Breast Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, CA
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that restores the youthful shape and position of the breasts. Over time, factors such as aging, gravity, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations can cause the breasts to lose their firmness and sag. This can significantly impact a woman’s confidence and self-esteem. The results of this procedure make breasts look younger and healthier, allowing patients to redefine their breast silhouette.
Dr. Francisco Canales, Dr. Heather Furnas, and Dr. Culbertson are seasoned plastic surgeons in Northern California who perform breast lift procedures at Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa.
For more information, call (707) 537-2111 or visit our contact page.
Contents
- 1 Before and After Photos
- 2 About Breast Lifts
- 3 Benefits of Breast Lifts
- 4 Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
- 5 Personal Consultation
- 6 Preparation
- 7 Breast Lift Procedure
- 8 Recovery
- 9 Results
- 10 Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
- 11 Videos
- 12 How Much Do Breast Lifts Cost in Northern California?
- 13 FAQ
- 14 References
Before and After Photos
About Breast Lifts
Breast lifts are performed for women who have lost breast firmness, volume and shape. They address breast sagging due to weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. (1) They can also correct defects in appearance such as downward-facing nipples and asymmetrical breasts.
The surgical technique used for a breast lift include the following:
Crescent Incision
The crescent incision forms a half-circle around the top of the areola. The surgeon makes this incision to perform breast lifts that address mild sagging in the breasts. It can also be employed to address nipple and areola size and asymmetry alone.
Donut Incision
The donut incision circles the entire areola. It is a common method for breast lifts that minimizes scarring and procedure time. A surgeon makes this incision to perform breast lifts that address mild to moderate sagging.
Lollipop or Vertical Incision
The lollipop incision circles the entire areola and moves in a vertical line down the middle of the breast below the areola. It extends to the inframammary fold, which is the crease at the bottom of the breast. The surgeon makes this incision to perform breast lifts that address moderate sagging when the need for breast implants is not necessary.
Inverted-T or Anchor Incision
The inverted-T incision circles the entire areola, extends down from the areola to the inframammary fold, and travels the length of the inframammary fold. A surgeon makes this incision to perform breast lifts that address severe degrees of sagging. It produces the most scarring of any of the breast lift techniques, so it is reserved for patients who will not achieve satisfactory results otherwise.
In most breast lift procedures, the nipple-areola complex will be moved higher up on the breast to accommodate their new shape. If your areolas are excessively large or stretched, then our plastic surgeons can incorporate an areola reduction in your surgery.
Benefits of Breast Lifts
Breast lifts can change the shape and appearance of your breasts for the better. They have been demonstrated as a safe option for dealing with the effects that aging, weight loss and pregnancy can have on the breasts. (2) The particular improvements that a breast lift can make on your breasts include:
- Raising your breasts to a higher point on your chest
- Making your breasts symmetrical
- Reducing the size of your areola and make them point forward
- Removing excess skin that has become stretched
- Making your breasts appear more round
- Reinforcing your breast tissue to make them perkier
While breast lifts do address the effects that a loss of volume can have on your breasts, they cannot actually make your breasts bigger. The procedure only changes the nature and structure of your breasts, which can increase their appearance of volume. If you want breasts that are bigger than they were before they began to lose their youthful shape, you may need breast augmentation surgery as well.
Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
If you wish to address your breasts’ lack of firmness and their sagging appearance, breast lift surgery might be right for you. Breast lifts are best suited to people who are able to maintain a steady weight. If you lose weight after your treatment, you may experience the same loss of structure in your breasts. If you gain weight after your treatment, you may experience an increase in volume in your breasts that causes them to sag. It is important as well that you be in relatively good health, so that your incisions can heal properly and you can recover quickly.
You may not be sure if the condition of your breasts warrant a breast lift. Here are some aesthetic scenarios that a breast lift could fix:
- Your breasts are flat and elongated, and pendulous
- Your nipples fall below the crease at the bottom of your breasts
- Your nipples point downward
- The skin on your breast is stretched or your areolas are oversized
- One of your breasts hangs lower than the other
Personal Consultation
At your personal consultation we will provide you with everything you need to know about breast lift surgery. We will review your medical history and assess your current bill of health. We will examine your breasts and evaluate their condition. Together with the information we gather will talk with you about your goals and determine if breast lift surgery is right for you. From there, we will discuss the next steps in your cosmetic journey and what you should expect moving forward. Our doctors take great care to make sure that our patients are well-informed and treated with respect when it comes to their treatment. To schedule your personal consultation, call (707) 537-2111 or fill out this form.
Preparation
To prepare for your breast lift surgery, there are a few baseline recommendations that will make your treatment safer and more effective. You should avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications for a week prior to your procedure. You should also stop smoking, if you do. These precautions reduce your risk of bleeding and contribute to a speedy, healthy recovery.
