I was nervous about looking overdone. We talked through sizing for almost an hour and the result looks like me before breastfeeding, just lifted.Priya S.Airdrie
Breast lift in Calgary
Raise and reshape breasts that sit lower after nursing, using your own tissue.
Position, not size
A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises the breast and nipple, removes stretched skin and reshapes the tissue into a firmer, higher contour. It is the right choice when you like your size but not where your breasts sit.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding enlarge the breast, then shrink it, stretching the skin and supporting ligaments. The result is often a nipple pointing downward and breast tissue sitting low on the chest. Surgeons grade this sagging, called ptosis, on the Regnault scale; the grade guides which lift technique is used.
Signs a breast lift may suit you
- Your nipples sit at or below the fold under your breast
- Your nipples point downward
- Areolas have stretched and enlarged since pregnancy
- You are happy with your size in a bra but not without one
If you have also lost upper fullness, a lift with implants may suit you better.
The breast lift process
- GradingYour surgeon measures nipple position relative to the fold, skin quality and symmetry to choose a technique.
- MarkingThe new nipple position and incision pattern are marked with you standing.
- SurgeryUnder general anaesthesia, excess skin is removed, tissue is reshaped and the nipple and areola are moved higher and often reduced in size. Typically two to three hours.
- RecoveryA supportive bra for several weeks, desk work in about a week, and no heavy lifting for around four to six weeks.
Breast lift techniques compared
| Technique | Best for | Scar pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent or periareolar | Mild sagging, enlarged areolas | Around part or all of the areola |
| Vertical (lollipop) | Moderate sagging, the most common after pregnancy | Around the areola and down to the fold |
| Wise pattern (anchor) | Severe sagging or a lot of excess skin | Around the areola, down to the fold and along the fold |
Breast lift cost factors
- Technique and the operating time it requires
- Correction of asymmetry between breasts
- Anaesthesia and accredited facility fees
- Adding implants or fat transfer
- Post-surgical bras and scar care
- GST on cosmetic procedures
Scar care in Calgary's dry climate
Breast lift scars fade best when kept hydrated and out of the sun. Calgary's low humidity and strong high-altitude sun make silicone gel and diligent sunscreen worth the effort for the first year, especially on chest scars exposed by summer tops.
Why choose us for a breast lift
The smallest scar that does the job
Your surgeon grades your sagging and recommends the least extensive technique that will actually lift the breast. A periareolar lift on breasts that need a vertical lift gives a poor, flattened result, so you will hear the reasoning behind the recommended pattern.
Regnault grading at every consultationShape and symmetry planned together
Almost every breast is asymmetric after nursing. Lifts are marked individually so the nipples end up level and the breasts match as closely as possible, including reducing stretched areolas to a size in proportion with the new shape.
Performed by Royal College certified plastic surgeonsA scar care plan for the first year
We give you a written schedule for silicone, massage and sun protection, and check scar progress at follow-up. If a scar thickens, early treatment options such as laser are available through our refinement services.
Twelve-month scar care scheduleWhat Calgary patients say about breast lift
Having both procedures done together meant one recovery instead of two. My husband took two weeks off, my mom helped with the kids, and the staged plan made it manageable.Alyssa K.Okotoks
My breasts stayed two cup sizes bigger after my last baby and my shoulders ached every day. The reduction gave me my posture back.Jenna M.Calgary, Tuscany
After two kids my core never came back, no matter how much I trained. The muscle repair made a bigger difference than I expected, and the recovery plan meant I always knew what week two and week six should feel like.Danielle R.Calgary, Mahogany
Breast Lift questions
Will a breast lift make my breasts bigger?
No. A lift repositions and reshapes existing tissue. Breasts often look fuller because the tissue is gathered higher, but the volume does not increase unless an implant or fat transfer is added.
What scars does a breast lift leave?
Depending on the technique, scars run around the areola, down from the areola to the fold, and sometimes along the fold. Your surgeon chooses the smallest pattern that achieves the lift you need.
Can I breastfeed after a lift?
Many techniques keep the nipple attached to underlying tissue, which preserves the potential to breastfeed, but it cannot be guaranteed. Most patients wait until they are finished having children.
How long does a breast lift last?
The new position is long-lasting, but gravity, ageing and weight changes continue. A future pregnancy can stretch the breast again.
Often combined with breast lift
Talk to us about breast lift in Calgary
Book a private consultation. No obligation, no pressure, and a written plan you can take home.