Breast Lift in Beverly Hills, CA

Having youthful, uplifted breasts with an attractive shape can improve a woman’s confidence and self-image. The following circumstances are often unavoidable and can result in a breast appearance that is less than desirable and detracts from a woman’s confidence.

Aging

As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin – structural proteins that keep the skin firm and tight. As these proteins deteriorate over time, the skin stretches more easily and loses its ability to return to its original form. This leads to thin, loose breast skin that cannot support the tissues and often results in sagging breasts.

Weight Loss

Weight gain causes the breast skin to stretch to accommodate for the increase in volume due to excess fat cells. After weight loss, the skin is often unable to shrink back completely because it has been stretched too much and/or for too long, resulting in breasts with loose, wrinkled skin and an unattractive shape.

Pregnancy

Similar to weight gain, pregnancy causes the breasts to swell and the skin to stretch to accommodate for the increase in size. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts generally return to their normal size but are left with loose skin that allows them to droop down.

Crescent Lift

Ideal For:
Slight sagging

Technique:
A crescent of tissue above the top of the nipple is removed

Benefit:
Least invasive; produces inconspicuous scarring

Benelli Lift

Ideal For:
Minimal sagging and slight nipple asymmetry

Technique:
A doughnut-shaped area of tissue around the nipple is removed

Benefit:
Produces inconspicuous scarring around the nipples

Technique:
A lollipop-shaped incision around the nipple and down to the breast crease is used to reduce excess tissue

Benefit:
Effectively lifts low-hanging breasts

Anchor Lift

Ideal For:
Severely sagging, pendulous breasts

Technique:
A lollipop-shaped incision that also extends along the breast crease is used to reduce excess tissue

Benefit:
Provides the most significant lift to the breasts

Most Beverly Hills patients are able to return to work within a week of any kind of plastic surgery, but with a breast lift, they should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow to ensure you have the safest and most effective recovery.

Scarring

The location of the incisions and resulting scars will depend on the degree of correction needed. With all incision techniques, the scars will be as inconspicuous as possible and continue to improve over time.

Pain

During the procedure, medications will be administered for your comfort. Minimal pain and discomfort generally exist after the procedure and can be controlled with prescribed medication.

Duration of Results

The resulting uplifted breast position and improved breast shape may be long lasting. However, the breasts will continue to age naturally and may be affected by weight fluctuations.

Who are the best candidates for a breast lift?

The best candidates for a breast lift are those who have drooping or sagging breasts. Ideal patients are also in good physical health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations about the procedure.

What complications can occur with a breast lift?

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications that can develop after a breast lift. Although rare, the more common complications include bleeding, infection, and numbness. Following your surgeon’s instructions will help reduce your risk for complications and ensure you have the safest recovery possible.

How much does a breast lift cost?

The cost of a breast lift will depend on several factors, including how much ptosis (drooping) is present and the surgical technique to be used.

Is a breast lift covered by health insurance?

Most health insurance companies do not cover the costs of a breast lift, as this procedure is usually for cosmetic purposes only and not medically necessary.

Will breast lift increase the size of my breasts?

No. Sometimes breasts appear smaller after breast lift because perkier breasts take up less room on the chest wall than flat, elongated or droopy breasts. When there is a lot of sagging skin, it can create the illusion of larger breasts. However, breast lift surgery changes breast size minimally (if at all).  

If you wish to increase the size of your breasts, consider adding breast implants to your lift.

Does breastfeeding cause sagging?

Breastfeeding itself does not lead to sagging breasts. It is the changes that occur during pregnancy and after weaning the baby that cause breasts to stretch out and sag.

During pregnancy, the breasts naturally enlarge as they start to produce milk in preparation for breastfeeding. Breast volume can increase by a cup size or more throughout pregnancy; as a result, the breast skin and ligaments supporting the breasts stretch.

Later, after you have weaned your baby, your breasts should return to their pre-pregnancy size. However, the skin and ligaments may not be elastic enough to contract over the smaller breasts (hence the sagging).

The sagging can become more pronounced with subsequent pregnancies.

What is ptosis?

Ptosis means sagging or drooping. There are varying degrees of breast ptosis, which are determined by evaluating the location of the nipple and the glandular breast tissue and fat in relation to the breast crease (the fold where the lower breast meets the torso).

Grade 1 ptosis refers to mild sagging, wherein the nipple sits at the level of the breast crease. Grade 2 ptosis describes moderate sagging wherein the nipple sits below the level of the breast crease. Grade 3 describes severe sagging wherein the nipple is well below the level of the breast crease.

Will my breasts be swollen after breast lift?

Yes. Swelling is completely normal after breast lift. The swelling can obscure your final aesthetic outcomes, so refrain from judging your results before the swelling subsides.

Usually swelling peaks a few days after surgery and then improves incrementally. Wearing your compression garment as instructed will help control your swelling.

Other aftereffects such as mild discomfort, localized numbness and bruising are also to be expected. Charles S. Lee, MD, will prescribe you medication for pain management; or, you may opt to take over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol.

Getting up and walking around as well as staying hydrated will also help make your breast lift recovery more manageable. If you notice bruising or swelling does not seem to be improving after surgery, please call our office to let our team know.

Can breast lift be performed in conjunction with other procedures?

Breast lift is a common component of many mommy makeovers. A mommy makeover describes a combination of procedures designed to restore the physique a woman enjoyed before having children. Other popular procedures often included in mommy makeover include the following:

• Tummy tuck: tightens the abdominal skin and muscle and removes unwanted fat
• Liposuction: targets and removes selected pockets of fat
• Breast augmentation with implants: improves the size and volume of the breasts