Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Serving Oakland & the San Francisco Bay Area

Breast lift (mastopexy): A cosmetic surgical procedure where Dr. Williams restructures breasts that have lost their original shape and appear to have an element of sagging (ptosis) or loss of volume to them. It is not designed to reduce the size or weight of breasts as would a breast reduction procedure.

Discomfort can vary based on the extent of surgery, differences in healing, and individual pain tolerance. Soreness is usually most pronounced during the first two to three days, then gradually tapers off. Your surgeon will prescribe medications for a more comfortable recovery.

For a few weeks after surgery, your breasts will feel sore, swollen, and hard, and you may feel a burning sensation in your nipples. The symptoms are nothing to worry about. If you notice any unusual changes, such as a sudden increase in swelling, severe pain, or signs of infection, contact our office immediately.

Hematoma, unfavorable scarring, infection, changes in breast or nipple sensation, pigmentation changes, asymmetry, fluid accumulation, excessive firmness, deep vein thrombosis, and cardiac or pulmonary complications are a few of the risks your surgeon will discuss with you.

After your surgery, you will need to have a trusted family member or friend drive you home from the surgical center. They should look after you for the first 24 hours since you will likely be sore from the surgery and feel groggy after anesthesia.

While a complete recovery can take several months, most patients return to work one to two weeks after the surgery. Vigorous exercise, jogging, and heavy lifting are off-limits for six to eight weeks.

You should be able to resume driving a week or two after your surgery, as long as you are no longer taking pain medication. Someone may need to drive you to and from follow-up appointments and assist with errands during this time.

It depends on the technique your surgeon uses. Anchor breast lifts have the most considerable scarring. Donut breast lifts have the least scarring. Lollipop breast lifts fall somewhere in between. Regardless of the type of breast lift, the scars are generally hidden in most clothing, bras, and swimsuit styles.

It can take 12 months or more for the scars to mature. Ideally, the scars lighten in color over time and fade to fine lines. The scars are considered permanent and may be visible even after they lose pigment. If you can’t live with scarring on your breasts, mastopexy may not be right for you.

Your surgeon may advise sleeping on your back for up to six weeks. It may also help to elevate your head on a stack of pillows. This position alleviates swelling after breast lift surgery.

Your surgeon will ask you to wear a soft, supportive bra without an underwire for several weeks after your operation.

Most patients enjoy a long-lasting result that stands the test of time. A breast lift cannot stop the aging process, however. Weight fluctuations and future pregnancies may also affect the shape and position of the breasts.

Patients should be aged 18 or older. Forty to 50 percent of patients have a breast lift between ages 40 to 54. Nearly 27 percent of breast lift patients are between 30 to 39. However, the decision to get a breast lift does not hinge on your age. Anyone with ptotic breasts may consider the procedure.

Women must not be pregnant or nursing due to the anesthesia and medications administered during and after the surgery. However, many women undergo a breast lift to address sagging, empty breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Once healed, most patients do not notice a discernible difference in breast or nipple sensitivity. A small number of patients do notice changes in sensation, which may be permanent.

Nationally, the average cost of breast lift surgery is $8,100, although pricing can vary drastically based on your surgical plan. The surgeon fee, anesthesia cost, hospital charges, and aftercare expenses all factor into the cost. You will receive a custom price quote during your consultation so you can plan financially.

Tri Valley Plastic Surgery offers financing tools such as CareCredit and PatientFi, which work similarly to a credit card with recurring monthly payments. Terms and conditions apply.

Insurance rarely covers breast lifts since they are usually done for cosmetic reasons.

While the surgical techniques are similar to a breast reduction, a breast lift usually only results in a minor decrease in breast size. Breast implants can be added if you want to retain the same breast size or increase your bra cup size. If your goal is to reduce the size of overly large breasts, your surgeon may suggest a breast reduction.

The surgery lasts two to three hours on average. The degree of sagging and complexity of the surgical technique are two main factors that impact how long the surgery lasts. If you have a combined procedure such as a mommy makeover, breast augmentation, and breast lift, expect additional time in the operating room.

Breast lifts rank as one of the top five most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures globally. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 110,280 mastopexy procedures took place in 2019 alone.

A breast reduction makes large breasts smaller and better proportioned. It also has a lifting effect, raising the breasts to a higher position on the chest. A breast lift is a limited procedure focused on making saggy breasts perky again without causing a significant change in terms of bra size. During the operation, our surgeons remove as little tissue as possible.