We will give you personalized instructions on how to prepare as well. We may ask you to stop or start taking certain medications. We may also ask you to undergo certain tests, such as a mammogram, so that we can perform your surgery knowing everything we need to know.
Breast Lift Procedure
Our breast lift in Northern California usually takes two hours or less and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The duration of this treatment is dependent on the nature of breast size and sagging.
The surgeon first makes the incision and excises any excess skin along with unwanted fat and tissue. They tighten the breast tissue, and position the breasts higher so they appear healthier and younger. In most situations, they reduce the size of the areola in proportion with the new placement and shape of the breast. At this point, they could place an implant or conduct a fat transfer in the breast if this was part of the plan discussed with Dr. Canales, Dr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson ahead of surgery. When the breast lift is complete, the surgeon will close the incisions and our staff will monitor you as you begin your recovery. As soon as you are capable of leaving, you may go home.
Recovery
The treatment area will be wrapped after your surgery so that it is protected in the initial stages of your recovery. You may also need small tubes in the area so that excess fluids can be drained out. Your doctor will provide you with details about how long you need these items and whether or not you can remove them by yourself. We will provide you with specific instructions on how to take care of your breasts as you recover and what to look for in a healthy healing process.
In the days after your surgery, you may experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort. The skin around your breasts may feel a bit tight. These symptoms should go away after a few weeks. Most patients are able to return to work a week after their surgery, though you should wait about four weeks to resume vigorous activity like exercise or sex.
Results
The aesthetic results of your breast lift surgery will appear after a few weeks as your breasts take to their higher placement on your chest. Your breasts should feel and appear natural, and they will appear more youthful.
With good care following surgery, your results can last for several years. Your breasts will still age normally, which means you could start to see loose and sagging skin in time. Various factors, such as significant weight loss or gain, can change your results. It is best to stay at a steady weight following your breast lift. Pregnancy or breastfeeding following a breast lift may also alter your results, which is why we suggest patients wait until they are done having kids to get a breast lift.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Here at Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa, we offer treatments that correspond with and complement a breast lift procedure.
Breast Augmentation with Lift
Our Breast Augmentation Lift procedure combines the redefining effects of a breast lift with the volume enhancing benefits of breast implants. With this procedure we can fix the sagging, stretched skin on your breasts while simultaneously making your breasts bigger and more beautiful than ever before.
Breast Reduction
Our Breast Reduction procedure can address oversized and sagging breasts by reducing their volume and removing excess skin. Sometimes, sagging of the breasts can be caused by excess volume. In this case, removing excess breast tissue and fat can eliminate this problem. If your breasts are overly large, this procedure may be more advantageous than a breast lift.
For more information about procedures at Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa, visit our blog.
Videos
How Much Do Breast Lifts Cost in Northern California?
Each breast lift is individualized to address each patient’s anatomy, tissue tone, and personal goals. The cost varies according to the complexity of the operation. This price includes the surgeon’s fees, anesthesiologist’s fees, the cost of the surgical center, and all follow-up appointments. Not covered in that price are out-of-office charges, such as prescription medications.
Dr. Canales, Dr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson aim to make your surgical experience as stress-free as possible. During your consultation appointment, the patient coordinator will go over all of your payment options, including healthcare financing through CareCredit. You will be given prescriptions ahead of time, and you will have plenty of time to review an information packet and ask questions before the day of surgery. To find out how much breast lifts cost at Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa, call (707) 537-2111 or contact us online.
FAQ
Do I need a breast lift or breast implants?
Whether you should have a breast lift, implants, or both depends on your specific goals. Oftentimes, a breast lift will enhance the form and fullness of your breasts with no need for implants. Your surgeon will evaluate your physical condition and listen to your goals at your consultation, then make a decision about whether you would benefit from implants, a lift, or an augmentation plus a lift.
Will my nipples be moved in a breast lift?
Generally, the nipple-areola complex will be moved up in the breast lift. If your areolas are excessively large or stretched, then our plastic surgeons can incorporate an areola reduction in your surgery. This may be discussed during your appointment so we can choose the ideal incision pattern to use in your breast lift.
Can a breast lift fix asymmetry?
A breast lift may improve asymmetry in your breasts if they’re different in size, firmness, or level of sagging. Your surgeon will evaluate the appearance and condition of your breasts in your consultation and talk about how a lift will be able to help. During your breast lift surgery, we will adjust the tissue so your breasts are equal in position and size for symmetry.
References
- Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057
- Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM. Mastopexy and Mastopexy-Augmentation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;38(4):374-384. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx181