Anchor Breast Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

If you’ve been considering ways to restore a more lifted, youthful look to your breasts, a breast lift might be an option. An anchor breast lift — also known as a full mastopexy — is commonly used to correct significant sagging.¹ This technique may also be performed along with breast implants to restore natural positioning after a breast reduction. Understanding the costs, procedure details and recovery process can help you decide whether this surgery aligns with your goals.

What Is an Anchor Breast Lift?

Also called the inverted T lift or Wise pattern lift, the anchor breast lift is a type of breast lift surgery for severe cases of breast sagging. The anchor procedure removes excess skin and reshapes sagging breast tissue through three strategically placed incisions that resemble a boat anchor, hence the name.¹

Anchor incision vs. other breast lift techniques

The anchor approach involves incisions around your areola, vertically down to your breast crease and along the fold beneath your breast, allowing your surgeon to remove excess skin and significantly reposition your breast tissue.¹

While the anchor lift offers the most comprehensive lift and reshaping for women with moderate to severe breast sagging, there are other breast lift techniques your surgeon may consider. Each surgical approach varies in the amount of lift and reshaping attainable as well as the location and extent of scarring.¹

• Crescent lift. This technique uses a small, crescent-shaped incision along the upper edge of your areola, making it the least invasive approach available. It works best if you have only slight sagging and want a subtle lift.² The result is less dramatic but leaves behind very little scarring.¹
• Donut lift. Also called the periareolar lift, this technique involves a circular incision around the entire areola and is ideal for mild sagging.² While it offers more lift than the crescent technique, it provides less correction than the anchor approach and may not be sufficient for women with significant ptosis (breast sagging). Scarring is limited, as it will blend into the outer portion of the areola over time.¹
• Lollipop lift. This vertical lift combines a circular incision around your areola with a vertical incision down to your breast crease.¹ It’s most suitable for moderate sagging. This method provides more lift than the donut technique while creating less scarring than the anchor approach.² In essence, it’s a middle-ground option between minimal and extensive correction.

Who may be a suitable candidate?

An anchor breast lift can help you reclaim a youthful silhouette, but it doesn’t solve every problem. For example, if you aren’t happy with your breast size, you may need more than just a breast lift.²

In general, you might be a suitable candidate for an anchor breast lift if you have:²

• Asymmetrical or unusually shaped breasts
• Nipple/areola position that falls below your inframammary fold (under-breast crease)
• Nipples that point downward
• Satisfaction with your current breast size

How Much Is an Anchor Breast Lift?

The national average cost* of an anchor breast lift is $7,916, but it may range from $6,100 to $15,098.³ The price of your specific surgery may vary based on several factors, including post-surgical medications and dressings, where you live and the complexity of your case, including whether you are also having other breast surgeries or if it is part of a mommy makeover.

Costs can also differ between accredited private surgery centers and hospital-based facilities. Consider additional expenses, like general anesthesia and postoperative care, when calculating your total investment.³

Calculate the cost of an anchor breast lift procedure near you*

Average cost of an anchor breast lift by state/district

Here is a breakdown of the national average cost* for an anchor breast lift in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.³

Does Insurance Cover Anchor Breast Lifts?

Most health insurance companies classify breast lifts as cosmetic procedures and do not provide coverage. However, many plastic surgeons offer patient financing options.⁴ Patients may want to explore flexible payment options to make the procedure more manageable.

How Does an Anchor Lift Work?

Your breast lift journey doesn’t begin and end with surgery — it starts with a consultation and extends through the recovery period. It helps to understand the process before, during and after to help avoid surprises and achieve optimal results.⁵

Consultation

It’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has completed advanced training in breast surgery and meets strict safety standards.² During your consultation, you’ll discuss your goals, health history and lifestyle to create the best treatment plan for your specific needs.⁵

Your surgeon will discuss with you the results you’re hoping to achieve and whether you want size changes along with the lift. You’ll discuss what bothers you most about your current appearance and how the procedure can address these concerns. This conversation helps set realistic expectations.²

Your health history plays a crucial role in planning safe surgery. You’ll review medical conditions, allergies and current medications or supplements that might affect healing. Previous surgeries, family history of breast cancer and recent mammogram results all factor into your surgical plan.⁵

Lifestyle factors also influence your results and recovery. Your surgeon needs to know about alcohol and tobacco use.⁵ Such factors may impact how well you heal and maintain your results long-term.

During the physical examination, your surgeon checks your overall health and carefully examines your breasts. They’ll measure breast dimensions, assess skin quality and take photos for your medical record. After this thorough evaluation, they’ll explain your options, discuss potential complications and expected results and review anesthesia choices.⁵

Preparation

As you prepare for the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will give you a list of important steps to follow. These steps help ensure your safety and avoid complications. Some common pre-op checklist items include:⁶

• Arrange for someone you trust to drive you home and stay with you overnight after your surgery.
• Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory meds and supplements as directed.
• Obtain lab tests and other medical evaluations, such as a baseline mammogram.
• Quit smoking, as it can interfere with healing.

Surgery

An anchor lift comprises three cuts: a circular incision around your areola (the pigmented skin surrounding each nipple), a vertical incision extending from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease and a horizontal incision along the breast crease itself.² During the surgery, your surgeon will lift and reshape the underlying breast tissue to create a more youthful contour. They’ll then reposition your nipple and areola to a natural, higher location that complements your new breast shape. Your surgeon then closes the incisions using sutures, adhesives or surgical tape.⁷ The entire procedure is performed under anesthesia and usually lasts one to two hours.²

Anchor Breast Lift Recovery

While everyone’s experience is different, and timelines may vary by individual and surgical technique, here is a general recovery guideline:⁸

Potential complications

While complications are uncommon when your procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, it’s important to recognize when something may require prompt medical attention. Complications after breast surgery may include:⁹

• Bleeding or hematoma. Excessive bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) can cause swelling, bruising or firmness and may require drainage.
• Changes in breast sensation. It’s normal for sensation to vary after surgery, but persistent numbness or hypersensitivity may occur in some cases.
• Delayed healing. Some incision sites may take longer to heal, especially in patients who smoke or have certain medical conditions.
• Infection. Infection can develop several days to weeks after surgery and may cause redness, warmth, drainage or fever.
• Pulmonary complications. Though rare, issues such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or other breathing problems may occur and require immediate medical evaluation.
• Seroma. Fluid buildup (seroma) may develop under the skin, causing swelling or discomfort and sometimes requiring drainage.

If you experience severe pain not relieved by prescribed medication, a sudden increase in swelling on one side, difficulty breathing or signs of infection, contact your surgeon right away.

Comprehensive Breast Lift Surgery

An anchor breast lift offers the most comprehensive solution for women with significant breast sagging who are looking for a more youthful look and shape to their breasts. It provides the highest degree of lift available, and while the anchor technique constitutes major surgery, it can deliver dramatic, long-lasting results that less invasive methods may not achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anchor Breast Lifts

Want to know more? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about anchor breast lift surgery.

Financing Anchor Breast Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for anchor breast lifts and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.