The Breasts
Breast Lift
Elevation, Youthfulness, and Architectural Precision.
Elevation, Youthfulness, and Architectural Precision.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, and the natural progression of time all leave their mark on the breast, causing the skin envelope to stretch and the breast to descend from its youthful position. At Edition, we recognize that a woman’s breasts are often central to her sense of self, and this loss of firmness can create a disconnect between how you feel inside and what you see in the mirror. Our mission is to bridge that gap, as Dr. Schwartz restores the elevation, firmness, and perky contour that reflect your internal vitality and confidence.
A mastopexy does not add volume; it restores architecture through a nuanced understanding of anatomy and aesthetic balance. Dr. Schwartz often favors the vertical, or "lollipop," lift for its versatility and superior results, as it allows him to significantly reposition the nipple-areolar complex and reshape the breast tissue with fewer scars than a traditional anchor lift. By prioritizing techniques that provide a lasting "return to form" and a more natural-looking fullness—while avoiding less effective methods like the crescent lift—Dr. Schwartz recreates the youthful architecture and rounder contour that define a rejuvenated breast.
Choosing surgery is a deeply personal decision, and our team is committed to providing a supportive environment where we can openly discuss your goals and concerns. From the initial consultation through every stage of post-operative care, Dr. Schwartz focuses on your safety and the precision of your results, ensuring a transformation that avoids the telltale signs of surgery. At Edition Plastic Surgery, we handle every detail with professional rigor to ensure that your surgical journey is as comfortable and rewarding as the outcome itself.
Breast ptosis—the clinical term for sagging—is graded based on the position of the nipple relative to the breast crease. Dr. Schwartz selects the least invasive technique that reliably achieves your goals, ranging from a periareolar (donut) lift for minor cases to the vertical (lollipop) or Wise-pattern (anchor) incisions for more significant correction. During your consultation at Edition Plastic Surgery, our team determines which approach provides the most refined return to form for your unique anatomy.
At Edition, we believe a mastopexy is more than simple skin removal; it involves meticulously reshaping the internal glandular tissue into a projecting, rounded mound. Dr. Schwartz utilizes parenchymal reshaping techniques that create a durable, lifted result that holds its position over time, rather than relying solely on skin tension. This focus on internal architecture ensures a perky, vibrant silhouette that reflects how our patients feel inside.
The vertical or 'lollipop' lift is often Dr. Schwartz's preferred method because it produces a beautiful, rounder breast contour with fewer scars than a traditional anchor lift. This versatile approach allows for significant repositioning of the nipple while maintaining a natural, elegant appearance. Our technique strikes the ideal balance between achieving a dramatic transformation and minimizing surgical evidence.
The nipple-areolar complex is elevated to the apex of the reshaped breast mound to restore a youthful relationship between the nipple and the breast. If the areola has become enlarged over time, Dr. Schwartz can reduce its dimensions to a more proportional size during the lift. He employs specific pedicle techniques designed to preserve blood supply and sensation, ensuring our results are as functional as they are aesthetic.
Many patients seeking a lift also wish to restore volume lost to pregnancy or weight fluctuations. Combining augmentation with a mastopexy in a single operation addresses both sagging and deflation simultaneously, though it requires precise coordination between implant selection and lift technique. Dr. Schwartz is highly experienced in this combination and will outline whether a staged or combined approach is most appropriate for your goals.
For your safety and absolute comfort, Dr. Schwartz performs breast lift surgery under general anesthesia. Most of our patients are able to return to office work and light daily activities within three to seven days, though we require a three-week wait before returning to exercise or heavy lifting. We provide a comprehensive post-operative plan to ensure your healing process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Dr. Schwartz is meticulous about incision placement and closure to ensure that scars remain as discreet as possible and fade significantly over time. While a lift concentrates existing tissue into a more compact, projecting mound, our practice believes the longevity of the result depends on internal support rather than skin tightness. Our goal is to provide a rejuvenated appearance where the focus remains on your new shape rather than the surgical marks.
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All photographs are of actual Edition Plastic Surgery patients. Individual results may vary.
From your consultation through your final result, the Edition experience is defined by transparency, precision, and attentive care at every step.
Dr. Schwartz will assess the degree of ptosis, the quality of your skin and tissue, and your aesthetic goals. He will explain which technique is most appropriate for your anatomy, whether a combined augmentation is worth considering, and what your realistic result will look like. You will leave with a clear, honest surgical plan.
Our patient concierge coordinates all pre-operative requirements, including lab work, medical clearance, and a comprehensive preparation guide. If augmentation is being combined, implant selection is finalized at a pre-operative planning appointment prior to surgery.
Mastopexy is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, typically taking two to three hours. A combined augmentation mastopexy may take three to four hours. You are discharged the same day with all supplies, instructions, and a follow-up appointment scheduled.
