Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that lifts pendulous or sagging breasts for a perkier appeal. It restores the shape of the breasts to improve their contour and reduce breast ptosis (sagging) due to a loss of elasticity after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or simply age, among other factors. A breast lift counteracts this phenomena by raising the breast and areola to achieve a more youthful shape and appearance.

Dr. Michael J. Yoo is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving patients in Irvine, Orange County, and Beverly Hills. He and his staff are passionate about what cosmetic surgery does for patients and their quality of life. Dr. Yoo performs all types of aesthetic surgery including facelifts, breast augmentation, and breast lift procedures.

If you seek mastopexy to restore your breast contour, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Newport Beach or Beverly Hills offices by calling (949) 861-3340 or (424) 209-9925 respectively.

Breast Lift Surgical Techniques

A breast lift removes excess or “stretched out” skin and reshapes the underlying tissue. This surgery also shifts the nipple-areola complex to a higher, more youthful location. Dr. Yoo can reduce the size of the areola to help add proportion to the breast and body. There are various techniques available depending on the amount of “lift” necessary.

Periareolar / Donut Mastopexy

During this technique, Dr. Yoo makes an oblong incision around the areola before lifting it to a slightly higher position on the breast mound. The resultant scar is circular (hence the term ‘donut’) and can be very acceptable to most patients. In another variation of this procedure, the incision only goes around half of the areola, which is known as a crescent lift. ⁽¹⁾

This procedure is most appropriate for individuals with little excess skin who need a very minimal lifting of the nipple-areola complex. There is little to no reshaping of breast tissue during the periareolar mastopexy.

Lollipop / Vertical Mastopexy

Along with the circular incision around the areola, this technique utilizes a vertical incision towards the breast fold, creating a ‘lollipop’ pattern. Dr. Yoo removes excess skin and reshapes the underlying tissue to control the overall breast shape. Vertical mastopexy results in a more significant lift.

Inverted ‘T’ / Anchor Mastopexy

This procedure adds a horizontal incision in the breast fold/crease perpendicular to the lollipop incision, creating an inverted ‘T’ or anchor pattern. It is useful in individuals who have a significant amount of excess skin between the nipple and breast fold, which Dr. Yoo removes to create a more pleasing shape.

Degrees of Ptosis

Dr. Yoo makes an informed decision as to which breast lift technique will offer the best results by determining the degree of sagging. He compares the placement of the areolas, nipples, and breast tissue in relation to the inframammary crease (fold underneath the breast).

Another type of ptosis is called pseudoptosis, which is when the areolas and nipples are above the inframammary crease but there is a significant amount of tissue that hangs below.

“Ozempic Breast”

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) helps those with excess fat lose weight quickly, leading to healthier lifestyles and better quality of life. Though these treatment plans work well to rid patients of stubborn, exercise-resistant fatty tissue, it can also lead to breast ptosis. A breast lift reshapes the tissue to create a pleasing contour and often helps correct sagging and loss of volume after significant weight loss. For patients with volume loss in the upper pole of the breast, Dr. Yoo can perform a breast augmentation within the same surgery to replenish it.

Benefits of Mastopexy

Women seeking this surgery typically complain about a sagging and deflated appearance or that the nipple areola complex has descended to the lower pole of the breasts. This appearance is primarily due to a discrepancy between excess skin and loss of breast tissue volume. It can result from any number or combination of factors including:

Mastopexy can restore symmetry to the breasts by restructuring them and improving their contour. This procedure removes excess skin, often leading to a reduced areola size and firmer breast shape. It is customizable and can be combined with other breast or cosmetic surgeries to further enhance results. Breast lifts are a safe and effective treatment for patients with any amount of breast ptosis to achieve their preferred chest contour.

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?

Women who dislike the stretched or sagging appearance of their breasts may be good candidates for a breast lift. In some cases, patients have downturned nipples, areolas that fall beneath their lower breast crease, or breasts that lay asymmetrically. Patients should be over the age of 18, in good health, at a stable weight, and non-smokers or be prepared to temporarily quit. Before choosing to undergo a breast lift operation, women should have realistic expectations and goals and understand what they can and cannot accomplish.

