Westlake: 512-327-5337
Cedar Park: (512) 327-5337
A breast lift (mastopexy) at Hall Plastic Surgery restores breast position, shape, and firmness — without changing your size. Every procedure is performed personally by Dr. Jeffrey Hall in our accredited on-site surgical facility at Westlake. Appointments at Westlake and Cedar Park.
A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position. It does not change breast volume — it corrects the position and shape of breast tissue that has descended due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or natural aging. It is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.
Breast ptosis — the clinical term for breast drooping — is graded on a scale of I to III based on how far the nipple has descended relative to the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast). The technique Dr. Hall uses depends on the degree of ptosis: mild ptosis may be addressed with a periareolar (“donut”) approach with a scar only around the areola; moderate ptosis typically requires a vertical or lollipop technique with an additional scar running to the fold; and significant ptosis calls for a full anchor or inverted-T incision pattern.
Many patients combine a breast lift with breast augmentation — particularly those who have lost volume as well as position following pregnancy or weight loss. A combined augmentation-mastopexy addresses both concerns in one operation, one anesthesia, and one recovery. Dr. Hall evaluates at consultation whether lift alone or lift-plus-augmentation better fits your anatomy and goals.
For patients who want to reduce size at the same time, a breast reduction also lifts the breast as part of the procedure — it is, technically, a mastopexy with tissue removal.
Hall Plastic Surgery — Westlake, Austin TX · Mastopexy by Dr. Jeffrey Hall
No single technique is right for every patient. Dr. Hall selects the approach based on your degree of ptosis, the quality and quantity of your skin, and the outcome you are trying to achieve. Every technique involves some scarring — understanding the trade-off between scar length and lift result is a key part of the consultation conversation.
The periareolar technique places a single circular scar around the edge of the areola. It is appropriate only for mild ptosis — patients with a small amount of descent and good skin quality. The lift achieved is modest. It is not appropriate for moderate or severe ptosis and should not be oversold as a “scarless lift.”
The vertical mastopexy adds a vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold — producing a “lollipop” scar pattern. This technique allows significantly more tissue reshaping and lift than the periareolar approach and works well for moderate ptosis with good tissue volume.
The anchor technique adds a horizontal scar along the inframammary fold to the lollipop pattern — creating three scars total. It provides the most complete lift, the most skin removal, and the most reshaping capability. It is the standard approach for significant ptosis, large breast reductions, and post-massive-weight-loss cases.
Your consultation is with Dr. Hall personally — not a patient coordinator or aesthetician. It covers everything you need to make an informed decision.
Dr. Hall grades your ptosis by examining nipple position relative to your inframammary fold. This objective measurement directly determines which technique is appropriate for your anatomy — it removes guesswork from the process and ensures the recommendation is based on what your tissue actually requires, not on preference for a particular technique.
Dr. Hall assesses how much breast volume you have and whether it is appropriate for your goals. If you have lost significant volume alongside position — common after pregnancy and breastfeeding — lift alone may leave the upper pole flat. He will explain clearly whether you are a candidate for lift-only or whether combined augmentation-mastopexy is worth considering.
Based on the physical examination, Dr. Hall recommends a specific technique and explains the scar pattern it produces. The scar trade-off is discussed honestly — a more extensive technique produces a better, more durable lift but a longer scar. Dr. Hall does not minimize scars or oversell minimal-scar techniques to patients who need more extensive work.
If you are also considering tummy tuck or other body contouring — as in a Mommy Makeover — Dr. Hall evaluates whether combining procedures in a single operation makes sense for your health and goals. Combining reduces total recovery time and anesthesia exposure, but is appropriate only when operative time and patient safety allow.
A realistic recovery timeline, specific restrictions, total cost, and available financing options are covered before you leave. You leave with a clear plan — or complete information to decide on your own timeline. No pressure.
