Are you thinking about getting a breast lift in Vancouver? A Breast Lift, also known as Mastopexy, is a procedure that lifts the breasts by removing excess skin which reshapes the breasts and restores a youthful contour.
Your breasts can lose their shape and firmness as part of the aging process. These changes can also be a result of pregnancy and significant fluctuations in weight.
A breast lift can boost self-confidence and self-esteem for many women.
Am I a Candidate For a Breast Lift?
You may be a candidate for a Breast Lift if you are dissatisfied with the way your breasts sag.
You should be in good physical health for surgery and should not be doing it to fit an ideal image of what your body should look like.
A breast lift will not change the size of your breasts significantly, however, the procedure can be performed in combination with breast augmentation surgery.
Contact us to discuss if the procedure is right for you.
Breast Lift Procedure
A Breast Lift is commonly performed under general anesthetic so you are comfortable during surgery. In some cases, local anesthetic is an option.
Depending on the technique used, incisions may be made around the areolae, downward from the areola to the breast crease, or horizontally along the breast crease.
Stitches may be placed to reshape your breast tissue and the size of your areolae may be reduced if necessary.
Excess skin is removed and the nipples are re-positioned. The incisions are then closed with stitches or adhesives.
The surgery should take about two or three hours, and you may be able to go home on the same day depending on the type of anesthesia administered during surgery.
Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery
Dressings will be applied after surgery and you may need to wear a support bra that will help support your breasts during the healing process.
Swelling during the recovery period is normal and will subside over time. Pain medication may be prescribed to help manage the healing process.
You will be provided instructions on how to care for your breasts after surgery and when to follow up with your surgeon.
Breast Lift Results
You are likely to feel better about your appearance as a result of a breast lift as outcomes in most cases are good.
Scars may be visible for up to a year after surgery and will becomes less obvious over time.
A healthy lifestyle will help ensure long term results, however, the aging process my cause your breasts to sag again. Maintaining your weight will also help extend the results of a breast lift.
Breast Lift Surgery Risks and Complications
Understanding the risks and benefits is important when deciding to have a breast lift done.
The risks of a breast lift include infection, scarring, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding, and asymmetry.
Following your doctor’s instructions will reduce the risk of any complications. Talk to your surgeon if you have any concerns about the procedure.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you understand all the potential risks of the procedure.
Cost of a Breast Lift Procedure in Vancouver, BC
The cost of a breast lift will vary depending on the surgeon’s experience and procedure used. You will also need to consider the cost of prescriptions for medication, and follow-up care after surgery.
Health insurance plans do not usually cover cosmetic surgery, however, financing may be offered by your plastic surgeon.
Contact us to find out if you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the average cost of a Breast Lift in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) typically ranges from $10,000 to $18,000 CAD. If combined with breast implants (augmentation-mastopexy), the cost increases to approximately $12,000 to $19,500 CAD. This comprehensive fee includes the surgeon’s specialist fee, FRCPC anesthesiologist costs, and operating room time at an NHMSFAP-accredited surgical facility. Because surgical complexity varies depending on your degree of ptosis (sagging), we provide a fully transparent, itemized quote during your initial consultation.
2. Is a Breast Lift covered by MSP in British Columbia?
No. A Breast Lift is classified as an elective cosmetic surgery and is not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia. MSP only covers breast surgeries deemed medically necessary, such as cancer reconstruction or specific cases of massive breast reduction for chronic pain. However, we partner with reputable Canadian medical financing companies like Beautifi and Medicard to offer our Vancouver patients flexible, manageable monthly payment plans.
3. What is the difference between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation?
A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) surgically elevates sagging tissue (ptosis), removes excess skin, and repositions the nipple higher on the chest wall. It improves breast shape but does not significantly change cup size. Breast Augmentation uses cohesive silicone gel implants to increase breast volume and upper pole fullness but cannot fix severely drooping nipples. Patients in Vancouver frequently combine both procedures to achieve a lifted, fuller, and more youthful silhouette.
