Breast
Overview
About Breast Lift
A breast lift (mastopexy) raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening surrounding tissue. It's an ideal option when volume is adequate but position and firmness have changed with time, pregnancy, or weight change.
A lift can be combined with augmentation to restore both position and fullness in a single procedure, tailored to your goals.
✚ Medically reviewed by Dr. Helena Guarda, MD — Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery. Last reviewed August 2026.
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Procedure Time
2–3 hours
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Anesthesia
General
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Initial Recovery
1–2 weeks
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Results
Long-lasting
Every plan is individualized — the details above are typical ranges and are confirmed during your consultation.
Why Patients Choose It
Benefits at a glance
- ✓Firmer, more youthful contour
- ✓Repositioned, elevated breasts
- ✓Reduced skin stretching
- ✓Can be combined with augmentation
Is It Right for You?
Are you a good candidate?
You may be a good candidate for breast lift if some of the following apply. The best way to know is a personal consultation with Dr. Guarda.
- ✓Your breasts sag or have lost firmness
- ✓Your nipples point downward or sit below the crease
- ✓You have stretched skin or enlarged areolas
- ✓Volume is adequate but position has changed
- ✓You are finished with pregnancy and nursing
- ✓You are healthy with realistic expectations
What to Expect
Your journey, step by step
1
Consultation
Meet with Dr. Guarda to share your goals, review your health history, and design a plan tailored to you.
2
Preparation
Receive clear pre-operative instructions — and any needed lab work — so you feel fully prepared for the day of surgery.
3
Procedure
Your procedure is performed with meticulous care in an accredited surgical setting, prioritizing safety and natural results.
4
Recovery & Results
Follow a guided recovery with scheduled follow-ups as your final results gradually take shape.
Recovery
Recovery timeline
A general guide to what recovery looks like. Dr. Guarda provides a personalized timeline based on your body and your plan.
First 24–48 hours
Rest at home with support nearby. Some swelling, bruising, and tenderness are normal and managed with prescribed medication.
First 1–2 weeks
Most patients return to desk work and light activity. Follow-up visits confirm you're healing well; avoid strenuous movement and heavy lifting.
Weeks 2–6
Gradually resume exercise as Dr. Guarda clears you. Swelling continues to subside and your new contour becomes more defined.
3+ months
Final results settle as tissues fully heal and any scars continue to soften and fade.
Preparation
How to prepare
- ✓Complete a thorough consultation and any required lab work or medical clearance
- ✓Stop smoking well before and after surgery to support healing
- ✓Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements as directed by Dr. Guarda
- ✓Arrange a ride home and help at home for the first few days
- ✓Fill prescriptions and set up a comfortable recovery space in advance
Safety
Risks & safety
As with any surgery, breast lift carries some risks — which may include bleeding, infection, changes in sensation, scarring, and reactions to anesthesia. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon operating in an accredited facility significantly lowers these risks. Dr. Guarda reviews your complete medical history and discusses every risk — and how it is minimized — during your consultation, so you can make a fully informed decision.
Results
Results & longevity
Results from breast lift are designed to look natural and last. While aging, pregnancy, and major weight changes can affect your outcome over time, maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve your results for many years.
Questions & Answers
Breast Lift FAQs
Answers to questions patients ask most. Have another? We're glad to help.
What's the difference between a breast lift and augmentation?
A lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts but doesn't add volume, while augmentation adds fullness. Many patients combine the two to restore both position and volume in one procedure.
Will a breast lift change my breast size?
A lift primarily reshapes and elevates. Breasts may look slightly smaller and firmer; if you want more fullness, an implant can be added.
How visible are the scars?
Incision patterns vary with the degree of lift needed. Dr. Guarda places them to be as discreet as possible, and they typically fade well over time.
Local Care
Breast Lift in Suffolk & Hampton Roads
Dr. Helena Guarda proudly serves patients across Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the greater Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Our practice is located at 5131 River Club Drive, Suite 110, Suffolk, VA 23435 — convenient to coastal Virginia communities seeking breast lift with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
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Considering Breast Lift?
Your individual consultation with Dr. Guarda awaits. Call or send a message with any questions you may have.