Breast lift with or without an implant.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss and the passing years change the breasts. A lift raises and reshapes them and removes excess skin – with an implant, if you wish, when volume is lacking. The findings determine the incisions.

  • Five locations
  • Twelve surgeons
  • With or without an implant
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  • 2–3hours for the procedure, under general anaesthesia
  • 1–2nights in the clinic, depending on the clinic
  • 1–2weeks until you return to everyday life
  • 4–6weeks in a support bra and no sport
  • up to 12months until the scars have matured

Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.

The sagging breast

When the shape gives way.

The breast consists of glandular, fatty and connective tissue, held in place by the skin. From around the age of 25, the connective tissue gradually loses its firmness; pregnancy, breastfeeding and major fluctuations in weight can speed this up. The breast loses support and the nipple sinks lower.

The medical term for this sagging is ptosis. What matters is the position of the nipple relative to the fold beneath the breast: just below it with mild sagging, up to about three centimetres below it with moderate sagging, and even lower with pronounced sagging. This determines how much skin needs to be removed.

Exercise and supportive underwear do not bring the shape back. Whether a lift alone is enough depends on the volume: if there is enough, the breast is only lifted. If the breast is too large, a reduction may be an option. If volume is lacking, the lift can be combined with an implant or with your own fat.

The methods

Three ways to lift the breast.

Around the areola

The O incision is sufficient for mild sagging. The nipple is raised only slightly, and the scar lies at the edge of the areola, where the change in colour conceals it.

Vertically down

The I incision adds a vertical line down to the fold beneath the breast. This allows more skin to be removed and the breast to be shaped more precisely – the standard for many lifts.

Anchor in the fold

If there is a lot of excess skin, an incision in the fold beneath the breast is added: the T incision. This scar is usually hidden under a bra or bikini.

The path

Towards the lift, step by step.

Which technique is right is decided by the breast itself – by the skin, the tissue and the position of the nipple. Around twenty incision patterns have been described; the three most important are the O, I and T incisions.

  1. Preliminary consultation

    A specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery examines the breasts, discusses wishes and limits and shows where the incisions would run.

  2. Planning

    The new position of the nipple, the size of the areola and the incision pattern are determined – as well as whether an implant or your own fat should add volume.

  3. Preparation

    Preliminary examinations and the consultation about anaesthesia. Smoking can impair blood flow and therefore healing; a break before and after the procedure is worthwhile.

  4. Surgery

    Under general anaesthesia, usually two to three hours. The nipple is repositioned, the glandular tissue reshaped and excess skin removed.

  5. The first days

    One to two nights in the clinic. A feeling of tightness, swelling and bruising are normal, can be relieved well with medication and usually subside after a few days.

  6. Aftercare

    Four to six weeks in a support bra, and no sport or heavy lifting for the same period. Follow-up appointments accompany healing; sun and sunbeds are off limits for about eight weeks.

  7. Scar care

    Only once the wound has closed and your doctor gives the go-ahead: silicone, gentle massage and consistent sun protection. Scars mature for up to a year, sometimes longer.

Self-pay patients

What a breast lift costs.

Self-pay patients

An aesthetic procedure.

As a rule, a breast lift is about shape, not the treatment of an illness. German statutory health insurance therefore does not usually cover it; patients bear the costs themselves.

Personal quote

After the preliminary consultation.

The costs depend on the technique and the work involved: a small lift around the areola is less complex than a major one with a T incision, and an implant or the correction of an asymmetry adds to the cost. Anaesthesia and the stay in the clinic are also factored in.

You will receive a binding quote after the preliminary consultation. Several clinics offer financing in instalments.

Specialists

Your surgeons at a glance.

Operations are performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Under each name you will find the locations where they perform breast lifts.

  • Dr. med. Karina BaierSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryHamburg
  • Dr. med. Michael BrombaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Wertheim
  • Dr. med. Katharina Dette-OltmannSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryHamburg
  • Dr. med. Frank GrunerSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Waalre
  • Dr. med. Uwe HerrboldtSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
  • Dr. med. Stephan KlarnerSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryHamburg
  • Dr. med. J. Philipp NeisSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryHamburg
  • Dr. med. Martin ReifenrathSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
  • Dr. med. Cornelius SchubertSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryHamburg
  • Dr. med. Maria SimidjiiskaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
  • Prof. Dr. med. Mathias WittSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Wertheim
  • Dr. med. univ. Nura ZamaniSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund

Locations

Where treatment takes place.

Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know.

What scars remain after a breast lift?

That depends on the incision pattern: a ring around the areola, with the I incision also a vertical line down to the fold beneath the breast, and with the T incision a further scar in the fold. Scars are permanent but usually become flatter and paler over about a year. How fine they become varies from person to person.

Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?

Pregnancy is possible after a lift. The ability to breastfeed may be limited. With the common techniques, the nipple remains connected to the glandular tissue in order to preserve the ability to breastfeed and sensation as far as possible – but this cannot be guaranteed. If you are still planning to have children, it is best to discuss the timing in advance.

When is the right time after a pregnancy?

Once you have completely stopped breastfeeding, and with some time in between: at least six months is recommended so that the tissue can stabilise. A stable weight is just as important, because later fluctuations can change the shape again.

Do I also need an implant?

Only if volume is lacking or more fullness is desired. The lift itself hardly changes the size – it raises and shapes. An implant or your own fat adds volume. If, on the other hand, the breasts are very large, a reduction may make more sense.

What is an “internal bra”?

This is the name for techniques that additionally support the breast from the inside with your own tissue, so that the skin has to carry less. One variant is the breast lift with Biological Inner Bra, which requires neither an implant nor a mesh.

What are the risks?

As with any operation: post-operative bleeding, infection and wound-healing problems, and rarely tissue loss affecting the skin or nipple. Numbness of the nipple, conspicuous scars and lasting differences between the two sides are also possible. Not smoking and following the aftercare advice lowers the risk of healing problems.

How long does the result last?

With a stable weight, the lifted shape lasts a long time for many women. However, skin and tissue continue to age, and pregnancies or major fluctuations in weight can change the breasts again. With large, heavy breasts, a lift naturally lasts less long than with small ones.

Online booking

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Choose a location, pick your preferred date. You confirm with a code sent by text message or e-mail; the appointment is booked directly in the clinic's calendar.

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Reviews

What patients say about us.

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5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert

  • Sithembiso F.

    This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.

    Weight Doctors South Africa
  • Maria

    Wow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!

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  • Anonym

    Ich habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!

    Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
  • Anonym

    Ich bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.

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  • Andre W.

    Bisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.

    Weight Doctors Group · Original in German
  • David C.

    Ich fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.

    QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in German
  • Momo

    Hervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.

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    Dr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.

    Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
  • Lieselotte S.

    Über die ehrliche Einschätzung

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    Ich habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.

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  • Carmen K.

    Ich bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.

    CGCE Group · Original in German
  • Michaela L.

    Dr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!

    Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German

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