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Mastopexy (Breast Lift) Plastic Surgeon Wollongong & Sydney

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss and ageing can change the shape and position of the breasts. Skin may stretch, breast tissue may sit lower, and nipples may point downwards or fall below the breast crease.

Introduction to Mastopexy (Lift)

Understanding Mastopexy (Breast Lift Surgery)

Breast lift surgery, also called mastopexy, reshapes and raises the existing breast tissue. The nipples and areolas can also be repositioned where appropriate.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Anthony Barker is based in Sydney and performs breast lift surgery for suitable patients from across Australia.

Each operation is planned around the patient’s breast shape, natural volume, skin quality, and the degree of lifting required.

Risks and Considerations

These photographs show this individual patient’s surgical outcome and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience. Results vary depending on individual factors, including genetics, diet and exercise. Results cannot be guaranteed.

Before & After Gallery Results

  • Real Patient Results in New South Wales, Australia Performed by Dr. Anthony Barker Real Patient Results in New South Wales, Australia Performed by Dr. Anthony Barker
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Minimalist line drawing of female figure with raised arm, abstract feminine form in black and white - Breast in New South Wales, Australia

What Does a Breast Lift Do?

A breast lift removes selected excess skin and reshapes the existing breast tissue so it sits higher on the chest.

The procedure may also:

  • Reposition the nipples and areolas
  • Reduce the size of stretched areolas
  • Address differences in breast or nipple position
  • Reshape breasts that have become elongated
  • Remove loose breast skin following pregnancy or weight loss
  • Create a more supported breast shape using the patient’s existing tissue

A breast lift does not substantially increase breast volume. If additional fullness is also wanted, Dr Barker may discuss a breast implant or fat transfer.

If the breasts feel too large or heavy, a breast reduction may be more appropriate.

Breast Lift Scars

Every breast lift creates permanent scars.

The scar pattern depends on breast shape, nipple position, the amount of loose skin, and the degree of reshaping required.

A scar is positioned around the edge of the areola.

This pattern offers limited lifting and suits only selected patients with a smaller amount of skin excess.

Reasons Patients Consider Breast Lift Surgery

Patients may consider a breast lift when:

  • The breast tissue has lowered
  • The nipples sit at or below the breast crease
  • The nipples point downwards
  • The skin has stretched following pregnancy or weight loss
  • The areolas have enlarged
  • One breast sits lower than the other
  • Previous breast surgery has changed the breast shape

No two breasts are completely identical. A breast lift may reduce some differences, but perfect symmetry cannot be achieved or guaranteed.

The breasts will also continue to change with ageing, pregnancy and weight variation after surgery.

Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?

A breast lift and breast augmentation address different concerns.

A breast lift reshapes and raises the existing breast tissue. Breast augmentation adds volume using an implant.

A lift may be more appropriate when the patient is comfortable with their existing breast volume but wants to address breast position or loose skin.

An implant may be considered when additional volume is wanted, and the breast does not require substantial lifting.

When both breast position and volume need to be addressed, a breast lift with implants may be considered.

Breast Lift With Implants

A breast lift with implants, also called augmentation mastopexy, combines breast reshaping with additional volume.

The breast lift removes loose skin and raises the existing tissue. The implant adds volume and projection.

This is a more complex operation than either a lift or augmentation alone. Depending on the patient’s skin, breast tissue and the degree of change required, Dr Barker may recommend performing the lift and augmentation during one operation or in separate stages.

Breast implants carry their own risks, including capsular contracture, rupture and the need for further implant surgery in the future. Learn more about breast implant risks.

Breast Lift With Fat Transfer

 

Fat transfer may be considered when a patient wants a modest amount of additional volume without an implant.

Fat is collected from another area using liposuction, processed and transferred to selected areas of the breast.

The amount of volume you can add is limited by the available donor fat and how much transferred fat develops a lasting blood supply. Fat transfer may not create the same volume or projection as an implant, and you may need more than one procedure.

Fat transfer has its own risks, including fat necrosis, oil cysts, calcification and the possibility that some transferred fat will not survive. Learn more about fat transfer risks. 

Breast Lift After Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch the breast skin and change both volume and nipple position.

As a general guide, patients are commonly advised to wait approximately six months after breastfeeding has completely finished. This gives milk production time to stop and breast volume and shape to stabilise.

For some patients, a breast lift alone may provide the reshaping they are considering. Others may discuss an implant or fat transfer when breast volume has also reduced.

Another pregnancy can stretch the breast tissue and skin again. Patients planning another pregnancy in the near future may prefer to delay surgery.

Breast Lift After Significant Weight Loss

Significant or bariatric weight loss can leave loose breast skin, reduced volume and less internal support.

