The breasts naturally change with age. The structures that support breast tissue become stretched and weaker over time, and this sagging — known clinically as ptosis — can be intensified by pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetics, and weight fluctuations. For many women, the result is breasts that have lost their youthful position, shape, and firmness.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to restore a more youthful, lifted contour by removing excess skin, reshaping the breast tissue, and repositioning the nipple-areolar complex to a more natural, aesthetically pleasing position.
Importantly, a breast lift can be performed with or without implants — and the right choice depends entirely on the individual patient's anatomy, existing breast volume, and aesthetic goals. For patients who already have sufficient breast volume and simply wish to improve position and shape, a lift alone is often all that is needed. Implants are added only when enhanced volume is also desired.
Each surgical plan is crafted by Dr. J. Michael Conkright in close consultation with the patient — tailored to your unique anatomy, degree of ptosis, and goals.
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Every consultation is with Dr. Conkright himself. He examines you, listens to what you want, and walks you through your options. Plan on about an hour. You leave with a plan and a quote made for you.
Many women are excellent candidates for a breast lift without implants. Patients who already have adequate breast volume but are experiencing sagging, drooping, or loss of position do not necessarily need an implant to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results. A lift-alone procedure:
For patients with sufficient breast volume, a mastopexy alone is often a simpler solution — delivering a lifted, reshaped contour without the need for additional surgery or expense.
For patients who wish to both lift and enhance the size of their breasts, combining a mastopexy with implants offers a comprehensive solution in a single surgical plan. Implants are used exclusively to add volume — not to substitute for the lift itself. This combined approach is particularly well suited for patients who have experienced significant volume loss alongside ptosis, such as following pregnancy, breastfeeding, or major weight loss.
An important long-term advantage of the combined approach is that implants are less affected by gravity than natural breast tissue, meaning results tend to remain fuller and perkier for longer — potentially reducing the need for future procedures.
Whether performed with or without implants, a mastopexy at Conkright Aesthetics offers a range of meaningful benefits:
Good candidates for a mastopexy — with or without implants — generally:
Lift only — ideal candidates:
Lift with implants — ideal candidates:
A note on realistic expectations: Dr. Conkright will do everything possible to thoroughly assess your goals and provide a realistic, personalized surgical plan based on his four decades of experience and expertise. If your goals cannot be safely or effectively achieved, Dr. Conkright will explain why in clear, honest terms and help guide you toward the most appropriate path forward. Your long-term satisfaction and well-being are always the priority.
Your journey begins with a private consultation at Conkright Aesthetics in Evansville. During this meeting, Dr. J. Michael Conkright will provide a detailed explanation of your options and discuss your goals and expectations in depth. You can expect:
By the end of your consultation, Dr. Conkright will have crafted a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
When implants are part of your surgical plan, Dr. J. Michael Conkright works with a range of implant manufacturers as each patient's situation requires, with a strong preference for Motiva Ergonomix implants — available in Mini, Demi, and Full styles — and, in select cases, Allergan Natrelle "gummy" or Mentor implants.
Key features of Motiva Ergonomix implants include:
Implant placement is as important as implant selection. Over four decades, Dr. Conkright has developed and refined his own placement technique — performed under direct vision with meticulous dissection, without the need for additional instrumentation. This technique prioritizes natural tissue preservation, precise pocket creation, and careful implant positioning.
Whether performed alone or in combination with implants, mastopexy surgery at Conkright Aesthetics follows the same foundational principles: removal of excess skin, reshaping of breast tissue, and repositioning of the nipple-areolar complex to a more youthful location.
The three most common incision types are:
When implants are included, they are inserted and positioned during the same surgical session following the lift. The appropriate incision type is determined by your breast shape, size, and degree of ptosis, and is discussed thoroughly during your consultation.
From the moment you arrive, you will receive the full attention of Dr. Conkright, with attention to your comfort and your goals in everything we do.
Many, if not most, of our procedures can be done awake, under local anesthesia, in our office surgical suite, for selected candidates. Others are done under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center. The setting depends on patient selection and the procedure planned; there is no set way and no guarantee either way. It is determined with Dr. Conkright at your consultation. Procedure time varies based on the complexity of the plan and whether implants are included.
Awake surgery is more than a way to avoid general anesthesia — for many procedures, it gives Dr. Conkright more time to work artistically: sculpting, refining, and closely attending to your comfort throughout. It’s a relaxed setting, which is why it’s often the preferred approach for facial work. And because you remain awake, you can participate and interact during your own procedure — a technical advantage general anesthesia doesn’t allow.
Many patients choose to combine their breast lift with complementary procedures to address multiple aesthetic goals, consolidate recovery time, and maximize value.
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and repairs abdominal muscles for a more balanced, proportionate figure — a popular combination for patients following significant weight changes or pregnancy.
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits from specific areas — including the flanks, back, or underarms — creating a more sculpted, harmonious overall result alongside the breast lift.
A comprehensive combination of procedures — commonly breast lift with or without augmentation and abdominal contouring — designed to restore a patient's pre-pregnancy figure in a single surgical plan.
Fat harvested during liposuction can be transferred to the breast to further enhance contour and softness, or to other areas such as the face or buttocks, as part of a single comprehensive surgical plan.
Dr. Conkright's techniques are planned with your recovery in mind across all breast surgery procedures. Beginning with our minimally invasive anesthetic techniques, patients are encouraged to return to normal activities as Dr. Conkright advises. We work to keep you as comfortable as possible during recovery.
Our pre-op and post-op instructions are available on our website.
A breast lift starts at $8,000 and up for Dr. Conkright’s surgeon’s fee, and a breast lift with implants at $12,000 and up. Facility, anesthesia and implants are additional. Because each procedure is fully customized to your anatomy and goals, your exact quote is made for you at your consultation.
For current starting fees, see our pricing page. For payment options, including Cherry, PatientFi and CareCredit, see Fees & Financing.
Dr. J. Michael Conkright is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, with over four decades of surgical experience — the last twenty years devoted exclusively to cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. Breast surgery is a central part of his practice, combining precise surgical technique with an artistic eye for proportion, symmetry, and natural-looking results.
He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Society.
Surgical planning at Conkright Aesthetics includes a thorough evaluation of each patient's overall health, medical history, and readiness for surgery. Financing options are available to help make your procedure more accessible (restrictions apply).
Ready to restore a more youthful, lifted breast contour — with or without implants? Contact Conkright Aesthetics in Evansville today to schedule your private consultation with Dr. J. Michael Conkright. Together, you will develop a personalized treatment plan designed around your aesthetic goals and natural-looking results.
Read about payment & financing options at Conkright Aesthetics.
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Access important patient information from Dr. Conkright.