4. Will I need implants with my Breast Lift?
Not necessarily. If you are satisfied with your natural breast volume but unhappy with sagging, a lift alone is sufficient. We often utilize an advanced technique called auto-augmentation, where your existing breast parenchyma (glandular tissue) is reshaped and folded under the nipple to create natural upper pole fullness without synthetic implants. However, if pregnancy or weight loss has left your breasts deflated, adding implants will restore lost volume.
5. What type of scars will I have after a Mastopexy?
Scarring depends on your degree of sagging. Mild sagging requires a periareolar (donut) incision around the areola. Moderate ptosis requires a vertical (lollipop) incision extending down to the breast crease. Severe sagging necessitates an inverted-T (anchor) incision running along the inframammary fold. We use meticulous suturing techniques so these scars eventually fade into flat, pale lines over 12 to 18 months, easily hidden under swimwear at Kitsilano Beach.
6. Where is the breast lift surgery performed?
Patient safety is our absolute priority. All mastopexy procedures are performed in a state-of-the-art private surgical centre fully accredited by the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program (NHMSFAP) of BC. Located conveniently in the Lower Mainland, our facility utilizes modern monitoring equipment and is staffed by highly trained perioperative nurses to ensure your surgery meets the highest Canadian medical standards.
7. What type of anesthesia is used for a Mastopexy?
Because a breast lift involves extensive tissue reshaping and skin excision, it is performed under General Anesthesia. You will be completely asleep and pain-free. To guarantee the highest level of safety, your anesthesia is administered exclusively by a specialist Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC). They monitor your airway, vitals, and core temperature meticulously throughout the entire operation.
8. How long is the recovery time for a Breast Lift?
Most Vancouver patients require 1 to 2 weeks off from desk work. During the initial recovery, you will experience swelling and tightness. You must avoid lifting anything over 10 lbs (including toddlers or heavy groceries) for 4 to 6 weeks to protect the internal sutures. Short, low-impact walks on flat terrain like the Vancouver Seawall are encouraged immediately to promote blood flow and prevent blood clots (DVT).
9. Will I need surgical drains after my Breast Lift?
In many cases, yes. We frequently use small, closed-suction Jackson-Pratt (JP) drains to prevent the accumulation of excess fluid (seroma) or blood (hematoma) within the breast tissue. These drains are completely painless and are typically removed in our Vancouver clinic within 3 to 7 days post-op. We provide simple, step-by-step instructions on how to easily empty and record your drain output at home.
10. Can I breastfeed after having a Mastopexy?
While possible, a breast lift involves cutting and repositioning breast tissue, which can sever milk ducts and glandular nerves. Consequently, a mastopexy carries a significant risk of impairing future milk production and lactation. If you plan to have more children and breastfeed, we strongly advise our Vancouver patients to postpone their breast lift until their family is complete to protect both their surgical results and breastfeeding ability.
11. How long do Breast Lift results last?
The removal of excess skin and reshaping of the breast tissue is permanent. However, surgery does not halt the natural aging process. Over the years, gravity, loss of skin elasticity, and hormonal changes will cause the breasts to gradually settle. Maintaining a stable weight and avoiding future pregnancies are the best ways to protect your surgical investment and maintain a youthful, lifted contour for decades.
12. What is Auto-Augmentation during a Breast Lift?
Auto-augmentation is a specialized mastopexy technique ideal for patients who want upper pole fullness without synthetic implants. Instead of discarding the lower breast tissue, an expert plastic surgeon preserves this breast parenchyma and folds it upward, securing it behind the nipple-areolar complex. This acts as a natural, internal implant, providing a beautiful, lifted shape using solely your own living tissue.
13. Can a Breast Lift correct asymmetrical breasts?
Absolutely. Breast asymmetry is incredibly common. During a mastopexy, we can tailor the surgical plan for each individual breast. We might remove more skin from the droopier breast (unilateral ptosis) or combine the lift with a minor reduction on the larger side to create a balanced, proportionate chest. Achieving optimal symmetry is a primary goal discussed extensively during your Vancouver consultation.
