Breast Procedures
Breast Lift NJ & NYC | Mastopexy
Locations
New York • Morristown • Newark
Procedure focus
Repositioning, excess skin removal, youthful contour
Customizable approach
Lift alone or combined with augmentation
About Breast Lifts
Perkier, more youthful-looking breasts with improved shape and position
A breast lift, known clinically as a mastopexy, repositions the breasts, removes excess skin, and restores a firmer, more youthful contour. It does not add volume, but it can dramatically improve the shape, symmetry, and position of breasts that have changed due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or the natural effects of aging.
Dr. Joseph Racanelli is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 40,000 procedures performed across his career in New Jersey and New York. He personally performs every breast lift himself, no residents, no physician assistants, no other surgeons. Every procedure is performed in a fully accredited hospital operating room with a board-certified anesthesiologist.
If you are also considering adding volume, Dr. Racanelli will discuss whether a combined procedure or a staged approach is the right plan for your anatomy and goals.
What Sets This Practice Apart
Not all breast lifts are performed the same way. Here is what patients at this practice can expect:
Board-certified anesthesiologist, every time.
Every procedure is performed under general anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, not a nurse anesthetist or CRNA. This is standard at this practice for all surgical cases, without exception.
Hospital operating room, not a surgical center.
Dr. Racanelli operates exclusively in a fully accredited hospital OR. Patients benefit from the safety infrastructure, staff, and emergency resources available only in a hospital setting.
Dr. Racanelli performs every surgery personally.
No other surgeons, physician assistants, or residents participate in the operation. Dr. Racanelli is the only person who operates on his patients, from incision to closure.
Proprietary multi-layer hand closure.
The entire breast lift incision is closed by hand, in multiple layers, minimizing tension from deep tissue up to the skin surface. This technique, the same used for all surgical procedures at this practice, is designed to produce thinner, less visible scars that continue to improve over time.
One surgery per day.
Dr. Racanelli schedules one major surgical case per day. Your procedure receives his full, undivided attention, not a fraction of a busy surgical schedule.
All postoperative care with Dr. Racanelli directly.
Follow-up visits are exclusively with Dr. Racanelli, not a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Continuity of care matters, especially in the weeks following surgery when healing decisions require surgical judgment.
Breast Lift Benefits
Natural-looking improvement with a more balanced shape
1
Balanced proportions
Lifting the breasts can better suit overall body proportions for a flattering appearance.
2
Natural results
Dr. Racanelli's approach consistently produces natural breast contour and proportionate nipple placement, outcomes visible throughout his before and after gallery. Because he personally closes every incision in multiple layers, scars are designed to fade into the natural creases of the breast over time.
3
Improved self-esteem
Patients frequently describe the breast lift as one of the most confidence-restoring procedures they have had, not because it changes their body dramatically, but because it restores the shape and position they remember. Feeling comfortable in a bra, swimsuit, or fitted clothing again matters.
4
Better clothing options
A breast lift can improve how bras fit and help patients feel more comfortable in swimwear, undergarments, and other clothing.
5
Long-lasting results
Results are durable when patients maintain a stable weight and follow postoperative care instructions. Natural aging will continue over time, but many patients enjoy their results for a decade or more. Dr. Racanelli will discuss realistic expectations at your consultation based on your specific anatomy.
6
Customizable procedure
The procedure is tailored to each patient's degree of ptosis (drooping), skin quality, and aesthetic goals. It may be performed alone or discussed in combination with breast augmentation, Dr. Racanelli will help you determine the right approach.
Candidates
Who may be a good candidate for a breast lift?
You may be a good candidate for a breast lift if you:
A breast lift reshapes and repositions, it does not increase volume. If you are also considering more fullness, implants can be discussed as part of your plan. Dr. Racanelli will give you a direct assessment at consultation.
Natural
Balanced results
Direct
Surgeon involvement
Hospital
Accredited OR setting
Breast Lift vs. Breast Lift with Augmentation
Breast Lift Alone vs. Breast Lift with Augmentation
Many patients considering a breast lift also want more volume. The question of whether to combine the two procedures, or stage them separately, is one of the most important decisions in breast surgery planning.
Dr. Racanelli's philosophy: in most cases, the safest and most predictable approach is to stage a lift and augmentation as two separate procedures. Here is why:
A breast lift reshapes the breast envelope, it removes skin, repositions the nipple, and tightens the tissue. Adding an implant at the same time places competing forces on the healing tissue: the lift is pulling the skin inward while the implant is pushing outward. This tension can affect scar quality and, in some cases, the final result.
By staging the procedures, each surgery can be optimized independently. The lift heals fully first. Then, if volume is still desired, augmentation is performed on tissue that has already settled, allowing for a more accurate implant selection and more reliable outcome.
There are cases where a combined procedure is appropriate, and Dr. Racanelli will discuss what makes sense for your specific anatomy and goals at your consultation. But patients considering both should know that staging is often the more conservative and precise path, not just a way to schedule two appointments.
Personal Consultation
Planning the right treatment approach
At your consultation, Dr. Racanelli will assess your breast anatomy, degree of ptosis, skin quality, and overall proportions. Come prepared to discuss:
- Your medical history and any prior breast procedures
- Your lifestyle, activity level, and aesthetic goals
- Reference photographs of results you find appealing
- Whether volume increase is also something you want to explore
You will leave the consultation with a clear surgical plan, an exact procedure quote, and honest guidance about what is and is not achievable based on your anatomy. There are no estimates or vague ranges, Dr. Racanelli gives direct answers.