Patients with more extensive skin excess may require an inverted-T scar to allow sufficient reshaping.

The appropriate procedure depends on the remaining breast tissue, skin quality, nipple position and whether the patient wants to maintain, reduce or add breast volume.

Weight should generally be stable before surgery. Following bariatric surgery, Dr Barker may also request blood tests to assess nutritional factors that can affect healing.

Dr Anthony Barker in blue scrubs consulting with patient in medical office - in New South Wales, Australia

Planning a Breast Lift With Dr Barker

During consultation, Dr Barker will ask what has changed and what the patient would like assessed.

The examination considers:

  • Breast volume and shape
  • Skin quality
  • Nipple and areola position
  • Natural asymmetry
  • Chest proportions
  • Existing scars
  • Previous breast surgery

The consultation includes a discussion of the likely scar pattern, expected change in breast shape, recovery and whether a lift alone, breast reduction, implant or fat transfer may be appropriate.

The consultation also reviews medical history, medicines, pregnancy plans, and breast-screening history. Breast imaging or further medical assessment may be requested depending on the patient’s age, symptoms and clinical history.

For cosmetic surgery, the practice will explain the applicable referral, consultation, psychological screening, informed consent and cooling-off requirements.

Preparing for Surgery

Once you decide to proceed, the practice will provide a personalised preoperative plan. The main practical steps usually include:

  • Completing any requested tests or breast imaging
  • Reviewing medicines, supplements, smoking and nicotine use with the surgical team
  • Arranging transport home and an adult to stay with you on the first night
  • Planning time away from work and help with lifting, children and household tasks
  • Following the hospital’s fasting and admission instructions.

The exact preparation varies between patients. Do not stop prescribed medication unless advised by the appropriate treating practitioner.

Dr Anthony Barker in scrubs and glasses speaking with healthcare colleague in medical setting - in New South Wales, Australia
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Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery

Your Guide to Post-Breast Lift Care

Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are expected during early recovery.

The breasts may initially appear higher, firmer or less even than expected. Their appearance gradually changes as swelling reduces and the tissues settle.

Many patients return to office-based work within approximately one to two weeks. Physical work may require a longer period away.

Gentle walking is encouraged, while heavy lifting, upper-body training and strenuous exercise are generally restricted for approximately four to six weeks or until Dr Barker advises they can be resumed.

Breast shape and scars continue changing over several months. Recovery timeframes vary and cannot be guaranteed.

Risks and Possible Complications of Mastopexy

Breast lift surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, fluid collections, healing difficulties, noticeable scarring, asymmetry, changes in breast or nipple sensation, fat necrosis, partial or total loss of the nipple or areola, blood clots, anaesthetic complications and the possibility of further surgery. Breastfeeding may also be affected.

During a breast lift, the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position while remaining attached to the underlying breast tissue for their blood supply. If this blood supply is reduced, part or all of the nipple and areola, or areas of breast skin, may heal poorly or not survive. This may require prolonged wound care or further surgery and can affect the appearance of the breast, nipple sensation, and ability to breastfeed.

Fat necrosis occurs when areas of fatty breast tissue lose their blood supply. It can cause firm lumps that may need breast imaging or further assessment and, occasionally, further treatment.

Fluid collections, such as blood (haematoma) or clear fluid (seroma), can build up beneath the skin after surgery. Some settle on their own, while others need to be drained or may require a return to the operating theatre.

Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which can be life-threatening. Measures to reduce this risk are planned according to individual risk.

General anaesthesia carries its own risks, including reactions to medicines and breathing or heart problems. The anaesthetist will assess these risks before surgery.

When a breast lift is combined with implants or fat transfer, the risks of those procedures also apply.

Dr Barker will discuss the risks relevant to the proposed procedure and the patient’s individual health during consultation. We cannot guarantee breast shape, symmetry, scar quality, or the duration of the result.

Breast Lift Costs

The cost of breast lift surgery depends on the extent of reshaping required and whether it is combined with an implant, fat transfer or another procedure.

We provide an individualised quotation after consultation, including an outline of the expected surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital fees.

Medicare and private health insurance benefits may be available in selected circumstances, provided you meet all applicable clinical requirements. Medicare does not cover breastlift surgery performed solely for cosmetic reasons.

The practice cannot guarantee eligibility and benefits, and out-of-pocket costs may remain.

Why Choose Dr Anthony Barker?

Dr Anthony Barker is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He performs aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

His approach to mastopexy is based on careful assessment of breast tissue, skin quality, nipple position and existing asymmetry, with a clear discussion of the scar pattern, limitations and available surgical options.

Dr Anthony Barker standing in operating room with surgical lights and medical equipment in background - in New South Wales, Australia

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