Breast Lift Surgery (or Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure used to address the sagging of the breasts, or breast ptosis, which can occur early on due to genetics, or later due to weight gain and loss, pregnancy, or simply a result of aging tissues. This procedure restores a firm, lifted, youthful appearance to the breasts, raising the position of the nipples, removing excess skin, and enhancing breast shape. Natural breast lifts in Beverly Hills performed by a skillful surgeon can take years off of the appearance of the breasts, and in turn, your overall figure.
The degree of sagging determines what type of breast lift procedure is needed to restore perkiness. The smallest degree of lift can be achieved with a periareolar incision. A larger degree of lift can be had with a “lollipop” incision, and the fullest lift entails an “anchor” type incision. Which of these approaches you are a good candidate for will be determined during your consultation.
General anesthesia will be administered for Beverly Hills breast lift surgery, and we recommend that you arrange to have someone drive you to and from the surgery appointment.
There are three main incision types for a breast lift: circumareolar (around the border of the areola), lollipop (around the areola and a vertical incision from the areola to the fold), and full anchor (incision around the areola, vertical incision to fold, and incision along the breast fold).
The length of incisions needed really depends on the degree of lift needed. The circumareolar lift only provides at most about a two-centimeter lift. Attempts to use that incision to get a lift beyond that risks ending up with a widened scar and flattening of the breast mound, with an ineffective lift. If there is more than a two-centimeter lift needed, the next option is the lollipop incision, and beyond that is the full anchor (or Wise pattern) incision.
Please Note: These are general estimates that may or may not apply to you individually.
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During your consultation, Dr. Anita will take time to learn more about your motivations and goals, understand your concerns, and discuss the treatment in detail. She will go through your medical history and perform a physical exam in order to determine the best plan to reach your goals, and make sure you are a good candidate for surgery.
The day of surgery, Dr. Anita will meet with you in the preoperative area, review the planned procedure, and mark the surgical site. This is also a time for you to go over any additional questions you may have prior to surgery. Breast tissue (if any is removed) is typically sent for pathology evaluation.
After surgery, you will be provided with postoperative care instructions, and instructions for follow-up. Dr. Anita will see you for the first postoperative visit 1-2 days after surgery, and place you in a post-surgical bra, with an additional visit the week after for drain removal if appropriate. Additional postoperative visits are typically spaced at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.
A breast lift raises the nipple areola position, lifts the breast mound to a higher position, removes excess skin, and restores perkiness to the breasts. The degree to which these occur will vary based on the type of lift performed.
A breast lift typically repositions the breast tissue to a lifted position, raises the nipple, and tightens the skin envelope. A periareolar lift uses an incision just around the areola, thus the lifting effect is limited, and usually offers a maximum of ~2cm lift before risking widening of the incisions or distortion of the breast or areola. The lollipop or vertical lift involves an incision around the areola, plus a vertical incision from the areola to the inframammary fold. The full mastopexy involves these incisions, plus one along the inframammary fold itself as well.
Implants are not required as part of a breast lift. Implants are optional, and typically chosen when upper breast fullness is desired, or if the majority of the breast volume is excess skin with very little breast tissue. In such a case, removing the excess skin will result in a much smaller breast, so the implant is used to restore some volume.
While the removal of excess skin during a breast lift is permanent, how long the breast lift lasts depends on multiple factors such as the quality and elasticity of the skin envelope, the amount of breast tissue present, the weight of implants if present, how well the breasts are supported during healing, weight changes after surgery, pregnancy, and breast-feeding.
Breast lift surgery has a very high rate of satisfaction when the appropriate level lift is performed.
Breast lifts involve some soreness or pain during the early postoperative period, which is temporary.
All types of breast lift surgery require incisions, and hence scars. How visible the incisions are depends on a multitude of factors, and efforts are made to result in the least visible scar as possible. However, in essence any breast lift surgery involves trading an improved shape for some scars.
Breast lift surgery cost will vary to some degree based on the level of lift being performed, as well as any additional procedures done at the same time. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310-205-0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.
No, you do not have to get breast implants along with a breast lift. Breast implants can be added at the same procedure if desired, but they are not required for obtaining a beautiful shape and result. The main reasons some prefer to add implants during a lift is to augment the volume, or add more fullness to the slope up top where there is little volume naturally.
If you are 40 years old or greater, have a family history of breast cancer, or have a lump, you should obtain a baseline mammogram prior to Beverly Hills breast lift surgery. If you already get routine mammograms, it is recommended to wait six months after surgery to get your next mammogram in order to allow time for healing, and then resume your normal screening schedule.