14. Will I lose sensation in my nipples after surgery?
Temporary numbness or hypersensitivity in the nipple-areolar complex is very common post-operatively due to surgical swelling and nerve stretching. As the sensory nerves slowly regenerate, normal sensation typically returns within 3 to 6 months. While permanent loss of nipple sensation is a known surgical risk, it is relatively rare when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon using tissue-preserving techniques.
15. Why must I stop smoking before a Breast Lift?
Nicotine is a powerful vasoconstrictor that starves healing tissues of oxygen and essential blood flow. Continuing to smoke, vape, or use nicotine patches drastically increases the risk of catastrophic complications, including tissue necrosis (death of the nipple or skin) and severe wound dehiscence (incisions splitting open). You must be completely nicotine-free for a strict minimum of 4 to 6 weeks before and after surgery.
16. When can I resume exercise and going to the gym?
You must begin short, slow walks immediately on Day 1 to prevent blood clots. By weeks 2-3, brisk walking is permitted. However, running, high-impact cardio, and heavy lower-body lifting must be avoided for 4 weeks. Targeted upper-body workouts involving the pectoral muscles (like push-ups or chest presses) are strictly prohibited for 6 to 8 weeks to ensure your internal fascial sutures heal completely.
17. Can I combine a Breast Lift with a Tummy Tuck?
Yes, combining a Mastopexy with an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is famously known as a Mommy Makeover. Combining surgeries allows you to endure only one general anesthetic and one unified recovery period. However, patient safety is our priority. We strictly limit total operative time to under 6 hours to minimize physiological stress. If your surgical plan is too extensive, we may recommend staging the procedures.
18. How do I sleep after Breast Lift surgery?
You must sleep strictly on your back (supine position) with your upper body elevated at a 30 to 45-degree angle for the first 2 to 3 weeks. We highly recommend purchasing a wedge pillow system. Sleeping elevated significantly reduces post-operative swelling and prevents painful fluid accumulation. You must also wear your surgical compression bra 24/7 to support the healing tissues as they settle.
19. Will a Breast Lift affect my future mammograms?
No, a breast lift will not prevent you from having mammograms. However, surgical scarring can occasionally cause minor tissue changes that show up on imaging. You must inform your X-ray technician that you have had a mastopexy so they can accurately read the results. We encourage all our patients to follow the standard breast cancer screening guidelines established by BC Cancer.
20. How do I choose the best Breast Lift surgeon in Vancouver?
Never compromise on credentials. Ensure your surgeon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) specifically in Plastic Surgery. This guarantees rigorous anatomical training. Check their standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and review specific before-and-after galleries of breast lift patients, looking for well-placed nipples, smooth contours, and cleanly healed incisions.
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Service Area Locations
Dr Anzarut Plastic Surgery in Vancouver serves Kitsilano, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Langley, and White Rock in Metro Vancouver (Lower Mainland), British Columbia.
Dr Anzarut Plastic Surgery in Duncan serves Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River, Parksville, Port Alberni, Ladysmith, Cowichan Valley, and Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Vancouver
Whether you have experienced massive weight loss, finished breastfeeding, or are simply experiencing the natural effects of gravity, a breast lift (mastopexy) restores a youthful, elevated contour. However, it trades sagging tissue for a permanent scar. This comprehensive checklist covers every clinical, financial, and logistical detail you must know before proceeding with breast surgery in British Columbia.
I. Surgeon & Facility Vetting (The “Who” and “Where”)
- FRCSC Certification: Verify your surgeon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery.
- Cosmetic vs. Plastic: In BC, any doctor can legally use the title “Cosmetic Surgeon.” Only FRCSC indicates a fully trained, board-certified plastic surgeon.
- NHMSFAP Accreditation: Your surgery must occur in a private facility accredited by the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program (NHMSFAP) of BC.
- CPSBC Standing: Search the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC directory to confirm your surgeon has a clean disciplinary record.
- Hospital Privileges: A top-tier Vancouver surgeon will have admitting privileges at major hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) or St. Paul’s for emergency continuity of care.
