Aesthetic concern
Breast position.
Sometimes the concern is not size but where the breast sits. When the nipple drops below the crease and upper fullness fades, a lift restores shape without necessarily changing volume.
Shape first
Position over size
3D imaging
At every consultation
AAAASF
Accredited surgical suite
Dr. Kirwan
Board-certified surgeon
Overview
Lifting, not enlarging.
Sagging, or ptosis, happens when skin and ligaments stretch and the breast descends on the chest. Pregnancy, weight change, and time all contribute, and it is measured by where the nipple sits relative to the breast crease.
A breast lift repositions the tissue and nipple to a natural height and rebuilds upper-pole shape. Dr. Kirwan favors techniques that limit scarring and reduce the risk of “bottoming out,” sometimes adding volume only if you also want more fullness.
Contributing factors
What causes sagging.
Pregnancy
Weight change
Gravity and time
Skin quality
What you might notice
How to recognize it.
Nipple
- Sits at or below the crease
- Points downward
- Enlarged areola
Upper pole
- Flattened, empty look
- Fullness has dropped low
- Gap at the top of the bra
Shape
- Elongated appearance
- Breast falls to the sides
- Skin looks stretched
Fit
- Bras ride up
- Breasts need lifting into place
- Clothing hangs differently
Treatment options
Restoring the shape.
Breast lift
Removes excess skin and repositions the nipple and tissue to a natural height, rebuilding a youthful, lifted shape.
Procedure detailLift with augmentation
Adds an implant or fat when you want both a lift and more upper-pole fullness in one procedure.
Procedure detailBreast reduction
When heaviness contributes to the descent, reducing and lifting together relieves symptoms and improves position.
Procedure detail
Medical content on this page is illustrative and is reviewed with Dr. Kirwan before any treatment is recommended. Images do not represent patient results.
Questions
Common questions.
Will a lift make me smaller?
A lift reshapes and repositions without removing much volume. If you want to stay full up top, an implant or fat can be added; if you want less, a reduction is combined.
Where are the scars?
Scars depend on the degree of lift, typically around the areola and down the front, sometimes in the crease. Dr. Kirwan uses shorter-scar techniques where possible, and they fade over time.
Do I need implants to get upper fullness?
Not always. A well-designed lift can restore much of the upper shape; implants are added only when you want more volume than your own tissue provides.
How long do results last?
A lift resets position durably, though pregnancy, weight change, and gravity continue. Good support and stable weight extend the result.
Next step
Reset the shape.
Imaging and measurement show exactly how much lift — and whether any volume — will give you the most natural result.