Crescent Breast Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

The hard truth is that there's no magic serum, exercise or shapewear that can completely restore your breasts to their youthfulness. But there are procedures to help you lift and firm sagging breasts affected by aging, gravity, breastfeeding and weight loss.

Enhancement surgeries like breast augmentation (breast implants) remain the most popular cosmetic surgeries for women.¹ But there are options for subtle refinements instead. A crescent breast lift is one way to boost your bustline without extensive surgery since it requires only a small crescent-shaped incision above the nipple area.²

What Is a Crescent Breast Lift?

As its name suggests, a crescent lift involves removing a crescent-shaped piece of skin at the upper edge of the areola.²

You may be a good candidate if you have realistic expectations and very specific aesthetic goals. A crescent breast lift may be suitable if you:

• Are in good physical health³
• Completed childbearing²
• Desire subtle enhancement rather than dramatic changes⁴
• Experience low to moderate sagging⁴
• Feel unhappy with shape or volume of your breasts³
• Have smaller breasts⁴
• Maintain a stable weight²
• Want minimal incisions and scarring⁴

Crescent vs. standard breast lifts

Different breast lift techniques address different degrees of sagging, making one approach ideal for subtle refinement while others create a more dramatic transformation.

• Full breast lifts (mastopexy) address moderate to severe sagging through more extensive incisions and tissue repositioning. Full mastopexy procedures usually involve the anchor lift or lollipop lift incisions (also called a vertical breast lift), which give surgeons more access to shape breast tissue and remove excess skin. These comprehensive approaches suit women with larger breasts and significant droop who may need major repositioning.⁵
• Crescent breast lifts focus on minor elevation needs, making it the go-to choice for mild sagging.² The technique works well when you love your breast shape but want to perfect nipple placement with a slight overall lift.⁴

Degrees of sagging

This term refers to the extent to which breast tissue has drooped or descended from its original position. It’s often categorized into different levels:

1. Mild sagging. The nipple position is above the under-breast crease, also known as the inframammary fold (IMF).⁵ Breast skin may begin to feel less firm.
2. Moderate sagging. The nipple position is slightly below the IMF.⁵ Breast skin texture may feel looser.
3. Severe sagging. The nipple is significantly below the IMF.⁵ Breast skin may be thin or crepey.

How Much Does a Crescent Breast Lift Cost?

The national average cost* of a crescent breast lift in the United States is $6,119, but it can range from $3,000 to $12,250 based on factors such as your surgeon’s experience, procedure complexity and facility fees.⁶

If this surgery is combined with breast reduction, breast implants or as part of a mommy makeover — which may include a tummy tuck — your costs will likely be higher than these averages.

Calculate the cost of a crescent breast lift near you*

Average cost for a crescent breast lift by state/district

Here are the average costs* for the crescent breast lift procedure in your state or district:⁶

Does Insurance Cover Crescent Breast Lifts?

Most health insurers classify crescent breast lifts as cosmetic procedures. Because they aren’t medically necessary, they will most likely be excluded from coverage.⁷

That said, some insurers may consider covering the surgery if you can prove that it causes physical or emotional distress. Work with your surgeon’s office to explore coverage possibilities and start documenting any physical symptoms, like shoulder pain or skin irritation, which might support partial coverage claims.⁷

How Crescent Breast Lift Surgery Works

Every breast enhancement procedure is unique and based on your surgical plan. Variables that your plastic surgeon will consider will likely include your anatomy, goals, the complexity of your case, general health and surgical preferences.

Preparation

Your surgeon will discuss your health history, examine your breast anatomy, take measurements and explain how the crescent technique can achieve your desired elevation.⁸

In addition to having a baseline mammogram, advanced imaging technology can help you visualize potential outcomes, ensuring your goals align with the surgical possibilities. Your doctor will also order preoperative blood tests and potentially a chest X-ray.⁹

Your body’s healing capacity dramatically improves when you follow a few essential steps.

• Your surgeon will give you a detailed list of substances to avoid, but common exclusions include some supplements, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications.⁹
• Your skin needs optimal blood flow to heal properly and ensure minimal scarring. Not only does nicotine compromise healing, but the act of smoking and vaping can make anesthesia more dangerous. Even if you only smoke occasionally, quitting completely is advised.¹⁰
• You’ll also want to stop drinking alcohol. Your liver needs to be in peak condition to process anesthesia and support rapid healing. Alcohol use before surgery increases complications during and after the procedure. For instance, it can interfere with anesthesia, increase bleeding, delay wound healing and elevate the chance of infection.¹⁰

Procedure

After checking in, a member of your surgical team will carefully mark the crescent-shaped areas for removal.⁴ This ensures symmetry and positioning.

The procedure typically takes one to two hours under local anesthesia with sedation. Your surgeon will start by injecting local anesthetic around the areola, ensuring complete numbness even if you’re awake.²

Once you’re anesthetized, your surgeon will create a single incision designed to blend seamlessly with your areola’s natural border. The approach achieves lift by elevating the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position without altering your breasts’ volume or shape.¹¹

Recovery

One thing that you’ll notice about recovering from a crescent breast procedure is that it unfolds more rapidly than other breast lift operations. Immediately after surgery, you may already notice many aesthetic improvements.⁴

While each person heals differently, here are some general milestones you might expect:

• During your first week. You will rest and wear a supportive surgical bra.¹² You’ll have swelling and tenderness that you can manage, as directed, with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers. Most women can return to work within a few days.¹¹ Activities like light walking will speed healing due to improved circulation.¹³
• By the end of the second week. You can resume light exercise, as your cosmetic surgeon advises.¹³
• Within a month or so. Your surgeon should lift any remaining exercise restrictions.¹³
• At around three months. All swelling and discomfort should have resolved.¹¹
• Six months to one year. This marks the end of recovery, and the results you see are now permanent.⁴

Simply Refining Your Silhouette

A crescent breast lift currently offers one of the least invasive surgical breast lift techniques available. If you are happy with your breast size and want a simple way to correct asymmetry, achieve a natural breast contour and restore a youthful appearance, you may want to discuss this option with your surgeon.

Financing a Crescent 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 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.