- Anesthesia Provider: Ensure your general anesthesia is administered by an FRCPC Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, not a general practitioner.
- Breast-Specific Experience: Review the surgeon’s gallery specifically for lifts, not just augmentations. Lifts require significantly more tissue-shaping expertise.
- Before & After Consistency: Look closely at the final nipple position and the neatness of the scars in the clinic’s portfolio.
- Consultation Depth: The surgeon must physically measure your degree of ptosis (sagging) relative to the inframammary fold (breast crease).
- Revision Protocol: Understand the clinic’s policy and fees if a minor scar revision or “bottoming out” correction is needed a year later.
II. Financials & BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Cost Range in Vancouver: A standalone mastopexy typically ranges from $10,000 to $18,000 CAD. If combined with implants, the cost is roughly $12,000 to $19,500 CAD.
- MSP Non-Coverage: A breast lift is elective and not covered by MSP. MSP only covers massive breast reductions for chronic pain (requiring a GP referral and strict gram-removal criteria).
- 5% GST: Elective cosmetic surgery is subject to the 5% GST in Canada.
- Medical Financing: Most Lower Mainland clinics partner with Beautifi or Medicard for flexible monthly payment plans.
- Quote Transparency: Ensure your quote explicitly includes the surgeon’s fee, OR time, anesthesia, and your post-op surgical bra.
- Consultation Fees: Ask if the initial consult fee ($150-$300) is deducted from your final surgery cost.
- Deposit Policy: Securing an OR date usually requires a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 to $2,500.
- Tax Deductibility: Cosmetic mastopexy is generally not a tax-deductible medical expense in Canada.
- Prescription Budget: Budget $100 to $150 for painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-nausea meds at your local pharmacy.
- Time Off Work: Budget 1 to 2 weeks for desk jobs, and 4 to 6 weeks for jobs requiring heavy lifting or extended upper-body movement.
III. Anatomy & Candidacy
- Ptosis Grading: Surgeons grade sagging from Grade I (mild) to Grade III (severe) based on where the nipple sits below the breast crease.
- Pseudoptosis: When the lower breast sags, but the nipple remains above the crease. Often corrected with implants alone, without a full lift.
- Breast Parenchyma: The glandular tissue of your breast. A skilled surgeon reshapes this tissue, not just the skin.
- Skin Elasticity: If you have extensive stretch marks (striae), your skin has poor elasticity and is more prone to stretching out again post-surgery.
- Auto-Augmentation: A technique where your own lower breast tissue is folded under the nipple to create upper pole fullness without synthetic implants.
- Breast Asymmetry: Most women have asymmetrical breasts. Surgery vastly improves symmetry, but mathematical perfection is impossible.
- Tuberous Breast Deformity: A condition where the lower breast is constricted. Requires specialized tissue scoring and often implants, not just a standard lift.
- Future Pregnancies: You should be completely finished having children. A subsequent pregnancy will re-stretch the skin and ruin the lift.
- Breastfeeding Implications: A mastopexy involves severing milk ducts and glandular nerves. It carries a high risk of permanently impairing future milk production.
- Realistic Expectations: You are trading a sagging breast shape for permanent, visible scars on the breast.
IV. Surgical Techniques & Scar Placement
- Crescent Lift: Removes a small sliver of skin above the areola. Only for very mild sagging.
- Periareolar Lift (Benelli/Donut): A circular scar entirely around the areola. Good for mild ptosis and areola reduction, but can flatten the breast if overused.
- Vertical Lift (Lollipop/Lejour): A scar around the areola and straight down to the crease. The gold standard for moderate sagging; creates excellent projection.
- Inverted-T Lift (Anchor/Wise Pattern): Adds a horizontal scar along the breast crease. Required for severe, Grade III ptosis and significant skin removal.
- Areola Reduction: Pregnancy often stretches the nipple-areolar complex (NAC). A lift reduces and reshapes the areola to a youthful proportion.
