• Anesthesia:
    General
  • Duration:
    1.5 to 2.5 hours
  • Pain level:
    3/10
  • Recovery time:
    7 to 14 days
  • Resuming physical activities:
    4 to 6 weeks

Mastopexy (or breast lift) at Phi Plastic Surgery is a surgical procedure to tighten the skin and reposition the breast areola and nipple to their original position. It is performed under general anesthesia.

Breast position and shape is affected by aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight loss. As such, your breasts may gradually descend (also referred to as breast ptosis) with time. A breast lift may be performed to reposition breast tissue and to correct ptosis. The nipple is repositioned on the chest, which can help restore a more youthful appearance of the breast.

This is a purely aesthetic procedure and, therefore, not covered by the RAMQ. This can be combined with other breast procedures, such as breast augmentation via implants or lipofilling.

Patients who are good candidates for this procedure:

  • Healthy weight
  • No significant medical problems
  • Non-smokers
  • Not on blood thinners
  • Droopy breasts
  • Are happy with the size of their breasts

Patients who are poor candidates for this procedure:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Significant medical problems
  • Taking blood thinners
  • Droopy and heavy breasts
  • Want to significantly change the size of their breasts (to increase your breast size, see lift-augmentation, for decreasing your breast size, see breast reduction)

Are you a good candidate?

Our Self-Evaluation Quiz can help you decide if a breast lift is the proper procedure for you.

Techniques for Breast Lift

The breast lift scar depends on how much skin needs to be removed. This can be limited to around the areola via a lollipop incision or by using an anchor incision (left to right). During your consultation, Dr. Gdalevitch will determine which technique will give you the best results. In some cases, a combination of a lift and augmentation can be performed to both enhance breast volume, as well as reshape and reposition the breasts.

  1. Lollipop incision – Incisions are made around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. This technique is best suited for women with moderate breast sag.
  2. Anchor incision – An incision is made around the areola with incisions leading vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease fold. This technique is ideal for women who experience moderate to severe forms of breast ptosis (sagging).

Discover the procedure through live surgeries

Breast lift presentation

Breast Lift with Small Reduction

Consent for Breast lift

Pre op instructions for Breast lift

At Phi Plastic Surgery, we believe that a beautiful body can take many shapes and sizes. The Phi philosophy centers on respecting your body's proportions and helping you let your inner beauty shine.

We offer our patients the best, most advanced techniques to help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Pre-op & post-op instructions

These pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions are provided as essential services for you. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimum results. If there are instructions that need to be clarified, please feel free to contact our office as soon as possible. If some instructions are not followed, your surgery could be delayed if deemed necessary by your surgeon.

Pre-op INSTRUCTIONS

ONE MONTH before your surgery

  • Stop using contraceptive pills or hormone therapy.
  • A pre-operative visit (if necessary) approximately one month before your surgery will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

THREE WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop all consumption of collagen.
  • Complete your pre-operative tests. Be sure to complete all prescribed pre-operative tests (ECG blood tests, etc.). If your tests’ medical results and clearances are received on time, your surgery may be completed on time.
  • Prepare your surgery date: Plan to ensure a stress-free experience. Arrange your work leave and special assistance to help you with a ride home. Prepare your return by organizing meals, delivery, babysitting, etc. Make sure you have someone scheduled to accompany you home after your surgery. Someone should also be on-call to help you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.

TWO WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Aspirin, drugs containing aspirin or any anticoagulants such as Arixtra pf, clopidogrel, Plavix, coumadin, dalteparin, edoxaban, eliquis, apixaban, enoxaparin, Fragmin pfsyringe, lepirudin, Pradaxa, dabigatran etexilate, Xarelto, rivaroxaban.
  • A pre-operative visit (if necessary) approximately two weeks before your surgery will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

SEVEN DAYS before your surgery

  • Stop taking any supplements or medications from the list below. These products can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. Stop consuming any non-prescribed supplements, including: Omega 3-6, nutricap, echinacea, glucosamine, fat burners, St. John’s wort.
  • Confirm your surgical support plan: This includes your transportation and post-surgical care, including an adult family member or a friend on-call for your support 24 hours after your surgery.
  • Purchase any prescription provided by Dr. Gdalevitch (If applicable) and revise your pre-surgical instructions.

