Breast Lift
REJUVENATE, RESTORE, AND RENEW YOUR BREASTS
Breast Lift
REJUVENATE, RESTORE, AND RENEW YOUR BREASTS
Our bodies change throughout our lives—pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain, weight loss, and the natural aging process can affect the size, shape, and projection of the breasts. If you are bothered by breasts that sag, droop, or look deflated, breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, can restore a perky look with more youthful-looking proportions.
At Cassileth Plastic Surgery, we consider the breast lift an under appreciated art form. Our Beverly Hills plastic surgeons use innovative deep plane techniques for precision control of the breast height, width, and shape. These advanced methods enable us to give our Los Angeles-area patients beautiful and long-lasting results with minimal scars.
Breast Lift Topics on this Page
What is Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a form of plastic surgery that aims to restore a youthful breast shape by lifting and reshaping the breast tissue. This procedure can be beneficial for individuals experiencing breast sagging or drooping (breast ptosis) due to factors like significant weight loss, aging, or post-pregnancy changes. During the surgery, excess skin is removed, and the breast tissue is adjusted to create a more elevated and aesthetically pleasing appearance, with the nipples and areolas repositioned to match the enhanced breast contour.
While a breast lift does not significantly alter breast size, it effectively improves the firmness and overall shape of the breasts. For patients looking to further enhance their appearance, a breast lift can be performed in combination with augmentation or reduction to adjust size and volume, achieving more comprehensive results.
Benefits Of Breast Lift Surgery
- Improve Your Breast Shape: A breast lift can eliminate drooping and sagging for breasts that sit higher, look firmer, and are more proportionate to your body.
- Improve the Appearance of Your Nipples: Breast lift surgery can correct nipples that have stretched out or point downward.
- Gain Comfort: Get relief from overly sagging breasts or loose skin that can feel heavy or cause skin irritation.
- Feel Confident: Your self-esteem will soar when you feel great in any type of top, bra, or swimsuit, knowing that you look your best.
Types Of Breast Lift Surgery
Our highly experienced breast surgeons offer a range of methods and techniques. We know that every woman has a unique vision of her ideal breast aesthetic and we will create a personalized treatment plan to deliver results you’ll love.
The Vertical Breast Lift
Many women want a higher, younger-looking version of the breasts they have now, which can be achieved with a vertical lift. A vertical lift repositions the breast tissue back up top, lifting the breast internally. The result is a fuller upper pole (the top half of the breast) with no excess skin and a rounder profile. Incisions for this procedure are usually called a “lollipop,” where the scar goes around your areola and then vertically between your nipple and the natural breast crease.
Breast Lift With Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
If you are seeking a subtle increase in breast size, fat grafting can add volume without breast implants. A fat transfer procedure uses your own fat, so you and your surgeon will choose a donor site, such as the abdomen. The fat will be harvested with liposuction and then purified and injected into the breasts during your breast lift. Learn more about fat transfer breast augmentation.
The Pocket Breast Lift
Dr. Cassileth created the pocket lift for patients seeking comprehensive breast rejuvenation without implants. This method is beneficial for breasts that are flat, have lost elasticity, or sit very low. The pocket lift takes breast tissue and places it under the pectoral fascia, a thin, but strong layer of tissue that covers the chest muscle. This allows for the breast to be imaged normally when you have an ultrasound or mammogram, but the breast tissue in the pocket will not sag.
The No-Scar And Circumareolar Lift
In cases in which nipple position is not a concern, it is sometimes possible to perform a breast lift using an incision that is just around the areola (a circumareolar or “donut” lift) or only within the inframammary crease (called a “no-scar” lift because any scarring is easily concealed. These techniques can be ideal for patients who have mild to moderate sagging with a good nipple position.
Breast Lift With Implants
After breastfeeding or weight fluctuations, many women notice a loss of breast volume in addition to a change in shape. If you are concerned with a loss of breast volume, or if you have always wanted to increase the size of your breasts, we can add silicone or saline breast implants to your breast lift. In a combined breast augmentation and breast lift procedure, our surgeons will typically use a vertical lift technique. Implants can be placed under the pectoral muscle or under the fascia, depending on your anatomy and desired results.
Breast Reduction With Lift
If you are frustrated by breasts that are heavy or too large for your frame, a breast reduction surgery may be the best solution. Our surgeons perform a breast lift in every breast reduction procedure, making this surgery ideal for patients who would like smaller, higher breasts.
Patient Results
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What To Expect From Your Breast Lift Procedure
Preparing For Breast Lift Surgery
We look forward to your consultation appointment, as that is our chance to get to know you and understand your goals and it is your chance to get answers to any questions you have. During your consultation, we will examine your breasts and discuss your options in order to create a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. If breast lift surgery is right for you, we will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions.
How Breast Lift Surgery Works
Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed with sedation at our surgery center. Before your general anesthesia is administered, we will review your treatment plan with you. Once you are sedated, your surgeon will begin by making incisions as outlined in your treatment plan. Your breast tissue will then be lifted and repositioned, eliminating any breast sagging and reshaping your breasts to your desired aesthetic.
Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery
After breast lift surgery, you may be provided with a special surgical bra to wear during your initial recovery. You may experience some swelling and mild discomfort in the first week, which can be managed with pain medication. Patients typically take one week of downtime, after which you can resume most day-to-day activities. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities are restricted for one month after surgery. We will schedule follow up appointments to monitor your recovery and ensure that you love your new breasts.
Breast Lift Results
After breast lift surgery, you may be provided with a special surgical bra to wear during your initial recovery. You may experience some swelling and mild discomfort in the first week, which can be managed with pain medication. Patients typically take one week of downtime, after which you can resume most day-to-day activities. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities are restricted for one month after surgery. We will schedule follow up appointments to monitor your recovery and ensure that you love your new breasts.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Procedure - Dr. Lisa Cassileth
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery
If you are bothered by breasts that droop or have lost shape, breast lift surgery could be right for you. Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are in good general health, non-smoking and at a stable weight.1
The ability to breastfeed is dependent on many factors, but breast lift surgery does not typically interfere with breastfeeding ability.2 However, we advise breast lift patients to have surgery once they feel they are finished with pregnancy and nursing since breastfeeding after breast lift surgery may affect your results.
Any surgical procedure carries some risk of complications or side effects, but our surgeons are highly experienced and dedicated to patient safety. Possible risks of breast lift surgery include changes in sensation, bleeding, or infection.3
Yes, many patients choose to include breast lift surgery as part of a customized mommy makeover plan that also includes tummy tuck surgery and other body contouring or cosmetic surgery or non-surgical enhancement procedures.
The cost of a breast lift at our Beverly Hills plastic surgery center is unique to each patient. During your consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will receive a detailed breakdown of the cost of your customized breast lift treatment plan.
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Contact Us
For more information about breast lift surgery or to schedule a consultation, please contact our Beverly Hills office, conveniently serving patients throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast Lift. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-lift/candidates Accessed May 5, 2021
2 Cleveland Clinic. Breastfeeding after breast or nipple surgery. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15585-breastfeeding-after-breast-or-nipple-surgery. Accessed May 5, 2021
3 Mayo Clinic. Breast lift surgery. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-lift/about/pac-20393218 Accessed May 5, 2021