The primary indicator for a breast lift is breast ptosis — descent of the breast tissue and nipple below the inframammary fold. The cause doesn’t change the anatomy: whether descent is due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss, natural aging, or a combination, the correction is the same surgical approach applied to whatever the examination reveals.
The most common candidates are:
A breast lift does not add volume — if your primary concern is that your breasts feel “empty” or flat, particularly in the upper pole, a combined augmentation-mastopexy is likely the more appropriate procedure. Dr. Hall makes this assessment at examination, not by assumption.
Breast lift is not appropriate during pregnancy or active breastfeeding. Patients planning future pregnancies should discuss timing with Dr. Hall, as pregnancy can alter the results of a lift.
Recovery from a breast lift is longer than augmentation-only because of the additional tissue work and incision length involved. The timeline below reflects a typical mastopexy recovery; augmentation-mastopexy recovery is similar with slightly more initial soreness from the implant pocket.
Soreness, swelling, and tightness across the chest. Surgical bra worn continuously. Prescription pain medication provided; most patients transition to over-the-counter relief within 72 hours. Drains are not typically required for a standard mastopexy.
Return to desk work and light daily activity for most patients. Driving permitted once off prescription medication — typically day 5–7. First post-operative appointment with Dr. Hall within the first week. Incision sites are checked and wound care instructions reviewed.
Bruising resolves. Breast shape begins to settle. Incision scars will appear pink and slightly raised at this stage — this is normal and expected. Silagen scar gel initiated per Dr. Hall’s instructions. Avoiding lifting anything over 10 lbs; no exercise involving upper body or chest strain.
Light to moderate exercise permitted — lower body workouts, walking. Upper body and high-impact activities restricted until Dr. Hall clears them at your 6-week follow-up. Breast shape continues to improve as swelling resolves.
Final breast shape is visible as all swelling has resolved. Scars continue to fade over 12–18 months from surgery. Most patients describe the 3–6 month mark as when they truly see the result they were expecting — the shape is settled and scars are well on their way to fading.
Dr. Hall has been performing breast lift and augmentation-mastopexy procedures in Austin for over 25 years. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), continuously since 1997 — a credential requiring accredited surgical residency training, written and oral board examinations, and ongoing continuing education.
Mastopexy is technically more demanding than augmentation-only surgery. The result depends on tissue handling, incision design, and a surgeon’s judgment about how much skin to remove — remove too little and the lift is inadequate; remove too much and healing is compromised. That judgment comes from case volume and experience. Dr. Hall brings both, and his approach is straightforward: he recommends the technique that will give you the best result for your anatomy, not the simplest technique or the one that minimizes his own technical demands.
For augmentation-mastopexy cases — one of the most technically complex combinations in breast surgery — Dr. Hall’s experience is particularly relevant. The tension between the augmentation (which tends to pull tissue forward and down) and the lift (which pulls tissue up and in) must be managed carefully to produce a durable, proportionate result. Dr. Hall has performed this combination extensively and discusses the specific planning considerations at consultation.
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A breast lift (mastopexy) corrects the position of the breast — it raises descended tissue, removes excess skin, and repositions the nipple. It does not change breast size. Breast augmentation changes breast volume using implants or fat transfer but does not address drooping. If you have both volume loss and descent — common after pregnancy — a combined augmentation-mastopexy addresses both in one operation. Dr. Hall determines which approach fits your anatomy at consultation.
Not significantly. A lift removes excess skin and reshapes the breast envelope but does not remove or add breast tissue. You may fill a bra slightly differently because the tissue is repositioned — patients sometimes report their bra fits better or feels fuller after a lift — but the lift itself does not increase or decrease cup size in the way augmentation or reduction does. If changing cup size is also a goal, discuss that at consultation so Dr. Hall can recommend the appropriate procedure or combination.