The day BEFORE your surgery

Prepare a bag. It should include the following:

  • All necessary papers
  • Your identification (RAMQ card)
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Glasses if necessary
  • Confirm who will assist you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Take a shower. Use a non-perfumed soap. Wash your hair. Do not put cream or lotions. Do not put deodorants, hair products, perfumes, or makeup on.
  • Remove any nail varnish (even if transparent) from your hands and feet, including shellac, resin, gel or acrylic. All this reduces the risk of post-surgical infections, and nails are monitored for blood circulation.
  • Do not eat or drink dark liquids for 8 hours before your surgery. Do not drink any light liquids 6 hours before your surgery. Anything you eat can cause the cancellation of your surgery and increase the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia. This includes sweets, mints, chewing gum, tea or coffee. You can take a minimal amount of water after brushing your teeth or taking medication.
  • Relax. Enjoy a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

YOUR SURGERY DAY

  • Do not drink or eat on the day of your surgery.
  • Do not train before surgery.
  • Please bring your medications which have been prescribed to you in a bag as above.
  • Please bring your compression socks if they have been prescribed to you.
  • Do not wear any makeup, jewellery, contact lenses, hairpin or piercings: during surgery, an electric cautery is used, and any piercing or jewellery can cause burns.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Wear a top that opens forward. Do not wear a sweater, turtleneck or tight clothing. You can wear a skirt, but pants and a jogging jacket are ideal. Flat shoes that are easy to put on and remove (no heels) should be worn. A lip balm is recommended.

post-op instructions

When you get home

You can expect to have some pain in the breasts. You may feel like it is challenging to take a deep breath.

To help you rest comfortably, follow these instructions:

  1. Take extra-strength Tylenol every 4 hours
  2. Take an anti-nausea medication such as Gravol 30 minutes before taking your prescribed pain medication
  3. Take your pain medication as prescribed
  4. Take your antibiotics as prescribed
  5. Try and rest in a semi-sitting position until bedtime
  6. Avoid using your arms for anything strenuous
  7. Keep your surgical bra in place
  8. Apply ice to your upper breast area (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off)

Contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Pain that is not controlled by the pain medication
  • One breast is unusually large, painful and bruised.
  • A fever of greater than 38.5
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Hallucinations or incoherent behaviour
  • Pain or swelling of one calf
  • Excessive bleeding through your dressing
  • Incapable of urinating

The first day following surgery

  • Your pain will start to dissipate after 48 hours.
  • Avoid staying in bed all day, and rest in a semi-sitting position.
  • Avoid strenuous activities with your arms.

Healing and follow up

  • Your breasts will not be fully healed for 4-8 weeks.
  • Exercise is not permitted until four weeks after surgery.
  • You should rest for at least one week after surgery and gradually regain daily activities, except for strenuous upper body activities or exercise.

You will have a follow-up appointment 1-2 weeks after surgery, then at one month and three months.

Your results

Recovery from a breast lift generally consists of taking pain medication for 48 hours after surgery. Your breasts will not be fully healed for 4-8 weeks after surgery, during which time you will need to avoid strenuous activity like exercise.

A breast lift will help you obtain a more youthful breast shape and will accomplish the following:

  • Reduce excess skin and create a firmer look and feel
  • Position the breasts higher on the chest
  • Raise the nipple to a higher position
  • Increase self-confidence that comes with a restored breast shape and position

The result is a rejuvenated, firmer breast that is aesthetically pleasing.

View most frequently asked questions

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?

If you like your breasts’ volume but find that your breasts and nipples are sagging, you are the perfect candidate for a breast lift.

How do I know if I need a breast lift or an augmentation?

The best way to answer this question is to see if you like the size of your breasts in a bra (without padding). If the answer is yes, then a breast lift will be enough to reshape and rejuvenate your breasts. If you want to have more volume and you find that your breasts are too small or deflated, you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. If your breasts and nipples sag and you find them too small, you may need a combination of a breast lift and breast augmentation.

What do breast lift scars look like?

The scars depend on how much skin needs to be removed in order to lift the breasts. For some women, a scar around the areola with vertical extension (lollipop) is enough, while women with lots of skin excess need the boat anchor incision. The scars do fade over two years.

Am I going to lose sensation in my nipples?

Nipple sensation is preserved but can be increased or decreased in the first weeks after the operation.

How much does the procedure cost?

Mastopexy (breast lift)

starting at $11,000

For a more beautiful and proportional you!

φ Phi is the Greek symbol that indicates the golden ratio, a ratio that is synonymous with beauty.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch offers a unique approach that involves applying the principles of perfect proportions (phi) to help you achieve your aesthetic and reconstructive goals.

PHI Surgery, Dr Perry Gdalevitch
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