A breast lift is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to reshape your breasts. During a breast lift, the plastic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to lift it. A breast lift is also known as a mastopexy. You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

A breast lift won’t change the size of your breasts. However, a breast lift can be done with breast augmentation or breast reduction.

Breasts change with age. They often lose firmness. And they become less elastic, which means the skin doesn’t snap back into place after being stretched. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including:

Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the bands of tissue that support the breasts (ligaments) might stretch. This happens as the breasts get fuller and heavier. The stretching might cause sagging breasts after pregnancy. This may happen whether or not you breastfeed your baby.

Weight changes: Changes in weight can cause the breast skin to stretch. It also can cause breast skin to become less elastic.

Gravity: Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.