Breast lift scars are permanent but typically fade significantly over 12–18 months. The extent depends on the technique: periareolar scars sit at the areola border and are often barely visible; vertical scars on the lower pole fade well; inframammary scars sit in the fold where they are largely hidden by the breast itself. Dr. Hall uses meticulous closure technique and recommends Silagen scar gel post-operatively to optimize healing. The trade-off — more lift requires more incision — is discussed honestly at consultation. Most patients report that at 12 months, the scars are a non-issue compared to their pre-surgical concerns about drooping.
This depends on what is actually present on examination. Lift alone is appropriate when position is the primary problem and you have adequate volume. Augmentation alone is appropriate when volume is the primary concern and position is acceptable. Combined augmentation-mastopexy is appropriate when both volume loss and ptosis are present — which is very common after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dr. Hall evaluates your specific anatomy at consultation and makes a clear recommendation based on what he finds.
A breast lift produces long-lasting results, but it does not stop the natural aging process. Most patients maintain significantly improved position for 10–15 years or longer before any meaningful re-descent occurs. Factors that accelerate re-ptosis include significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy after surgery, and loss of skin elasticity with age. Patients who remain at a stable weight and avoid pregnancy after surgery tend to maintain results longest. Dr. Hall discusses realistic longevity expectations at consultation based on your skin quality and age.
In most cases, a breast lift does not prevent breastfeeding. The nipple-areola complex is typically moved as a pedicle — a connected flap of tissue — rather than detached and reattached, which preserves milk duct continuity in most patients. However, any breast surgery carries some risk of affecting milk production or nipple sensation, and this should be discussed with Dr. Hall if preserving breastfeeding ability is a priority. Patients who have not yet completed their family are generally advised to discuss the timing implications of breast lift surgery at consultation.
An augmentation-mastopexy is the combination of breast augmentation (implants or fat transfer) and breast lift performed in a single operation. It addresses patients who have both volume loss and ptosis — the most common presentation after pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is technically more complex than either procedure performed alone because the tension vectors of the two procedures work in opposing directions. Dr. Hall has extensive experience with this combination and discusses the specific planning considerations at consultation.
Breast lift cost in Austin depends on the technique required, surgical complexity, and anesthesia. Pricing at Hall Plastic Surgery is discussed at your consultation after Dr. Hall has evaluated your specific case. Patient financing is available through several partners, including 0% APR options for qualified borrowers. Visit the financing page to learn more and apply online.
Most patients return to desk work and light daily activity within 7–10 days. Upper body exercise and strenuous activity are restricted for 6–8 weeks. Final breast shape is visible at 3–6 months when all swelling has resolved. A full week-by-week recovery timeline is discussed at consultation and reviewed at your pre-operative appointment.
Yes. A breast lift combined with a tummy tuck — and often liposuction — is the core of a Mommy Makeover. Combining these procedures in a single operation reduces total recovery time compared to staging them. Dr. Hall evaluates whether combining procedures is appropriate based on the patient’s overall health, the procedures involved, and expected operative time. Combination surgery is not appropriate for all patients — candidacy is assessed at consultation.
Consultations at Hall Plastic Surgery are conducted personally by Dr. Hall — not a coordinator or nurse consultant. Available at Westlake (300 Beardsley Lane, Austin TX 78746) and Cedar Park (301 Denali Pass Dr, Cedar Park TX 78613). Call (512) 327-5337 or use the contact form to schedule.
Many breast lift patients benefit from learning about related procedures — either to combine with lift or as alternatives depending on examination findings.
300 Beardsley Lane, Bldg C Ste 101
Austin, TX 78746
Mon–Thu: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Accredited on-site surgical facility — all breast lift procedures performed here
Call (512) 327-5337301 Denali Pass Dr Suite 6
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu: By appointment
Consultations & medspa services — surgery at Westlake
Call (512) 327-5337Consultations are in-person and with Dr. Hall personally. He’ll examine your anatomy, explain which technique is right for you, and give you an honest assessment of what surgery can accomplish — no pressure to decide on the day. Appointments at Westlake and Cedar Park.