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Plastic surgery · London

Breast uplift (mastopexy), by a BAAPS plastic surgeon.

A precise, pattern-matched breast lift for Regnault Grade 1 to 3 ptosis, by a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register, in a CQC-registered London hospital with overnight beds and 24/7 medical cover.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private mastopexy costs in London.

Procedure Indicative range
Mastopexy alone (periareolar, minor Grade 1) £7,500–£9,500
Mastopexy alone (vertical lollipop, Grade 2) £8,500–£11,000
Mastopexy alone (Wise pattern, Grade 3) £9,500–£12,500
Mastopexy with implant augmentation (Aug-Pexy) £9,500–£16,500
Internal support mesh (GalaFLEX P4HB) from £1,800 add-on
Second-opinion review of a proposed plan £250–£450

Prices vary by consultant, hospital, whether an implant or internal mesh is used, and the complexity of your ptosis. Combined mastopexy with augmentation is sometimes staged 3–6 months apart in selected cases.

The journey

From first message to twelve-month scar review.

One team from first appointment to follow-up, including the assessment, the operation, and the year of scar review.

  1. 03

    Before

    Consultation and planning

    A full face-to-face assessment. Ptosis grade, skin quality, nipple position, mammography if you are 40 or over, and a two-week cooling-off period before booking.

  2. 04

    On the day

    Arrival at the hospital

    Admission, markings on the standing patient, consent, and time with your anaesthetist. TED stockings and calf compression for DVT prevention.

  3. 05

    On the day

    The mastopexy itself

    Two to three hours under general anaesthetic. Periareolar, vertical lollipop or Wise pattern depending on the plan.

  4. 06

    On the day

    Overnight or home the same day

    Most patients stay one night. A surgical support bra is fitted before you leave, with written aftercare and a 24 hour contact number.

  5. 07

    After

    Follow-up and scar review

    Wound checks at one and two weeks. Scar review at three, six and twelve months. Silicone tape or gel from week three to soften the scar.

When a mastopexy helps

Regnault ptosis grades, and what fits each.

Ptosis is graded by where the nipple sits relative to the inframammary fold. The grade drives the scar pattern and the realistic result.

  • Grade 1 mild ptosis

    Nipple sits at the inframammary fold (IMF). A periareolar (Benelli / donut) lift can work when there is enough upper-pole fullness.

  • Grade 2 moderate ptosis

    Nipple sits below the IMF but still points forward. A vertical lollipop (Le Jour or SPAIR) usually gives the best shape.

  • Grade 3 severe ptosis

    Nipple sits well below the IMF and points down. An anchor (Wise pattern) gives the shape control large ptosis needs.

  • Grade 4 pseudo-ptosis

    Breast tissue hangs below the IMF but the nipple stays above. Treatment focuses on lower-pole reshaping rather than nipple elevation.

  • Post-pregnancy or post-breastfeeding change

    Skin stretch, volume loss and lower-pole descent. A mastopexy restores shape; adding an implant restores volume.

  • After significant weight loss

    Deflated, hanging breasts with poor skin quality. Wise-pattern mastopexy, often as part of a wider body-contouring plan.

  • Age-related and gravitational descent

    Gradual ptosis over decades. A well-planned lift restores a youthful contour without changing cup size.

  • Red flag: a new lump, skin change or bloody nipple discharge

    Needs a breast clinic assessment on the two-week-wait pathway, not a cosmetic booking.

Techniques

What each option involves, and which grade of ptosis it fits.

  • Periareolar (Benelli / donut)

    A single scar around the areola. Only suits minor Grade 1 ptosis with existing upper-pole fullness. Can flatten the projection if pushed too far.

  • Vertical lollipop (Le Jour, SPAIR)

    Scar around the areola plus a vertical line to the IMF. The workhorse for Grade 2, with strong projection and no long horizontal scar.

  • Anchor / Wise pattern

    Periareolar, vertical, and a horizontal scar in the IMF. Best shape control for Grade 3 ptosis, large volumes and post-weight-loss skin.

  • Mastopexy with implant (Aug-Pexy)

    A lift combined with a silicone implant when you also want more volume. In selected cases we stage the two operations 3–6 months apart.

