Can You Get a Breast Lift Without Implants?

You like your breast size. You just wish everything sat a little higher.

If that sounds familiar, you may assume that getting a breast lift means getting implants too. But adding volume and lifting the breasts are two different things, and you do not necessarily need an implant to change the shape and position of your breasts.

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, can reshape and reposition your existing breast tissue without adding an implant. This can be an option when the breasts have changed with age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, but you are still happy with the amount of breast tissue you have.

That does not mean implants never have a role. Whether a breast lift alone can give you the result you are looking for depends on how much natural breast tissue you have and, just as importantly, what you actually want your breasts to look like after surgery.

At art&fact, a surgeon-led plastic surgery and medical aesthetics clinic in Calgary, Alberta, breast lift surgery is performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your breasts, talk about what you are hoping to change, and determine whether a breast lift alone or a breast lift with implants makes the most sense for you.

What Does a Breast Lift Do Without Implants?

A breast lift reshapes the breast using your existing breast tissue. During surgery, excess skin is removed and the remaining breast tissue is reshaped and repositioned higher on the chest. The nipple and areola can also be moved to a higher position if needed.

What a breast lift does not do is add volume. Without an implant, your surgeon is using the breast tissue you already have to create the new shape. This can help address sagging, stretched skin, downward pointing nipples, or breasts that have lost their shape over time.

For some patients, that is exactly what they want. They are happy with their breast size but want their breasts to sit higher and have a more lifted shape. If you also want more fullness, especially in the upper portion of the breast, a breast lift alone may not give you the result you are looking for.

This is where the difference between lifting the breast and adding volume becomes important.

Can You Add Volume Without Breast Implants?

Yes. If you want a breast lift but would also like some additional fullness, implants are not your only option. A breast lift can sometimes be combined with fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, which uses fat from another area of your body to add volume to specific areas of the breast.

Fat grafting uses liposuction to remove fat from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The fat is then prepared and transferred to the breasts to add fullness where it is needed.

The biggest difference is the amount of volume that can be added. Fat grafting is generally better suited to someone looking for a more modest increase in fullness, while an implant allows for a greater and more predictable increase in volume. Fat grafting also requires enough donor fat, and some of the transferred fat will naturally be reabsorbed by the body.

At art&fact in Calgary, breast lift surgery is performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons. During your consultation, your surgeon can assess your breasts, talk about what you are hoping to change, and discuss whether a breast lift alone, a breast lift with fat grafting, or a breast lift with implants may be appropriate for you.

Will My Breasts Look Smaller After a Breast Lift?

This is a common question, especially if you are already happy with your breast size and do not want to lose volume.

A breast lift does not typically remove a significant amount of breast tissue. Instead, excess skin is removed and the existing breast tissue is reshaped and repositioned. However, your breasts may look slightly smaller after surgery because they are sitting higher on the chest and have a different shape.

Bra cup size can also change after a breast lift, but cup size is not always a reliable way to measure the result. How a bra fits depends on the brand, band size, breast shape, and where the breast tissue sits on the chest.

If maintaining your current volume is important to you, this is something to discuss during your consultation. Your surgeon can explain how a breast lift may change the overall shape and appearance of your breasts based on your existing tissue.

What About Upper Pole Fullness?

A breast lift can change the position and shape of the breasts, but it does not necessarily create fullness in the upper portion of the breast.

This is an important distinction because lifting the breast and adding upper pole fullness are not the same thing. If your main concern is sagging and you are happy with the amount of breast tissue you have, a breast lift alone may give you the result you are looking for.

If you also want more fullness at the top of the breast or more volume overall, your surgeon may discuss adding fat grafting or an implant to your breast lift. Fat grafting can provide a more modest increase in fullness, while an implant can provide more noticeable and predictable volume.

This is something that is important to talk about during your consultation. Bringing photos of breast shapes and results you like can also be helpful. It gives your surgeon a better idea of what you are hoping to achieve and whether a breast lift alone can get you there.

What Do Breast Lift Scars Look Like?

A breast lift requires incisions because excess skin needs to be removed in order to reshape and lift the breast. The incision pattern your surgeon uses depends on several factors, including how much sagging is present, how much skin needs to be removed, and how far the nipple and areola need to be repositioned.

How Do Breast Lift Scars Heal?

Breast lift scars are permanent, but their appearance changes as they heal. Early on, the incisions may look pink, red, or more noticeable. Over time, scars generally soften and fade, although how a scar ultimately looks varies from person to person.

Scar placement also depends on the type of breast lift you need. A smaller lift may require fewer incisions, while more significant lifting and reshaping may require an anchor or lollipop incision.

During your consultation at art&fact, your plastic surgeon will assess how much sagging is present, your skin, and the position of your breast tissue before recommending an incision pattern. They can also show you where your scars are likely to be and talk about how they typically heal.

What Is Recovery Like After a Breast Lift?

Swelling, bruising, tightness, and some discomfort are normal during the first few weeks after a breast lift. Most patients gradually return to their regular routine as they heal, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting will need to wait.

Your recovery may look a little different depending on your surgery and how your body heals. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions for your surgical garment, activity restrictions, and return to exercise.

What does a Breast Lift Cost in Calgary?

Because every breast lift is tailored to each patient’s goals and anatomy, pricing is confirmed at your consultation once your surgeon has mapped out exactly what your plan involves. For reference, a breast lift at art&fact starts at $13,800 plus GST. Your consultation includes a written treatment plan with exact pricing before you make any decision.

Breast Lift FAQs

Can a breast lift affect nipple sensation?

Yes. Changes in nipple or breast sensation can happen after a breast lift. These changes may be temporary as the breasts heal, but in some cases changes in sensation can be permanent.

What happens to my breast lift if I get pregnant or breastfeed?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the size and shape of your breasts, which may affect the results of a previous breast lift. The breasts may stretch or begin to sag again, although how much they change varies from person to person.

If you are planning a pregnancy in the near future, you may want to discuss the timing of your breast lift with your plastic surgeon. Breastfeeding may still be possible after a breast lift, but surgery can also affect your ability to breastfeed.

How long do breast lift results last?

Breast lift results are long lasting, but your breasts will continue to change naturally over time. Aging, pregnancy, weight changes, and changes in skin elasticity can all affect the shape and position of the breasts after surgery.

Who performs breast lift surgery at art&fact?

Breast lift surgery at art&fact is performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons: Dr. Alexandra Hatchell, Dr. Mieke Heyns, Dr. Aaron Knox, Dr. Peter Mankowski, and Dr. Justin Yeung. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your breasts, talk about what you are hoping to change, and discuss which approach may be right for you.

Book a Breast Lift Consultation in Calgary

If you are considering a breast lift, the next step is a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and explain your options so you can make an informed decision.

art&fact is located at 2403 33 Avenue SW in Calgary's Marda Loop. Call (403) 800-9157 or book a consultation through our contact page.

We look forward to meeting you!

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