Breast lift surgery is not suitable for women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Yoo

At your initial consultation, Dr. Yoo will ask you to express your concerns and what you want to accomplish from a breast lift. He will then conduct an examination and ask about your medical history, including previous surgeries, current medications, and allergies. He will create a personalized treatment plan and go over everything to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Depending on your degree of ptosis, he will customize his surgical approach to meet your cosmetic desires. At the end of this meeting, a member of Dr. Yoo’s staff will assist you with scheduling your procedure. They will also provide all the information you may need to properly prepare for breast lift surgery.

Preparation

Leading up to breast lift surgery, patients should avoid NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medications) like ibuprofen to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding. For the same reason, they should refrain from taking certain herbal supplements like vitamin E and ginkgo. Patients should avoid alcohol consumption and tobacco and nicotine use to ensure a smooth recovery. They should also make arrangements to have somebody drive them home and watch over them after surgery. They should pick up all new prescriptions written by Dr. Yoo before their procedure date to ease recovery stress.

Breast Lift Procedure

Before a breast lift surgery, the surgical team places you under general anesthesia. Then, Dr. Yoo makes incisions to lift the breast based on the technique chosen. He then thoughtfully repositions tissue and removes excess skin. Finally, he sutures the breasts in layers once attaining the desired results. The entire procedure typically takes about two to three hours to complete.

We will then take you to a recovery room where you will wake up from the anesthesia in a calming environment surrounded by our highly trained staff.

Recovery

The most common side effects after receiving a breast lift include swelling, bruising, and slight pain, which you can control with prescription pain medication. These side effects dissipate within one to two weeks. To help minimize swelling, patients should sleep with their head elevated and avoid sleeping on their stomach. Your surgical bra should be worn initially at all times with the exception of in the shower. This helps with healing and swelling, and allows the breasts to settle into their final placement.

In some cases, small tubes will be necessary to drain excess fluids from the surgery site. Dr. Yoo will send you home with full instructions on when and how to remove bandages and tubes for optimal rehabilitation. You will also attend a follow-up appointment so Dr. Yoo can confirm everything is healing properly. Patients should plan on resting before returning to work in four to seven days. Please avoid strenuous activity for about four weeks. There will be minimal scarring that fades and is easily covered up with a shirt or bikini top.

Breast Lift Results

Your breasts may appear high or too firm directly after surgery. This subsides as they settle into their final contour. The results are immediately visible and get better as time passes and your body completely recovers. Your new breast contour is long-lasting.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Breast Augmentation or Reduction

Mastopexy repositions surrounding tissue and tightens the skin envelope, creating a more shapely and fuller appearance. However, it does not increase the actual size of the breast or the fullness in the upper pole.

Women who desire an increase in cup size and a fuller upper pole will need the addition of an implant to achieve their desired outcome. Dr. Yoo performs a breast augmentation before removing excess skin during breast lift surgery. ⁽²⁾ Similarly, individuals with larger breasts who desire a breast lift may require a reduction to achieve a more shapely and contoured breast.

Mommy Makeover

Another procedure we offer is the mommy makeover, which is a combination of treatments and surgeries to help mothers regain their pre-baby body. The procedures that are a part of the mommy makeover package typically include a breast augmentation or reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

To learn more about these and other cosmetic procedures, please read Dr. Yoo’s blog.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in Newport Beach

The cost of a breast lift will vary depending on the extent of the procedure. After the consultation, Dr. Yoo will develop a detailed treatment plan and provide an accurate price estimate.

If you are interested in having fuller, shapelier breasts, a breast lift may be the procedure for you. Please call our office at (949) 861-3340 or (424) 209-9925. You may also schedule a consultation online. Dr. Yoo will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you determine whether this procedure can meet your goals.

References

1. 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
2. Ono MT, Karner BM. Four-step Augmentation Mastopexy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2019;7(11):e2523. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002523