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Elevating Beauty

A breast lift in San Francisco, also known as mastopexy, can help to reverse this trend, repositioning breasts in a higher, more youthful position on the chest. Breast lifts may be performed alone or in combination with other types of breast enhancement like breast augmentation or reduction.

What is a Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia in most cases. Most procedures take around two hours to perform, depending on the amount of correction required and whether another procedure will be done at the same time. After the surgeon makes the necessary corrections through the incisions, those incisions will be closed using very small sutures to minimize post-operative scarring. If breast augmentation is performed at the same time, the implants chosen by the patient and surgeon will be placed into the breast tissue during the procedure.

Implants rarely change the way in which the incisions will be placed. However, if breast reduction is performed with a breast lift, the incisions will likely be more extensive and the procedure may take a bit longer to complete.

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More About Breast Lifts

A breast lift in San Francisco is designed to remove excess skin and tissue from the breast area to create a smoother, firmer breast. In some cases, the nipple and areola may need to be repositioned to achieve a natural look. An oversized areola, stretched due to breast sagging, can also be reduced to create an aesthetically pleasing look. Breast lifts can also correct asymmetries that have developed between the breasts. Breast lifts are typically recommended for healthy women who have experienced breast sagging due to the aging process, large weight fluctuations, and issues related to pregnancy. The procedure is not generally advised for women who are planning to have more children, since pregnancy and nursing could affect the results of the procedure. Dr. Maas meets with patients at the Maas ClinicTM to discuss their concerns and aesthetic goals and determine whether a breast lift is the right choice for them.

Options in Breast Lifts

To ensure breast lift surgery can be customized to the specific needs of each individual patient, there are a number of techniques and incision placements to choose from. Those techniques include:

Crescent Incision

This incision is placed around the top edge of the areola, forming a crescent shape. The least invasive of all breast lift procedures, this incision is usually reserved for women who do not require much correction or have opted to have implants placed at the same time the lift procedure is performed.

Periareolar Incision

This incision goes around the areola and can be used for mild sagging as well. The periareolar incision may also be recommended for women who require a reduction of the areola during the procedure. Scarring is barely visible around the boundary of the areola.

Anchor Incision

This technique includes both incisions from the lollipop and adds a third horizontal line along the breast crease at the bottom of the breast. Reserved for patients that require the most correction, the anchor incision allows for the removal of the most loose skin and tissue from the breast. It may also be recommended when breast reduction will be combined with the lift procedure.

Lollipop Incision

This incision combines the areolar incision with another straight vertical line that extends from the nipple to the breast crease. The lollipop incision may be required for women who need more correction, including the removal of excess skin around the breast. Although the incision is larger, care is taken to minimize visible scarring after surgery.

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Post Operative Care

After breast lift surgery, patients often experience bruising, swelling and discomfort for a few days. Oral pain medication helps to manage discomfort, while a special surgical bra minimizes swelling and holds the breasts in their new position while they heal. Some women will also have small drains placed into the incisions to prevent a buildup of fluid during the early stages of recovery. Drains are usually removed by the surgeon a few days after the procedure. Patients will be instructed to sleep on their backs for the first few weeks to avoid putting undue pressure on the breasts while they heal.

Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are also restricted for a number of weeks for the same, reason. Most women are able to return to their jobs and moderate activities within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Those who follow their post-operative instructions carefully tend to have the shortest and most comfortable recovery process. While preliminary results of a breast lift may be seen right away, the full results will not become evident until the swelling goes completely down and the breasts heal fully.

During those first few months, it is also important to take good care of incisions and protect them from direct sun exposure so they can fade as much as possible. Most women are able to see their full results from their breast lift procedure within a few months after their surgery.

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Breast Lift FAQ

How long does the recovery process take after a breast lift?

Will a breast lift reduce the size of my breasts?

Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?

How long does the recovery process take after a breast lift?

Recovery typically takes about 4–6 weeks, with most patients able to return to work and normal activities within 1–2 weeks. Full healing, including swelling reduction and scar maturation, may take several months to a year.

Will a breast lift reduce the size of my breasts?

A breast lift focuses on reshaping and repositioning the breasts, not significantly altering their size. However, some women perceive a slight reduction in size because the procedure removes excess skin. For a fuller appearance, combining a lift with augmentation might be recommended.

Can I still breastfeed after a breast lift?

Many women retain their ability to breastfeed after a breast lift, especially if the nipple and areola remain attached to the underlying breast tissue. However, this depends on the surgical technique used, so it’s essential to discuss future breastfeeding plans with your surgeon.

Breast Lift at the Maas Clinic™

Breast lift results are generally considered dramatic and long-lasting. However, time and weight fluctuations may take their toll once again, necessitating another procedure years down the road. There are many factors that play into these potential changes, including skin laxity, breast weight, and health of the patient, so it can be difficult to predict exactly how long breast lift results will last.

A breast lift is a highly personal choice that should be made between a woman and her plastic surgeon. While Dr. Maas does not perform breast procedures personally, he works with his patients closely throughout the process to ensure they are comfortable with the procedure and that their aesthetic goals are met.

Dr. Maas refers his patients to some of the best plastic surgeons in the Bay Area to ensure his patients enjoy the best possible results from their procedures.

Dr. Maas has an extensive network of plastic surgeons specializing in mastopexy procedures in the Bay Area. For a referral to a surgeon near you, please contact us today.

Corey S. Maas MD™ reviewed the information about breast lift. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.

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