Preparation & Procedure
From planning to surgical technique
Preparation
Discontinue medications and supplements that thin your blood
Avoid smoking for several weeks before surgery
Arrange transportation home after the procedure
Schedule time off work
Pick up any prescribed recovery medications before the procedure
Incision patterns
Donut: around the edge of the areola to remove more excess skin
Lollipop: around the nipple and vertically from the areola to the inframammary crease
Anchor: horizontal along the inframammary crease plus vertical from the areola to the crease
The incision choice depends on the severity of the situation and the amount of excess skin to be addressed.
Recovery & Results
Supportive healing and long-lasting improvement
Recovery
Recovery from a breast lift varies depending on the incision pattern used and each patient's individual healing. General guidelines:
All postoperative follow-up appointments are with Dr. Racanelli personally, not with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. This continuity allows him to monitor your healing closely and make any adjustments to your recovery plan as needed.
Results
After a breast lift, patients can expect firmer, more elevated breasts with improved symmetry and a more proportionate nipple position. The full result becomes visible as swelling resolves over several weeks to a few months.
One outcome patients and referring physicians consistently observe is natural breast contour and well-positioned nipple placement. Dr. Racanelli attributes this to personal surgical involvement at every step, including the closure, and the fact that he performs only one major surgery per day.
Results are long-lasting with weight stability and proper care. Before and after photos of actual patients are available in our gallery.
Additional Breast Enhancement Procedures
Related options discussed on the live page
Breast Augmentation
Although a breast lift can remove excess skin, it will not increase breast size. If more volume is desired, breast augmentation can be performed with saline, silicone, or gummy bear implants to create a curvier figure.
Breast Reduction
If a patient has large breasts and wishes to decrease their size, breast reduction can remove excess tissue to balance proportions and create a smoother, more even look.
Cost
Cost of Breast Lift in New Jersey
The cost of a breast lift is determined at consultation based on surgical complexity, operative time, and the specific incision pattern your anatomy requires. Because all procedures at this practice are performed in a fully accredited hospital operating room with a board-certified anesthesiologist, pricing reflects that standard of care.
You will receive an exact quote at your consultation, not a range. There are no hidden fees and no surprises on the day of surgery.
Financing is available through Cherry for qualified patients. Learn more on our financing page or ask our team at your consultation.
Call (888) 409-0801 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Morristown, Newark, or New York City locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Breast Procedure Questions
How long do the results of breast lifts last?
Results are durable and many patients enjoy them for a decade or more, particularly with stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Natural aging does continue to affect breast tissue over time, but the repositioning and reshaping achieved with a lift are not reversed by aging alone. Dr. Racanelli will give you a realistic picture of longevity based on your specific anatomy at your consultation.
Can I have a breast lift before pregnancy?
This is generally not recommended if you plan to have more children. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect breast tissue and skin in ways that may alter your results. Many patients choose to undergo a breast lift after completing their family, often as part of a mommy makeover, to restore their pre-pregnancy figure.
Can a breast lift and breast augmentation be done at the same time?
In some cases, yes, but Dr. Racanelli's preference in most situations is to stage the two procedures separately. A lift tightens the breast envelope while an implant pushes outward, and these competing forces can affect scar quality and final results when done simultaneously. Staging allows each procedure to heal optimally on its own. Dr. Racanelli will assess your anatomy at consultation and give you a direct recommendation.
Will I have visible scars after a breast lift?
All breast lift incisions leave scars. The extent of scarring depends on the incision pattern required for your anatomy. What distinguishes results at this practice is the closure technique: every incision is closed by hand in multiple layers, minimizing tension at the skin surface. This approach is designed to produce the finest possible scar, one that continues to fade and soften over 12–18 months. Results can be seen in our before and after gallery.
Where is a breast lift performed?
All procedures at this practice are performed in a fully accredited hospital operating room, not a surgical center or outpatient facility. General anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Dr. Racanelli personally performs the entire procedure from start to finish.
Who will I see at my follow-up appointments?
All postoperative visits are with Dr. Racanelli personally. This practice does not use nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or other staff for surgical follow-up. Continuity of care from surgery through recovery is a standard of this practice, not a premium add-on.
How do I know if I need a lift, an augmentation, or both?
The distinction comes down to what has changed. If the issue is position, drooping, downward-pointing nipples, loss of firmness, a lift addresses that. If the issue is primarily volume loss, augmentation may be the right conversation. If both are present, a combined or staged plan can be discussed. The best way to get a clear answer is a consultation with Dr. Racanelli, who will assess your anatomy directly and give you a specific recommendation.
Personal Consultation
There are many factors that go into planning a breast lift, degree of ptosis, skin quality, whether volume is also a goal, and what results are realistic for your anatomy. The best way to get answers is a private consultation with Dr. Racanelli.
At your appointment, Dr. Racanelli will:
- Assess your anatomy and the degree of breast ptosis
- Explain which incision pattern is appropriate for your situation
- Discuss whether augmentation is worth adding to the plan
- Walk you through before and after photos of similar cases
- Provide an exact cost quote
- Give you a clear, honest picture of what to expect from recovery and results
Get Your Consultation Today
Dr. Joseph Racanelli has been recognized as a top plastic surgeon in New Jersey for many years and was featured in Vanity Fair. He brings that experience directly to every patient, personally, not through a team.
Schedule a private consultation by calling (888) 409-0801 or filling out our contact form. Offices in Morristown, Newark, and New York City.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Racanelli
Discuss your goals and personalized treatment plan with a surgeon who is directly involved every step of the way.