commonly chosen by women who have experienced changes in breast shape due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or aging. A breast lift does not significantly change the size of the breasts, but it restores a firmer breast profile and improves overall contour, often resulting in a more balanced, lifted silhouette.
During a breast lift, the surgeons use incisions designed to produce the ideal results. The incision pattern used depends primarily on how much the breasts sag and the elasticity of the skin. Common breast lift techniques include:
If you want to increase the size of your breasts along with improving their shape, you can combine breast augmentation with a breast lift.
Patients often wonder if breast augmentation alone can also restore a more youthful breast shape. That is typically not the case because the weight of the implants can make the breast sag more without a lift. During breast lift surgery, your surgeon creates an implant pocket behind the breast tissue and inserts the implants before closing the incisions. During your consultation, Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka discuss your implant options and the placement location, either behind or in front of the chest muscle.
“Dr. Spring is very personable and comfortable to speak with… She and her entire staff were very responsive to my needs throughout the recovery period. I couldn’t have imagined a better result! I finally have the breasts I’ve always wanted at 65 years of age!”
5-Star RealSelf review
Our surgeons often combine breast lift surgery with other procedures to provide multiple improvements with one surgery and recovery period. Popular options include:
Combining breast and body procedures is often called a mommy makeover because it’s popular with women who have had one or more babies. Whether you choose one procedure or multiple, we offer a variety of financing options to make your aesthetic dreams come true.
At your consultation, your plastic surgeon will learn about your goals, educate you about your options, and recommend the best breast lift technique based on your anatomy and individual needs. Both Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka create a custom surgical plan for you after assessing the degree of sagging and the quality of your breast skin and discussing your cosmetic goals.
After making the incision or incisions, your surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to an elevated position. They also move the nipple areola complex to a higher position to ensure the results look natural. The surgery, which our surgeons perform at outpatient surgical centers in Kalispell and Whitefish, typically takes between 90 minutes and 3½ hours.
“Dr. Hromadka is a skilled surgeon with gifted hands, no doubt, but it’s his interaction with his patients that really sets him apart. He is very understanding and LISTENS to his patients. That’s why other surgeons refer (their patients) to him.”
5-Star RealSelf review
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is designed to address a range of concerns that affect the breast shape and position over time. The most common issue is breast ptosis, or sagging breasts, which can occur due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or natural aging. As the breasts sag, the nipple areola complex can begin to point downward or sit below the breast crease, giving the chest a deflated appearance.
This breast surgery is particularly beneficial for women who notice asymmetry, where one breast appears lower than the other, or who experience stretched areolas and excess breast skin. The breast lift procedure elevates the nipple areola complex to a more central and youthful position while removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue. The result is a more youthful breast contour that better fits your proportions and supports your overall breast profile.
The primary benefit of breast lift surgery is restoring a more youthful breast contour that is firm, lifted, and balanced. Patients often say they feel more confident wearing clothing without the need for push-up bras or padded inserts.
The surgery reshapes and supports breast tissue, helping your breasts appear perkier, even if you have smaller breasts or have experienced significant weight loss. By removing excess skin and elevating the nipple areola complex, a breast lift mastopexy improves the projection and shape of the breast without necessarily changing the breast size. Many women find that their bras fit better and their breast profile feels more in harmony with the rest of their body. In some cases, a breast lift can improve breast asymmetry, reduce irritation under the breasts, and provide relief from the heaviness caused by excess skin. When combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction, the lift can enhance both form and function for a more complete transformation.
If your breasts have lost volume and shape, and the nipples sit below the breast crease or point downward, you may be a strong candidate for a breast lift. This procedure is well-suited for women who feel self-conscious about sagging, flattened, or asymmetrical breasts and want to restore a more youthful appearance without increasing size. Good candidates are in overall good health, nonsmokers, and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve.
It’s also important to be at a stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can affect your long-term results. If you’re planning to become pregnant in the near future, it’s often recommended to wait to have a breast lift, as pregnancy can stretch the skin and breast tissue again. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your breast anatomy, skin elasticity, and personal goals to determine if a breast lift, or a lift combined with augmentation, is right for you.
