Breast Lift

A breast lift restores a perkier position to the breasts. PSS board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons specialize in breast lifts, often combined with augmentation, and have many years of experience in creating natural, beautiful results.

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, or mastopexy, lifts and reshapes sagging breasts for a perkier, more youthful appearance. It’s common for breasts to sag or droop as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, or heredity. Breast lift surgery does not enhance the size of the breasts, but rather it lifts and reshapes them. A breast lift is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation or a Mommy Makeover to further enhance results.

Dr. Poulos and Dr. Hvistendahl offer the latest surgical techniques to restore their patients’ breasts and their confidence.

Discover why patients visit our center of excellence for breast lift surgery from San Francisco, Napa, Santa Rosa, and beyond. We invite you to request a consultation online or call us at (415) 925-2880 to schedule an appointment.

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Good Candidates

At our Marin County practice in Greenbrae, a breast lift procedure is appropriate for any woman in good health, and concerned about sagging breasts, clinically known as ptosis. Sagging can occur in one or both breasts and is typically due to aging, genetics, pregnancy, or significant weight loss. The nipples can be reduced in size and/or repositioned to be aesthetically proportionate to the newly lifted breasts. If you plan to have children in the future, you may want to wait to have mastopexy surgery, as your body will undergo many changes throughout and following pregnancy.

Ptosis, or sagging, can be categorized into different grades:

• Grade 1 – Mild ptosis: The areola is at the level of the inframammary fold (natural crease of the breast) but breast tissue still hangs below.
• Grade 2 – Moderate ptosis: The areola is below the inframammary fold but is above the lowest point of the breast.
• Grade 3 – Severe ptosis: The areola is below the inframammary fold and is either at the lowest point of the breast or points down toward the ground.
• Pseudoptosis: The areola is at or above the inframammary fold, but the lower portion of the breast sits below the fold.

Breast Lift Techniques

Periareolar Lift

The Periareolar Lift is a technique used for women who only have minimal sagging to address. Your surgeon will make a half-circle incision around the top of your areola to lift the breast. This technique leaves the least amount of scarring since it utilizes the smallest incision of the 4 techniques and it naturally blends in with the border between the breast and the areola. Typically, this incision is used when the lift is paired with breast augmentation.

Circumareolar Lift

The Circumareolar Lift, otherwise known as the Donut Lift, utilizes a circular incision around the entire border of the areola. This too is designed for women with minimal sagging, but in addition to lifting the breast, this technique gives the surgeon the opportunity to reduce the size of the areola as well. The Circumareolar Lift can be paired with breast augmentation or a breast reduction if you desire more aesthetic change.

Vertical Lift

The Vertical Lift is also referred to as the Lollipop Lift since the incision used is much like the shape of a lollipop. The first incision is made around the circumference of the areola, followed by an incision that runs from the base of the areola to the base of the breast. This technique provides a more substantial lift than the 2 aforementioned techniques. The additional incision allows your surgeon to remove more skin and tissue, reshaping the breasts to appear more lifted and perky.

Anchor Lift

The Anchor Lift is designed specifically for women with significant sagging. This technique utilizes 3 incisions; the first and second incisions are the same as the Vertical Lift, but an additional third incision is made along the natural crease of the breast. The anchor pattern allows your surgeon to remove even more tissue and skin as necessary, lifting your breasts to a more youthful position. This is the traditional incision pattern for breast lifts and breast reductions. It maximizes the surgeon’s ability to reshape the breast. The scars take about 9-12 months to fully mature and will fade over time with consistent care. PSS offers a number of devices and products to minimize scarring.

Before and After Photos

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Consultation

During your private consultation with one of our breast lift specialists, Dr. Poulos or Dr. Hvistendahl, you’ll be able to share your dissatisfaction in detail with the doctors regarding the look and feel of your breasts, and what you hope to achieve as an outcome. The doctor will examine you to determine which breast lift technique is best for you. He will explain each technique in full detail so you are able to make an informed decision with your surgeon’s guidance. Questions are highly encouraged; an open line of communication between patient and surgeon is key to providing and receiving optimal results. Pricing quotes will be given at this time, as well as preoperative and postoperative instructions.

Preparation

• Complete specific medical tests and evaluations assigned by your surgeon.
• Refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking anti-inflammatory medications 3 weeks prior to your procedure.
• Pick up all prescriptions so you have them readily available.
• Arrange postoperative transportation since you cannot drive yourself. We recommend having this person stay overnight with you to help with your first night of recovery.
• Individual instructions may be given for your specific case.

The Procedure

During a mastopexy, our surgeons remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin, improving the overall shape of the breasts and lifting them into a more youthful position. Minor, moderate, and severe sagging each requires corresponding lifting methods. The Periareolar Lift and Circumareolar Lift are minimally invasive and require only small incisions above or around the areola respectively. The Vertical Lift is slightly more invasive and requires an incision that extends around the top of the areola and down the breast midline. The Anchor technique requires an anchor-shaped incision around the top of the areola and across the lower portion of the breast. While more invasive, the Anchor technique has the greatest lift potential.

Recovery

After your procedure is complete, your surgeon applies dressings and bandages to the incision sites. You will wear a support bra to minimize swelling by preventing fluid buildup and to support your breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be necessary to drain any excess blood or fluid collecting after the procedure. Bandages and any tubing can be removed after a couple of days. Stitches may stay in place for a week or two.

For further details on how breast lift surgery is performed, please visit our Education Center. You can also learn about common complementary procedures, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, and Mommy Makeover surgeries.

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