Breast Lift Surgery: One Knoxville Mother of 4 Reveals Her Story

Published by Dr. Jay Lucas, MD, a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

Key Takeaways 

• A breast lift reshapes and elevates the breasts without increasing size.
• In comparison, a breast augmentation adds volume, using implants or fat grafting, and can be combined with a lift.
• Like Sarah, many women feel a loss of confidence after pregnancy and breastfeeding, making them consider surgical options.
• Sarah’s outcome highlights how personalized care and choosing the right procedure and surgeon can restore not just physical appearance, but also confidence and self-assurance. 

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Gravity and aging take their toll on us all, and sadly, they also tend to take their toll on women’s breasts. For small-chested and large-chested women alike, sagging or drooping breasts are a common concern with age — and for many women, even more so because of how pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding affect their bodies. 

Rest assured: if you’re feeling insecure because you’re not as “perky” as you used to be, you’re not alone. 

This was the situation one of our patients, Sarah, found herself in when she came to The Lucas Center a few years ago. After breastfeeding and caring for four babies, she no longer felt confident about her physique. When a local friend referred her to Dr. Lucas in Knoxville, she decided it was time to once again prioritize her own body and her sense of self-worth with breast lift surgery. 

Let’s take a look at what breast lift surgery (aka mastopexy) is, how it’s different from a breast augmentation, and Sarah’s experience right here in Knoxville. 

What Does Breast Lift Surgery Involve? Understanding the Procedure

Also known as mastopexy, the breast lift procedure is essentially about removing excess skin and repositioning the breast tissue higher up on the chest wall to give a more lifted, youthful appearance. 

Depending on your unique body and desired results, breast lift surgical techniques pair well with:

• Breast augmentation to increase size (more on this below!) 
• Fat grafting to enhance volume
• Contouring to improve symmetry (if your breasts have different sizes or positions)

Key Differences: Comparing Breast Lift Surgery vs. Breast Augmentation

Whereas mastopexy is all about repositioning and lifting the breasts while removing any excess skin, a breast augmentation increases the size of your breasts. In short, a lift enhances position and “perkiness,” and an augmentation enhances size. Typically, both procedures offer the option for Dr. Lucas to improve symmetry and, to some degree, breast shape. 

But did you know… a breast augmentation can be performed with or without implants!

• For a breast augmentation without implants: Dr. Lucas uses fat grafting (taking excess fat from one area of your body, processing it, and injecting it into your breasts) to add volume to your breasts. Size increases are modest this way, but the results are soft and very natural-looking. 
• For a breast augmentation with implants: Dr. Lucas places silicone inserts into your breasts to add volume. With these, you will likely achieve a greater and more predictable increase in size.

Depending on your body and your desired results, you may be interested in both procedures: a breast augmentation and a lift. 

In fact, breast lift and breast augmentation often make a great combo, as in Sarah’s case. Plus, Dr. Lucas can perform them both at the same time, which is a huge win!

For more, check out our blog on the combination of the breast lift + breast augmentation.

Are your breasts bigger than you’d like, or are you unhappy with a previous breast surgery at a different plastic surgery center? Breast reduction and breast implant removal are also options that may help you feel more confident and comfortable with your physique.

The Surgical Techniques Dr. Lucas Uses for Optimal Results

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lucas stays up to date with best practices and techniques to deliver successful results for you, whatever procedure you may choose. 

Here are some of Dr. Lucas’s techniques for breast lift success:

• Using small, precise incisions
• Discreet placement of incisions (usually hidden under the fold of your breast) to minimize scarring and give you natural-looking results 
• Enhancing the shape and symmetry of your breasts with fat grafting, as needed
• Personalization: In your breast lift consultation before surgery, Dr. Lucas listens to your needs and wants, then uses his expertise to translate them into a highly customized surgical plan that suits you.  

Sarah’s Breast Lift Experience Before, During, & After Surgery

Now that you know more about both breast lift and breast augmentation, let’s get back to Sarah’s real-world experience of this powerful surgical combo. 

Before surgery, Sarah was feeling insecure about the toll motherhood had taken on her breasts over time. But she also wasn’t sure if she was ready to take the step of surgery until her close friend shared her own experience and surgical outcome at The Lucas Center. That was the boost Sarah needed to come in for her own consultation. 

In this video, Sarah describes the extraordinarily personal care and attention she was given at The Lucas Center. In her consultation, Dr. Lucas and his team addressed her doubts and questions about things like breast lift recovery time, surgery and recovery logistics (especially with four kids at home!), and more. With that kind of support, she knew was ready to take this big step toward achieving confidence in herself again. 

Sarah’s procedure went very smoothly, and Dr. Lucas even called her personally the next day to check on her. When she needed the extra support of antibiotics, he called those in for her right away, even though it was a weekend. 

After her successful recovery, Sarah’s confidence blossomed: 

“After I had it, I felt completely confident, actually. It helped me become more confident in my decision-making. And that seems strange, right? You would think, ‘Why would boobs do that?’ But it’s true!”

Check out our YouTube channel for several more short videos about Sarah’s story and perspective, plus other testimonials from patients Dr. Lucas has helped on their journeys toward real, lasting confidence.

Personalized Care for East Tennessee Patients at The Lucas Center

Just like Sarah, when you come into The Lucas Center, you can expect your health, your needs, and your wants to be our priorities. We believe that every patient who walks through our doors in Knoxville is unique and deserves to feel confident in their own body and skin — and confident they’re in good hands moving forward! 

That’s why a consultation with Dr. Lucas includes an overall health assessment, discussion of desired results, detailed analysis of the targeted surgical area, and plenty of time to get answers to your questions and understand cost and payment options. 

What Does the Breast Lift Recovery Timeline Typically Look Like?

Every person’s body is unique, and Dr. Lucas will give you specific healing and recovery instructions after surgery. (Following these is essential for a smooth recovery!) 

In general, however, recovery from a breast lift generally involves several stages. Most patients can return to light activities within a week, although strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4-6 weeks. Swelling and discomfort are common at first but gradually subside over time. During this recovery period, make sure you nourish your healing body with nutrient-dense food and plenty of water. 

In the long term, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper breast care will help ensure long-lasting results, allowing you to enjoy your rejuvenated appearance for many years.

Deciding Which Breast Surgery Option is Best for Your Desired Outcome

As you’ve learned, there are a variety of breast surgeries to address different concerns. 

Here’s a quick recap of what some of them address: 

• Breast lift — removes excess skin and repositions for a “perkier” look
• Breast augmentation — increases the volume of the breasts
• Breast reduction — decreases breast volume
• Implant removal (sometimes called breast revision) — changes or corrects issues from previous breast surgery

And of course, some of them can be combined to suit your unique needs and desired results. 

So, how do you determine which procedure (or combo) is a fit for you? Start by finding an East Tennessee plastic surgery clinic and surgeon you can trust. (Be sure to check their credentials and their reviews!) That way, you’ll be able to get expert advice customized to your body and your goals. 

Naturally, our team here at The Lucas Center would love to help on your journey toward confidence! When you’re ready, give us a call at (865) 217-0572 or schedule online.