Conserve & Restore Lift™
Denver, CO
Dr. Buford’s guiding philosophy begins with the understanding that every breast ages over time, and that this process unfolds in a manner that is often unpredictable. With the Conserve & Restore Lift™, his goal is to restore a far greater degree of long-term predictability to the outcome, along with an enhanced breast shape that is built to outlast the results typically achieved with a conventional breast lift.
This technique reflects more than two decades of performing breast lift surgery, studying soft tissue behavior, and refining an approach that addresses the long-term reality of breast aging rather than simply the appearance of the breast on the day of surgery.
The Conserve & Restore Lift represents the culmination of more than two decades of performing breast lift surgery — and, just as importantly, of closely studying where the traditional breast lift falls short over time. If there is one constant in soft tissue behavior, it is that it changes: tissue naturally stretches with time, and as it does, the results of a conventional breast lift gradually diminish. When a breast implant is part of the equation, the added weight accelerates this process further. The Conserve & Restore Lift was developed specifically to address this long-term reality, rather than simply the appearance of the breast on the day of surgery. In addition, we have seen tremendous benefits for our breast implant removal patients who often have very little native breast tissue and who benefit from the additional base tissue being tucked up underneath the nipple-areolar complex to effectively create an appearance similar to that of a breast implant without the implant.
A traditional breast lift relies primarily on the skin envelope itself to hold the breast in an elevated position —a structure that, by its nature, is prone to stretching over time. The Conserve & Restore Lift takes a fundamentally different approach by creating a soft tissue buttress at the base of the breast, which is sutured to itself to provide genuine internal structural support. In many cases, we further reinforce this with a bioresorbable scaffold, or Internal Bra, to extend and enhance the durability of the lift. A second distinguishing element of this technique is the thoughtful repurposing of tissue at the base of the breast that, in a conventional lift, would simply be discarded.
Rather than removing this tissue, we preserve its blood supply and reposition it beneath the breast to create what we refer to as an AutoGraft. This step becomes especially valuable in breast lift procedures performed without an implant, where the AutoGraft effectively replaces the volume an implant would have provided. Because this tissue retains its native blood supply, the entirety of the graft survives long-term—a meaningful distinction from fat grafting, where long-term volume retention is typically closer to fifty percent. Equally important, because the AutoGraft is the patient's own native tissue, it requires no future maintenance or replacement, unlike a breast implant.
Tissue at the base of the breast that would traditionally be discarded in order to create a smoother transition from the upper abdominal wall to the lower pole of the breast. Rather than removing this tissue, we conserve it on its blood supply and reposition it beneath the nipple-areolar complex, where it becomes a valuable source of natural, lasting volume.
At its core, this is a restorative procedure — one that returns the breast to a more elevated position on its original footprint along the chest wall. We also address areolar stretch, a common consequence of breastfeeding, pregnancy, and the natural aging process, by reshaping and reducing the areola to a more proportional and youthful diameter.
The Conserve & Restore Lift™ is built around a different priority than a conventional breast lift. Instead of relying mainly on skin tension, the technique focuses on conserving useful tissue, restoring internal support, and creating a lifted shape that accounts for how breast tissue changes over time.
Benefits may include:
This approach is designed to comprehensively address the full range of concerns patients associate with breast aging, including:
While the philosophy behind this technique offers meaningful benefit to virtually any patient considering a breast lift, there are several specific patient populations who tend to experience suboptimal, less durable outcomes with a conventional breast lift — and who stand to benefit most directly from this approach. These include patients with larger breast implants, patients with lower-quality or poorly supportive tissue, patients who have experienced significant weight loss, patients undergoing breast implant removal, as well as patients who simply desire a potentially more durable, long-lasting breast lift result.
The consultation begins with a detailed evaluation of breast shape, tissue quality, skin elasticity, nipple position, areolar stretch, implant history, and overall goals. Dr. Buford will determine whether the Conserve & Restore Lift™ is appropriate and explain how the technique compares with a conventional breast lift for the patient’s anatomy.
Preparation may include completing recommended breast imaging, adjusting certain medications, avoiding nicotine, arranging transportation, and planning for help during early recovery. Patients should also be at a stable weight and share any future pregnancy, breastfeeding, implant, or weight loss plans, since these factors can affect the surgical approach and long-term result.
The Conserve & Restore Lift addresses several of the most common concerns associated with breast aging through the following techniques:
Results from the Conserve & Restore Lift™ are meant to look natural, supported, and proportionate to the patient’s body. The breast is returned to a more elevated position on its original footprint, while preserved tissue helps restore volume and shape from within.
Patients can expect a lifted breast appearance, improved nipple and areola position, better lower breast support, and a more refined transition from the upper abdomen to the breast. No breast lift can stop aging, weight changes, pregnancy, or tissue stretching, but this technique is built to improve long-term predictability by reinforcing the structures that help hold the breast in place.
Recovery varies based on the extent of surgery, whether implants are used, and whether an Internal Bra scaffold is added. Patients can expect swelling, bruising, tightness, and soreness in the first stage of healing, along with activity restrictions to protect the internal support as the tissue settles.
A supportive surgical bra is typically worn during recovery, and Dr. Buford will provide instructions for incision care, sleeping position, medication use, exercise limits, and follow-up visits. As swelling improves, the breasts gradually settle into their lifted shape, with results continuing to refine as the tissues heal.
The Conserve & Restore Lift™ was developed for patients who want a breast lift approach that accounts for tissue quality, breast volume, aging, implant weight when applicable, and long-term support. A consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Buford can help determine whether this technique is the right fit for your anatomy, goals, and surgical plan. Schedule yours today and experience a better way to enhance.
The cost of a Conserve & Restore Lift™ depends on the complexity of your surgery, tissue quality, whether implants are involved, and whether an Internal Bra scaffold is used. During your consultation, Dr. Buford will evaluate your anatomy and provide a personalized estimate based on your treatment plan.
A traditional breast lift often focuses on skin elevation and repositioning. The Conserve & Restore Lift™ uses a preservation lift technique that conserves useful breast tissue, restores internal support, and helps protect the natural contours of the breast over time.
The philosophy is similar in the sense that both focus on preservation, restoration, and respecting underlying structures. Just as a preservation facelift or deep plane facelift works with deeper tissues instead of simply pulling skin, the Conserve & Restore Lift™ supports the breast by working with its underlying tissues.
It can be performed with or without implants. In some patients, the technique uses preserved native tissue to restore volume, which can help avoid the feeling of “replacing missing parts” with an implant. For patients who already have or want implants, added internal support may help protect the lift. And for patients undergoing breast implant removal, the use of breast base tissue to create an autograft often restores the look of an implant without an actual implant.
Yes, this is still breast lift surgery, so scars are part of the process. Dr. Buford places incisions based on the amount of skin elevation, tissue repositioning, and areolar reshaping needed, then guides patients through scar care as the breast settles into its lifted shape.
Risks are uncommon when performed by the right surgeon, though some side effects are inevitable with surgery. Side effects can include swelling, bruising, inflammation, scarring, infection, delayed healing, sensation changes, asymmetry, and anesthesia-related complications. Dr. Buford will review your personal risk factors during consultation and explain how the surgical plan is customized to protect tissue integrity and support healing.
With decades of experience, Dr. Buford has honed his skills to deliver exceptional results. Whether you're seeking to refine or rejuvenate your naturally beautiful appearance, Dr. Buford's personalized approach ensures that your needs are met with world-class skill and precision. Schedule a consultation today to put Dr. Buford’s expertise to work for you.