Some tightness, swelling, and bruising is normal and expected. A surgical bra is worn continuously. Light activity around the home is appropriate from day one. The initial result — even before swelling fully resolves — is typically encouraging. A follow-up appointment is scheduled in the first week.
Most patients return to desk work within 5–7 days. Exercise and physically demanding activity are reintroduced gradually over four to six weeks. Scars will be visible and pink initially — this is entirely expected. Dr. Schwartz provides a scar management protocol to optimize long-term healing.
Swelling fully resolves and the breast shape settles into its final position over three to six months. Scars continue to mature and fade over twelve to eighteen months. The final result — elevated, firm, and naturally positioned — reflects the architectural precision Dr. Schwartz applies to every mastopexy.
A mastopexy is deceptively complex — the result must look natural, age gracefully, and hold its position over time. This requires not just technical skill but an eye for proportion and an understanding of how the breast changes. Dr. Schwartz approaches every lift as an architectural problem, with the patient's natural frame as the guide.
Full Credentials →A breast lift addresses positional changes, not volume. Understanding the distinction helps set realistic expectations — and ensures you receive the procedure that will genuinely serve your goals.
If you are unsure whether a lift alone or a combined augmentation mastopexy is the right approach, that question is exactly what a consultation is for. Dr. Schwartz will give you an honest, personalized recommendation.
Answers to the questions Dr. Schwartz hears most often from breast lift patients.
A breast lift (mastopexy) is appropriate when the nipple sits at or below the level of the inframammary fold (the breast crease), or when the breasts feel 'deflated' against the chest. If you have noticed sagging due to pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural aging process, Dr. Schwartz can help restore a more elevated, youthful contour. During your consultation at Edition Plastic Surgery, he will determine the precise degree of ptosis and recommend the most appropriate technique for your anatomy.
A breast lift is designed to reposition existing tissue and the nipple to a higher point on the chest; it does not add new volume. While Dr. Schwartz’s preferred techniques, such as the 'Lollipop' lift, create a very pretty, round shape, they do not change the actual size of the breast. If your goal is to address both sagging and a loss of fullness, our team can perform an augmentation-mastopexy, which combines a lift with implants or fat transfer in a single operation.
The choice of technique depends on the degree of correction required. For minor sagging, a 'Donut' (periareolar) lift may be appropriate, while more significant ptosis requires a Vertical or 'Lollipop' lift. Dr. Schwartz finds the Vertical lift to be exceptionally versatile, as it produces a rounder, fuller contour with fewer scars than a traditional anchor lift. He selects the least extensive technique possible to achieve a reliable, beautiful result while our team provides a comprehensive scar management protocol following surgery.
Dr. Schwartz generally recommends general anesthesia for a breast lift. This ensures your absolute comfort and safety throughout the surgery, providing the best environment for meticulous surgical work. At Edition Plastic Surgery, our team is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive experience where your well-being is our primary focus at every stage of your journey.
Most of our patients return to desk work and light daily activities within 5 to 7 days. You will wear a surgical bra for several weeks to support the new contour. While you can return to light movement early on, Dr. Schwartz recommends waiting at least three weeks for strenuous activity and four to six weeks for heavy lifting. Recovery following a combined lift and augmentation is similar, though you may experience slightly more initial tightness if implants are placed beneath the muscle.
A mastopexy produces long-lasting results, though your breasts will continue to be affected by the natural aging process, gravity, and significant weight changes. Future pregnancies can also affect the surgical outcome. Many of our patients find that maintaining a stable weight and wearing a supportive bra helps preserve their results for years to come. In cases of augmentation-mastopexy, the implant volume can also help maintain upper pole fullness over time.
As with any surgical procedure, risks include scarring, asymmetry, or temporary changes in nipple sensation. At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz minimizes these risks through meticulous surgical technique and attentive post-operative care. Our approach centers on choosing the technique that provides the most dramatic improvement in shape with the least amount of visible scarring, and we walk you through every step of the healing process to ensure a smooth recovery.
The cost of a breast lift is determined by the specific technique required and the complexity of your unique case. Because every woman’s body and goals are different, Dr. Schwartz provides a detailed, transparent quote during your initial consultation. This ensures you have a clear understanding of the investment required for your personalized surgical plan and the premium level of care provided at our practice.
At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz performs each breast lift as an outpatient procedure, prioritizing your safety and comfort as the foundation of the experience. While you focus on rest during the first few days, most of our patients feel ready to return to office-based work and light daily activities within three to seven days. Dr. Schwartz recommends avoiding strenuous movement initially, though you are typically cleared for exercise by the three-week mark as your more youthful, lifted contour settles. Throughout your recovery, our dedicated concierge team manages every detail of your aftercare—including a specialized scar management protocol—to ensure your healing is as meticulously refined as your surgery.