Each patient heals at their own pace, so it’s difficult to say specifically how long it will take you to recover. It’s the experience of our surgeons that most patients need a week off from work to recover following a breast lift. During that time, it’s important to follow the postoperative instructions provided closely.
Swelling and bruising are common following a breast lift and usually peak about 2 or 3 days after surgery. Patients can manage their discomfort with prescription pain medication. It’s important to take brief walks around your home starting the day after your surgery. The surgical bra you wear home after surgery should be replaced after a few days with a support bra that should be worn consistently for 3 to 4 weeks. Using moisturizer can help keep the breast skin soft and hydrated, but avoid applying the moisturizer on the sutures.
Most patients notice an immediate improvement in the shape and position of their breasts after surgery, even while wearing the surgical bra. As swelling subsides and your body heals, the results become more refined over the following weeks.
The final results are typically visible by 3 to 6 months post-surgery, with scars continuing to fade for up to a year. A breast lift offers long-lasting improvement, but your results will evolve naturally with time. Skin will continue to age, and factors like pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and gravity can gradually affect your shape. That said, many women enjoy shapelier, lifted breasts for well over a decade, especially with the support of well-fitting bras, a healthy lifestyle, and sun protection to preserve skin quality.
At Mountain West Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa, our board-certified plastic surgeons bring more than 35 years of combined experience in cosmetic surgery to every case. Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka are not only highly skilled but also deeply collaborative and attentive to each patient’s unique goals. They listen, and then design a plan that aligns with your body, your lifestyle, and your definition of confidence.
Mountain West is the only plastic surgery practice within 200 miles that offers cosmetic procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. With a fully accredited, state-of-the-art surgical facility and a compassionate, detail-oriented care team, your experience is both technically exceptional and personally supportive. Whether you’re navigating post-pregnancy changes or simply ready to feel more at home in your skin, our team offers a level of expertise, safety, and aesthetic judgment you won’t find elsewhere in Montana.
The combination of surgical skill and decades of experience sets Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka apart from other plastic surgeons not just in Kalispell, but throughout Montana and the Northwest. Assisted by Kristy Ehrmantraut, PA-C, their surgical physician assistant, Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka are known for their down-to-earth personalities and for spending the time to truly understand their patients’ goals.
Scars result any time a surgeon makes an incision. Some products can lessen the appearance of mastopexy scars, which typically fade significantly about a year after the surgery. Following breast lift surgery, you can also expect some temporary loss of breast sensation. The numb sensation gradually fades as the swelling subsides.
The scars from breast lift surgery typically become very light and thin once they are healed. Most patients say the improvement in breast shape and position is well worth the scars.
Because breast lift surgery does not involve the chest muscles, discomfort is typically mild after surgery. Most patients take prescription pain medication only for the first few days.
Breast augmentation increases breast size and reduces mild sagging, but it does not significantly lift the breasts. If you are bothered by moderate to significant sagging, breast lift surgery addresses excess skin and tissue to elevate the breasts on the chest wall. Many patients need both procedures to enlarge and reshape their breasts.
Yes. Our surgeons often reshape and resize one or both areolas during breast lift surgery.
Many patients wear a smaller bra cup size after breast lift surgery, not because their breasts are actually smaller, but because the excess skin has been removed. For patients desiring enhanced volume, a breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation.
Once the swelling has faded and the incisions have healed, it will be safe to go braless. However, to maintain your new shape and prevent future sagging, it is best to wear a bra as consistently as possible.
Are you ready to discover how a breast lift at Mountain West Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa can enhance your look and your confidence? To discuss your options with one of our two highly trained plastic surgeons, request a consultation using the online form. Or you can call our office at (406) 609-0210 to schedule an appointment.
Start Your Journey With Montana’s Premier Aesthetic Experts
For our valued patients traveling from Whitefish, Missoula, Great Falls, and Helena, we offer a seamless and supportive out-of-town patient experience, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind from your first inquiry through your complete recovery.