  • Internal breast reshaping bra (GalaFLEX)

    An absorbable P4HB mesh placed inside the breast to hold shape while your own tissue heals into it. Adds long-term support in high-risk skin.

  • Nipple and areola resizing

    A large or stretched areola is reduced at the same time. Small, subtle nipple reductions are also possible if requested.

  • Second-opinion review

    A specialist review of a plan you have already been given. Sometimes a different pattern, or staging, gives a better long-term result.

  • Breast reduction (if you also want less volume)

    If the breast is heavy as well as ptotic, a reduction and lift are done together through the same scar pattern.

Assessment, safety and recovery

What to expect, honestly.

Realistic outcomes: 85–90% satisfaction across published series. Scar quality depends on skin type. Recurrent ptosis over decades is expected.

  • BMI, smoking and breastfeeding

    BMI ideally under 30, no smoking for six weeks before and after, and a frank discussion about future breastfeeding, which mastopexy can reduce.

  • Mammography if you are 40 or over

    A recent mammogram before surgery to rule out unsuspected breast pathology. Any concern is referred to a breast unit first.

  • Scarring is visible

    Scars fade over 12–18 months but never disappear. Skin type predicts hypertrophic or keloid risk, and is discussed before consent.

  • Altered sensation in 20–40%

    Numbness or hypersensitivity of the nipple or lower breast is common early on. Most settles by 12 months; a minority is permanent.

  • Nipple or skin necrosis, uncommon

    Around 1–2%, higher with very large lifts, smoking or previous surgery. Managed with dressings; rare revision needed.

  • Asymmetry and revision

    Perfect symmetry is not achievable. Revision rates of 8–15% at 5–10 years are realistic as breast tissue continues to age.

  • Recovery timeline

    Sports bra for six weeks. Desk work at one to two weeks. No heavy lifting or exercise for four to six weeks. Driving when you can perform an emergency stop.

  • DVT and deep infection

    Low but real. TED stockings, calf compression and early mobilisation reduce DVT. Deep infection is rare and treated with antibiotics.

  • Red flags after discharge

    One-sided swelling or pain, spreading redness, fever, calf pain or breathlessness. Call the unit or go to A&E the same day.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Mastopexy is classed as cosmetic by UK insurers and is almost never covered. The exception is a symmetrising mastopexy on the opposite side of a cancer reconstruction.

Frequently asked

Everything patients ask about a mastopexy.

Quick answers on implants, breastfeeding, scars, insurance, longevity and revision.

  • Do I need implants as well as a lift?

    Only if you also want more volume, especially in the upper pole. A mastopexy alone lifts and reshapes the tissue you already have, but does not add volume. If your breasts feel empty at the top when you sit or stand, adding a small silicone implant (an Aug-Pexy) gives the fuller look many patients ask for. If you are happy with your current size, a lift alone is the right operation.

  • Will I still be able to breastfeed after a mastopexy?

    Breastfeeding is usually still possible but may be reduced. The ducts under the areola are preserved in most modern techniques, but some ductal disruption and nerve change is unavoidable.

  • What will the scars look like?

    That depends on the pattern used. A periareolar lift leaves one thin scar around the areola. A vertical lollipop adds a straight scar down to the fold. A Wise pattern adds a horizontal scar in the inframammary fold. Scars are red and raised for the first three to six months, then soften and fade over 12–18 months. Silicone tape or gel from week three, and sun protection, both help.

  • Is a mastopexy covered by private medical insurance?

    Almost never. UK insurers class mastopexy as cosmetic, so cover is not provided even when the ptosis is severe. The exception is post-cancer reconstruction, where a contralateral symmetrising mastopexy may be funded on the same policy as the reconstruction.

  • How long does a breast lift last?

    A well-planned mastopexy holds its shape for 10–15 years for most patients. Skin quality, weight change, further pregnancies and gravity all shorten that. Adding an internal support mesh, or staging with an implant, can extend the durability of the shape.

  • What if my breasts drop again over time?

    Recurrent ptosis is expected as breast tissue continues to age. Revision rates of 8–15% at 5–10 years are realistic. A revision is usually smaller than the first operation and works through the same scar. Weight stability, a well-fitted supportive bra and avoiding smoking all help.

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