- Internal Bra (Mesh): For patients with very weak skin, surgeons may use a surgical mesh (like GalaFLEX) internally to support the lifted tissue and prevent recurrent sagging.
- Nipple Sensation Preservation: Advanced techniques attempt to preserve the neurovascular pedicle that supplies sensation to the nipple.
- Suture Types: Surgeons use deep, dissolving fascial sutures to hold the structural tension, minimizing “railroad-track” marks on the skin’s surface.
- Dog Ears: Small puckers of skin at the outer edges of the breast crease. These often flatten out, but can be revised in-office if they persist.
- The T-Junction: The point where the vertical and horizontal scars meet in an anchor lift. It is the most vulnerable spot for delayed healing.
V. Preparing for Surgery
- Nicotine Ban: You MUST stop smoking/vaping 4-6 weeks prior. Nicotine restricts blood vessels, leading to nipple necrosis (loss of the nipple) and massive wound separation.
- Blood Thinners: Discontinue Aspirin, Advil, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Ginseng two weeks prior to minimize hematoma risks.
- Pre-Op Bloodwork: You will need CBC and clotting tests at a local LifeLabs location 2 weeks before surgery.
- Mammogram Baseline: Patients over 40 should have a recent, clear mammogram on file per BC Cancer guidelines before undergoing breast surgery.
- Wardrobe Prep: Buy oversized, zip-up or button-down shirts. You will not be able to raise your arms to pull a shirt over your head.
- Pillow Fort: Buy a wedge pillow. You must sleep strictly on your back, elevated at a 45-degree angle, to reduce severe swelling.
- Escort Home: You cannot take an Uber or BC Transit. A responsible adult must drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
- Meal Prep: Cook and freeze low-sodium meals. Salt exacerbates post-operative edema.
- Childcare Logistics: You cannot lift anything heavier than 10 lbs (including toddlers) for 4-6 weeks.
- Hygiene: Shower with an antibacterial soap (Hibiclens) the night before to reduce infection risks.
VI. The Surgical Experience
- General Anesthesia: You will be fully asleep, comfortable, and monitored by an FRCPC anesthesiologist.
- Duration: The surgery typically takes 2.5 to 4 hours.
- DVT Prevention: Sequential Compression Devices (SCD boots) will massage your lower legs in the OR to prevent blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis).
- Hypothermia Prevention: Bair Hugger warming blankets are used to maintain core temperature and reduce cardiac stress.
- PONV Protocols: Anti-nausea medications (like Zofran) are administered preemptively.
- Jackson-Pratt Drains: You may wake up with small plastic tubes draining fluid from your breasts to prevent seromas.
- Pain Pumps / Exparel: Ask if your surgeon injects long-acting local anesthetics directly into the chest to block pain for the first 72 hours.
- Surgical Bra: You will wake up already wearing a specialized surgical compression bra (e.g., Marena or Surgical Couture).
- Recovery Room: You will be monitored for 1-2 hours until grogginess subsides.
- Discharge: Mastopexy is an outpatient day surgery; you will go home the same afternoon.
VII. Immediate Recovery (First 2 Weeks)
- Strict Supine Sleeping: You must sleep on your back. Rolling onto your side will stretch the incisions and shift the healing tissue.
- Compression 24/7: You must wear the surgical bra day and night for 4-6 weeks to support the healing tissues.
- Drain Management: If you have drains, you must empty them and record the output twice daily until the surgeon removes them (Days 3-7).
- Swelling Peak: Swelling and water retention peak at Days 3 to 5. Your breasts may look boxy or excessively high—this is normal.
- Bruising Migration: Gravity will pull bruising down onto your ribcage and upper abdomen.
- Pain Control: Managed with prescribed opioids for 3-5 days, followed by Tylenol. It feels like a severe, tight muscle ache.
- Constipation: Opioids cause constipation. Start taking RestoraLAX immediately post-op.
- Showering/Hygiene: You will rely on sponge baths until your drains are removed and your surgeon clears you to shower.
- Driving Ban: No driving while on narcotics, or until you can safely turn the steering wheel without chest pain (approx. 2 weeks).
