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Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Feeling like your breasts have started to sag? A breast lift can help restore natural shape and firmness. We can help bring your breasts back to a comfortable position, providing a balanced look. Rediscover your natural contours and feel great in your own skin.

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Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a popular procedure in Tampa performed by Dr. Polecritti at the Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery, designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts into a more youthful position. Over time, the natural aging process causes breast tissue to decrease and breast fat to increase, often leading to a loss of volume and a droopy appearance. This gradual change is common but can become more pronounced after pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations.

Where are the incisions?

Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery - breast lift page

A breast lift is a nuanced procedure that employs various techniques to achieve symmetry and a rejuvenated look. Dr. Polecritti, a trusted name in Tampa, will discuss the most suitable technique for your needs during your consultation. For many women, an “anchor” incision is used. This involves:

  1. Encircling the areola.
  2. Running vertically down the breast.
  3. Extending along the crease beneath the breast.


This approach allows for the removal of excess skin and reshaping of the breast to achieve a youthful position. In some cases, the areola may also be resized and repositioned for a perkier and more proportional look. For women with minimal sagging, techniques requiring only an incision around the areola may suffice.

Will My Breast Size Be Smaller or Larger After the Lift?

The outcome depends largely on your starting breast tissue and the degree of sagging. Some skin and tissue are removed during the procedure, which may result in slightly smaller breasts. However, the goal is to create a more youthful and proportional shape.

Yes, combining a breast augmentation with a lift is common for women seeking added fullness, especially in the upper part of their breasts. Pregnancy or weight loss often reduces volume in this area, and a breast implant can restore it. This is especially helpful for women with smaller or moderately sized breasts who don’t want their size to decrease further after the lift. Dr. Polecritti tailors these combined procedures to achieve natural-looking and satisfying results.

Is Nursing Affected After a Breast Lift?

Breastfeeding may be impacted by the degree of breast tissue manipulation required to reposition the breasts. If you plan to nurse in the future, it is recommended to delay the procedure until after completing your family, as pregnancy can stretch the breast skin again and counteract the results of the lift.

Will My Scars Be Noticeable?

Scarring is an inevitable part of any breast lift, but Dr. Polecritti strategically places incisions in less noticeable areas, such as around the areola and the breast crease. While some scars may be visible, options like silicone treatments or laser therapy can help minimize their appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Polecritti will explain what to expect and discuss scar management options for optimal results.

Recovery After a Breast Lift

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia at a hospital or surgery center, typically taking about two hours. Most patients return home the same day. Common recovery experiences include swelling, bruising, and mild soreness, which gradually subside within 7–10 days. Dr. Polecritti provides oral medications to manage discomfort.

Patients often return to work within a week, and most sutures are absorbable, with a few key ones removed within 1–2 weeks. Exercise and strenuous activities are generally resumed after Dr. Polecritti’s approval, ensuring a safe recovery and long-lasting results.

A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) treatment in Tampa by Dr. Polecritti is a commonly performed procedure used to reshape and lift the breast into a more youthful position. As women age, the amount of breast tissue gradually decreases and the amount of breast fat increases. Many times there is a net loss of breast tissue and the breast begins to sag and look droopy. This change is typically a gradual one but can be more noticeable in some women shortly after pregnancy.

Where are the incisions?

A breast lift can be a complex procedure. There are many techniques available to achieve symmetry and a more youthful look. A well known plastic surgeon in Tampa, Florida Dr. Polecritti will discuss each of these with you during your consultation in order to determine which technique will give you the best result. In some cases an “anchor” shaped incision will be used. The incision encircles the areola, runs vertically down the front of the breast and then extends to each side hidden within the breast crease. These incisions allow adequate skin and breast tissue to be trimmed and removed reshaping the breasts and positioning them to a higher more youthful position. In many cases, the areola stretches and loses its youthful perky shape. Using these incisions, the areola can be resized, lifted, and repositioned to give a more youthful shape and appearance. Some women who have a lesser degree of sagging or “ptosis” may be canidates for other breast lift techniques which requires an incision just around the areola.

Will my breast size be smaller or larger after the lift?

This largely depends on how much breast tissue you have to start with and the degree of the sagging. Skin and some breast tissue are removed during the procedure that may result in a smaller but more youthful breast.

Can I have a breast augmentation at the same time?

It is common for women to complain about loss of breast fullness in the upper portion of their breasts, usually after pregnancy or weight loss. Even with a lift this can be difficult to correct depending on the degree of sag and amount of breast tissue available. In many cases, the addition of a small to moderate size breast implant solves this lack of fullness and yields excellent results. The addition of a breast implant is also helpful in patients with moderate sized or small breasts to begin with and they don’t want to be even smaller after the lift.

Is nursing affected after a breast lift?

Nursing can be affected by the procedure depending on the degree of breast tissue manipulation required to return the breasts to a more youthful position. If you are considering a breast lift procedure and know you want to breastfeed, it is recommended that you wait. In addition, pregnancy causes the breasts to enlarge. This enlargement can re-stretch the the breast skin which is counter productive to the benefits of the breast lift.

Will my scars be noticeable?

Many of the scars are placed in inconspicuous areas around the areola and along the breasts crease. However, some of the scars may be on visible areas of the breast and an understanding of this should be discussed during your consultation. If you have problematic scars, the use of topical silicone and or laser treatment can be an effective treatment.

Can you describe the recovery?

The procedure is performed at a local hospital or surgery center under general anesthesia. The lift may take two hours depending on the complexity. You will be able to go home the same day. It is common to have some swelling, soreness and bruising. These symptoms gradually resolve within the first week to ten days. You will be given oral medication for any discomfort you may have. Most of the sutures are absorbable but a few are placed in key locations and will be removed within 1-2 weeks. Most patients are able to go back to work within the first week. Dr Polecritti will advise you when to return to exercise or strenuous activity.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift FAQs

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A breast lift, also known as a Mastopexy, is a procedure in which excess skin is removed from around the breasts, and the breasts are reshaped and tightened into the tissue surrounding them.

The results vary per patient and are based on determining factors such as weight loss or gain, pregnancy, skin elasticity, etc. On average, results last between 10-15 years.

In Tampa, Florida, the average cost is around $8,000. The pricing varies depending on various factors, such as the technique and skill utilized during the procedure or whether an augmentation is performed at the same time.

While the size of your breast will not change, many women find they need to size down a cup size due to the amount of excess skin that is removed.  If breast volume is a concern, please discuss your options regarding lift and augmentation with Dr. Marc or Dr. Derek Polecritti.

You will experience some bruising, swelling, and pain.  Symptoms typically reduce within 7 to 10 days.  Your sutures will be removed within 1-2 weeks.  Dr. Polecritti will advise you on timelines regarding returning to your normal activities.

In most cases, yes.  While every precaution is taken during the procedure, there is a minimal risk that nerves or milk ducts may be damaged from the incisions around the areola.  If you plan on having children after your procedure, please discuss your concerns with Dr. Polecritti.

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