Teleos Plastic Surgery Radiance Spa Medical Group
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Max R. Lehfeldt, M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is a way to reduce signs of sagginess in the breasts by making the skin firmer and lifting the breasts to a higher position, giving them a more youthful projection on the chest. It is a very common procedure for many women and is one of the most popular treatments that our Pasadena plastic surgeon, Dr. Max Lehfeldt, performs. Many women are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts as they age. Over time, youthful breast volume is lost, the skin stretches out, and the nipples sag and droop. This is often exacerbated for women who have breastfed or who have experienced significant weight loss. Using VECTRA® XT 3D Simulation, Dr. Lehfeldt will be able to help you visualize pre-operatively the potential benefits that a breast lift may provide for you.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery?

A breast lift can address several concerns that affect the appearance of the breasts and give them a renewed look. This procedure offers a variety of benefits, including:

During the initial consultation with Max Lehfeldt, MD, our plastic surgeon can talk with you about breast lift surgery and help you determine whether this procedure is right for your needs and goals.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?

Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are typically individuals who are experiencing mild to severe degrees of sagginess in the breasts (medically referred to as “breast ptosis”) and would like to make the breasts appear firmer and more youthful. It is very common for the breasts to develop excess, inelastic skin that begins to pull them down over time. This can result from pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, the natural process of aging, and other factors. During the consultation, Dr. Lehfeldt will evaluate the degree of sagging present in the breasts and talk with you about your options. He may also utilize VECTRA® 3D imaging to show you the potential results of a breast lift and how outcomes may look should you decide to move forward with the procedure. If you are a good candidate for breast lift surgery, Dr. Lehfeldt can create a customized treatment plan designed to achieve your enhancement goals with results that look both beautiful and natural. In cases where patients would like to address volume loss in addition to breast ptosis, a breast lift with implants (augmentation-mastopexy) may be a solution worthy of exploration. Dr. Lehfeldt will be happy to discuss all options with you and answer any questions you may have.

What Are the Breast Lift Techniques?

Breast lift techniques strive to restore the breast shape to a more aesthetic and youthful appearance. There are three main ways to lift the nipple position and perform a breast lift:

Peri-Areolar Lift

Peri-Areolar Lift

Peri-Areolar Lift

Peri-Areolar Lift

Vertical lift

Vertical Lift

Vertical Lift

Vertical Lift

Anchor Lift

Anchor Lift

Anchor Lift

Anchor Lift

The type of lift required depends on how far the nipple position needs to be raised and the amount of excess breast skin. If the nipple has minimal droop, a circumareolar/periareolar lift can be effective. If the nipple droop is moderate, then a vertical lift (“lollipop lift”) may be the technique of choice. However, if the nipple is quite low (severe droop) and there is a lot of excess skin, an anchor or “inverted-T” lift may be required. Dr. Lehfeldt performs all types of breast lifts with equivalent success and his experience and expertise will help guide your choice. Breast lifting can yield a beautiful restoration of breast shape and size. Additionally, patients are often very pleased with the youthful repositioning of the nipple.

What Does the Breast Lift Procedure Involve?

Breast lift surgery is a routine outpatient procedure (you go home the same day as surgery) that typically requires about a week of recovery. The surgery involves removing breast skin to help raise the nipple position and reshape the sagging breasts. The trade-off for improved breast shape and size is fine scars. The location of the scars on the breasts depends on the type of breast lift technique utilized. With that in mind, the incisions on the breasts are designed to heal as inconspicuously as possible. Dr. Lehfeldt is an absolutely meticulous perfectionist and he always strives to minimize the scarring and conceal the signs of surgery as much as possible.

What Can I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?

Most individuals are able to resume many of their normal daily routines approximately one week following breast lift surgery. There will be some swelling and bruising in the breasts after the procedure; however, this should dissipate in the weeks that follow, and discomfort can be alleviated with medication. Dr. Lehfeldt will advise you to refrain from strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities which may put excessive strain on the breasts for several weeks after breast lift surgery. A temporary surgical bra may also be prescribed in order to aid the healing process.

Can I Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?

Breastfeeding after having a breast lift should still be possible for women who were already naturally able to breastfeed in the past. It is important to note that many women do not have the natural ability to breastfeed, and if they could not breastfeed before the breast lift procedure that will remain the case after surgery. For those who are able to breastfeed and may be planning to do so in the future, it is very important that you discuss this with Dr. Max Lehfeldt during the initial consultation. In these cases, the surgical technique utilized in the breast lift procedure will need to be planned in accordance with the goal of preserving, as much as possible, the function of the milk ducts, nerves, and blood vessels responsible for lactation.

Patients who are considering future breastfeeding after a breast lift should keep in mind that, while it is possible to perform the procedure in a way that preserves that ability, it is not necessarily a guarantee. This is why Dr. Lehfeldt often advises patients who are considering breast lift surgery to wait until they are certain they no longer plan to breastfeed in the future. Not only could the ability to breastfeed be compromised, but the aesthetic results of the breast lift could also be affected. For those reasons, it is more ideal to undergo breast lift surgery after one’s family is complete.

Is a Non-Surgical Breast Lift Possible?

There may be numerous articles and stories that circulate around the internet which assert that a certain type of exercise or other method is capable of providing the breasts with a “natural lift,” possibly by enhancing pectoral muscle strength. The fact is that there is no way to address the specific effects of breast ptosis without surgical intervention. Breasts that sag and droop are typically affected by loose, stretched skin and a loss of breast volume. Exercises will not be able to improve these concerns. A breast lift removes the excess skin, tightens the remaining skin, and lifts the breasts to a higher position, which can ultimately produce much firmer and smoother skin while giving the breasts a more youthful and “perky” projection. These goals simply cannot be accomplished with non-surgical methodologies.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

Breast lift surgery is customized based on individual needs and goals; therefore, the total cost of a breast lift is often quite different among patients. Factors such as the technique utilized, the degree of breast sagginess that is being addressed, whether breast implants or additional procedures are part of the treatment plan, anesthesia and facility fees, the surgeon’s fee, and other components will affect the total price. Once your treatment plan is developed during the initial consultation, we will be able to produce an overall cost estimate and answer your questions about payment options. Teleos Plastic Surgery accepts a wide range of convenient payment methods, including third-party plastic surgery financing through reputable healthcare finance agencies that offer qualified applicants the ability to pay for their breast lift procedure in installments.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery 

Does insurance cover breast lift surgery? 

Mastopexy (breast lift surgery) is considered by most medical insurance companies to be an elective surgical cosmetic procedure and is therefore typically not covered. Teleos Plastic Surgery offers several types of payment options for treatment, including financing plans for qualified applicants via renowned third-party healthcare financing agencies. We can talk with you about ways to pay for breast lift surgery that offer the most convenience for your needs. 

Is a breast lift painful? 

Following the breast lift procedure, most patients will experience some soreness, swelling, a sensation of tenderness, and possibly even numbness in the treatment areas. These side effects are common during the healing process and should fade over the course of recovery. Oral medication can help control discomfort, and strictly adhering to our plastic surgery team’s post-operative guidelines can help make the recovery period as quick as possible. 

Will I maintain nipple sensation after a breast lift? 

When it comes to nipple sensation after a breast lift, some individuals have different experiences than others. In some cases, women may have nipple sensation that fluctuates after the surgery, while others may lose sensation altogether right after surgery and then regain it to a certain extent over time. While there can be permanent loss of some degree of sensation, permanent loss of total nipple sensation following a breast lift is very rare. 

If you are interested in learning whether you are a candidate for breast lift surgery, please call 888.96.DR. MAX (888.963.7629) or email today.