Breast Lift

Breast Lift

A breast lift can help improve the appearance of sagging breasts, especially after having children, massive weight loss, or previous breast surgery. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we can design a procedure that targets your aesthetic goals regarding your breasts.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure that raises the breasts for a more youthful appearance. Breast sagging can happen at almost any age, especially after pregnancy and significant weight loss. Many patients feel that sagging breasts make them appear older than they are. Having a breast lift can improve self-confidence in oneself. 

Often, a breast lift can be combined with either breast augmentation or breast reduction, depending on your goals. Breast augmentation changes the size and fullness of the breasts, and can be combined with a breast lift to help the breasts look perkier. Breast reduction decreases the size of the breasts for a smaller appearance and often reduces back pain.

Dr. Rankin can perform a breast lift in several different ways, depending on the extent of your breast laxity. For people with minor to moderate sagging, incisions can be hidden along the areola border, which is known as a circle lift. 

Many patients will require an incision around the areola that extends vertically down the center of the breasts, called a lollipop lift. For the most extensive cases, a lollipop lift will be paired with an incision hidden along the lower breast fold, otherwise called an anchor or Wise pattern incision. Dr. Rankin will work with you to find the best balance to minimize scarring and maximize aesthetics. 

During the procedure, Dr. Rankin will remove any excess skin, tissue, and fat that makes your breasts sag and tighten the appearance of the breasts. Dr. Rankin then repositions the areolas or nipples to create a more youthful breast. 

A breast lift is a safe procedure that will not affect your ability to breastfeed. To provide the safest environment, at NorCal Plastic Surgery, we recommend that breast lift surgery should be performed in a certified surgery center or hospital with the support of an anesthesiologist.

Breast lifts are performed on an outpatient basis. It is not uncommon for our patients to have surgery on Friday and return to work on Monday. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we use a long-acting local anesthetic during all breast surgeries. The long-acting, local anesthetic lasts for about three days following surgery to maximize comfort during recovery and minimize the use of narcotics that can make you feel nauseous, dizzy, or even constipated.

Generally, recovery can take eight to twelve weeks. We recommend continuing your daily activities for the first two weeks, such as short walks and household activities during your recovery. At two weeks, we recommend beginning some light cardio like an elliptical without arms. After four weeks, you can begin to reintroduce resistance training without chest exercises. 

After eight weeks, you can resume full chest exercises, but it’s important to know your limits. Slow and controlled motions will allow you to stop before you can injure yourself. We recommend not pushing yourself if it hurts to do so. An implant can be safely placed at the time of your breast lift as well. 

If you are preparing for an event such as a wedding, birthday, vacation, or reunion, we recommend you have surgery no less than eight to twelve weeks before your big day to ensure proper garment sizing and full activity.

Good candidates for mastopexy or breast lift are happy with their breast size when wearing a bra but desire a more lifted breast position. Ideal candidates for breast lift should also be physically healthy enough to undergo surgery and at a stable weight. If you have sagging breasts that you are unhappy with or have stretched skin on your breast, you may be a candidate for a breast lift. 

Breast cancer patients can also be candidates for a breast lift, also called oncoplastic reconstruction. Numerous studies have shown no difference in survival between lifted and non-lifted patients with breast cancer. Studies have also shown no delay in breast cancer treatment when comparing patients with or without breast surgery. We recommend getting a mammogram six months after any breast lift or breast reduction to establish a new “normal” for your radiologist whenever you start your doctor’s recommended screening mammograms.

How much a breast lift costs will depend on the anesthesia fees, hospital fees, your surgeon’s experience, and your location. However, the average cost before those fees is $5,012.

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Want to learn more about how a Breast Lift can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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