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A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is performed to help lift sagging breasts. A breast lift uses your existing breast volume but tightens the soft tissue envelope to create a lifted, perkier breast without a significant change in size. During a breast lift, the soft tissues are rearranged, and the nipple is repositioned above the breast crease and facing forward. Breast lifts may be combined with breast augmentation surgery to add or restore volume.
Which Breast Procedure Is Right For Me?
Dr. Marissa Baca explains the different types of breast procedures that patients at the Straith Clinic may be interested in.
Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Good candidates for breast lift surgery are patients who have sagging breasts, a lower nipple position, or both. Patients who are not looking for an increase in breast size can be treated with a breast lift alone. Patients looking to increase their breast size or fill out deflated volume may need a breast implant with a breast lift. As with any plastic surgery, you should be in overall good health and able to undergo surgery. Dr. Sabbagh or Dr. Baca will thoroughly review your medical history and perform an exam during your consultation. These components, together with your goals, will allow our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons to determine if you are a good candidate for a breast lift and create a personalized surgical plan.
What Causes Breasts to Sag?
Breast tissue and breast skin can change for a variety of reasons. Common causes of breast sagging include pregnancy, breast feeding, weight fluctuations and aging. A common theme among these causes is that breast volume has usually increased and then decreased in size, sometimes with several fluctuations. These fluctuations may leave the skin stretched out so that the breast sits lower on the chest and the nipple begins to point down.
What To Expect During The Consultation
During a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons, you’ll discuss your goals for treatment and what bothers you about your breasts. You’ll undergo an examination, during which Dr. Sabbagh or Dr. Baca will explain the options available and give a professional opinion. You’ll also discuss the risks and rewards of breast lift surgery so you can make an informed decision before moving forward with breast lift surgery.
expectation
What to Expect with Your Breast Lift Procedure
Anesthesia
IV sedation
Length of Surgery
Approximately 3 hours
In / Outpatient
Outpatient
The Breast Lift Procedure
Your surgeon will start by drawing markings on you in the preoperative area. These markings serve as reference points during surgery. An IV will be started in your arm and you will be brought into the operating room. Once you are asleep, the breast lift procedure will be performed. Incisions are made to rearrange the breast tissue. The nipple and areola stay attached but are moved into a higher location. The excess skin is removed to tighten the skin envelope, which creates a perkier breast. If an implant is being used, this will be inserted. Once the surgery is complete, you will be placed in a surgical bra and brought to the recovery room. You will spend some time in the recovery room waking up until you are ready to go home.
Breast Lift Incision Pattern
The typical breast lift incision pattern used is known as the “Anchor Incision.” The anchor incision goes around the areola, down to the crease, and in the crease beneath the breast. This incision pattern allows for the maximum amount of lifting, reshaping, and tightening of the skin envelope to give the breast a perky, round appearance. In some rare circumstances, the incision in the crease beneath the breast may not be needed, only the incision around the areola and down to the crease. This approach is known as the “Lollipop incision.”
Procedures Combined With Breast Lift Surgery
Patients who are considering a breast lift may have other areas of concern. Those concerns can often be addressed with other procedures performed at the same time. Common procedures performed at the same time as a breast lift include:
3-6 Weeks
Recovering From Breast Lift Surgery
Much of the soreness and initial recovery from a breast lift usually takes 1-2 weeks. Some patients do not require prescription pain medications. Driving is possible when patients are no longer on prescription pain medication and feel physically able to maneuver behind the wheel. Patients may feel ready to participate in some social events after one to two weeks. Most patients with a low physical activity job take 1-2 weeks off from work or use remote work options. Those with physically strenuous jobs may take 4 weeks off work. Most patients can resume exercise after 3-6 weeks.
The majority of the swelling will resolve in the first month, but small amounts of swelling often remain until 3-6 months after surgery.
Final Results of Breast Lift Surgery
After breast lift, the final shape and size of your breasts will become apparent over approximately 3-6 months as swelling subsides and your breasts settle into their new position. Scars can take 1-2 years or longer to maximally fade. You can expect your results to last for many years, especially if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
What are the Risks?
No surgical procedure is risk-free, and that includes cosmetic surgery like breast lift surgery. During your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, we will review the risks so you can make an educated decision.
- How long does it take for breast lift scars to heal?
- How long does a breast lift take?
- Will a breast lift reduce cup size?
- Do you lose sensation with breast lift?