- Walking: You must take short, slow walks around the house immediately on Day 1 to prevent DVT blood clots.
VIII. Long-Term Recovery & Results
- The “Fluff and Drop”: Lifted breasts (especially with implants) will sit unnaturally high initially. It takes 3 to 6 months for the muscle to relax and the tissue to settle natively.
- Scar Maturation: Scars are red, raised, and firm for 3-6 months. It takes 12 to 18 months for them to fade to flat, pale lines.
- Silicone Scar Therapy: Once incisions are completely closed, apply medical-grade silicone gel (Biocorneum) daily to flatten scars.
- Bottoming Out: A risk where the lower breast tissue stretches over time, causing the nipple to point upward. Excellent surgical technique minimizes this.
- Numbness & “Zingers”: The nipples and lower breast will be numb for months, eventually replaced by itchy, “zinging” electrical sensations as nerves heal.
- Exercise Return: The flat Vancouver Seawall is great for early walking. No heavy upper-body lifting, push-ups, or yoga for 6 to 8 weeks.
- UV Protection: Vancouver sun can permanently darken fresh scars (hyperpigmentation). Keep incisions covered in the summer.
- Underwire Bra Ban: Do not wear underwire bras for at least 6 weeks, as the wire can rub against and open the incisions on the breast crease.
- Final Contour: You will see immediate improvement, but the final, refined result takes 6 to 12 months to fully emerge.
- Wardrobe Patience: Don’t buy expensive new lingerie until the 6-month mark when deep swelling is completely gone.
IX. Risks & Complications (The “What Ifs”)
- Wound Dehiscence: The incision splitting open, most commonly at the “T-junction” under the breast. Usually heals slowly with specific dressing changes.
- Seroma: A pocket of fluid under the skin. Easily drained in the office with a needle.
- Hematoma: Blood pooling in the breast, usually within 24 hours. May require a return to the OR to stop the bleeding.
- Infection (Mastitis/Cellulitis): Requires immediate oral or IV antibiotics. Keep incisions clean.
- Nipple Necrosis: The most severe complication. Partial or complete death of the nipple-areolar complex due to compromised blood supply.
- Fat Necrosis: Hard, painless lumps of dead fat tissue inside the breast. Often mistaken for cancer but completely benign.
- Hypertrophic Scarring: Thick, raised, red scars. Treatable with steroid injections.
- Keloid Scars: Severe, overgrown scars. High risk for patients with darker skin tones.
- Asymmetry: Minor differences in breast volume or nipple height.
- Permanent Numbness: Irreversible loss of erotic sensation in the nipple.
X. Local Logistics & Combination Surgeries
- Mommy Makeover: A breast lift is frequently combined with an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) for a complete maternal transformation.
- Augmentation-Mastopexy: Combining a lift with implants. This is technically the most difficult breast surgery and requires an elite surgeon.
- Traffic Logistics: Avoid the Lions Gate or Ironworkers bridges during rush hour on your painful drive home from the Vancouver surgical center.
- Winter Recovery: Fall and winter are the best times for breast surgery in Vancouver, as loose sweaters easily hide your surgical bra and drains.
- Rain Gear: Buy an oversized, zip-up raincoat. You cannot struggle into a tight pullover shell jacket with fresh incisions.
- Flying Restrictions (YVR): You cannot fly for at least 2 weeks post-op due to the severe DVT risk at cabin altitude.
- Avoid Medical Tourism: Traveling abroad for a lift leaves you without access to your surgeon if a T-junction wound opens or a hematoma occurs back in BC.
- Second Opinions: Consult with at least two FRCSC plastic surgeons in the Lower Mainland to compare their recommended scar patterns (e.g., Lollipop vs. Anchor).
- Pressure Tactics: If a clinic pushes you to book immediately with a “limited-time discount,” walk away. Medical safety has a fixed cost.
- The Psychological Payoff: The recovery requires patience and restricted mobility, but the ultimate reward is profound confidence, better clothing fit, and a permanently rejuvenated silhouette.
