Breast Lift in San Diego
Breast lift surgery restores a youthful breast appearance for women who experience significant sagging due to childbirth, breastfeeding, weight loss, or age-related factors. This procedure involves manipulating and reshaping the loose breast tissue and excess skin. At Coastal Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Munish Batra tailors your breast lift to meet your aesthetic needs. He can combine your breast lift surgery with an augmentation or reduction to deliver gratifying and desirable results.
What Is Breast Lift Surgery?
A breast lift—or mastopexy—is a cosmetic procedure designed to lift and reshape the breasts for a younger-looking and uplifted appearance. This procedure addresses sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissue to enhance breast firmness and contour.
What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
A breast lift can help women achieve more youthful upper body contours and is often sought when significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy, aging, or genetics cause the following concerns:
Improves Breast Sagging
Breast tissue sags naturally with age and gravity. This process can be expedited by pregnancy, weight loss, or poor breast care. Sagging breasts can lead to skin irritation under the breasts and physical insecurities. Breast lift surgery raises the breasts and improves the contour by tightening the skin and glandular tissue.
Reduces Large Areolas
While some women are born with large areolas, other women develop stretched or enlarged areolas after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast lift surgery shrinks and repositions the areolas to a more aesthetically pleasing size and position. Downward-pointing nipples due to breast sagging can also be lifted.
Enhances Breast Shape
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss not only cause breasts to sag but can also lead to a deflated breast appearance. Breast lift surgery tightens the breast tissue, making the breasts more compact and perky. If additional volume is desired, adding a breast augmentation with implants can enhance the breast size and shape.
What Are My Breast Lift Options?
The incision technique used for your breast lift surgery depends on the extent of correction needed and the various degrees of breast laxity and excess skin.
Donut Incision
A donut incision—also known as the periareolar incision or the Benelli lift—is designed for women with mild to moderate sagging. This incision encircles the areola, allowing breast tissues to be moderately tightened and excess skin removed while providing the least amount of scarring.
Lollipop Incision
The lollipop incision—also known as a keyhole incision—is best for patients with moderate sagging. This incision encircles the areola and extends vertically down the lower pole of the breast. It allows for more correction than the donut lift.
Anchor Incision
The anchor incision—also known as an inverted-T incision—is the gold-standard breast lift technique and is designed for patients with moderate to severe sagging. This incision encircles the areola, extends vertically down the lower breast, and runs horizontally across the inframammary fold. This technique tightens the breast tissues and removes excess skin. Although this breast lift option creates more scarring, it allows for the most significant correction.
How Is a Breast Lift Performed?
Breast lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia to ensure a painless procedure. Dr. Batra will make the appropriate incision (donut, lollipop, or anchor), reshape and lift the breast tissue, and remove any excess skin to achieve the desired breast contour. If necessary, the nipple-areola complex may be raised to a higher, more youthful, and aesthetically pleasing position. The incisions will then be closed with sutures, and dressings or bandages will be applied.
Can I Combine a Breast Lift With Other Procedures?
Yes, breast lift surgery can often be combined with other procedures, such as:
Combining procedures can address multiple concerns simultaneously and may result in a more comprehensive aesthetic enhancement. Your surgeon can help determine the best approach based on your individual needs and goals.
Combining cosmetic breast surgery with body contouring procedures is commonly known as a Mommy Makeover.
What Can I Expect During My Breast Lift Recovery?
Breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but these symptoms can be easily managed with prescription or over-the-counter medication. Most of the bruising and swelling will subside over one to two weeks, but it may take a few months to disappear completely.
Most patients can return to their daily activities within one week, but they should avoid strenuous activities for six weeks to ensure the breasts heal without complication.
Patients will wear a specialized surgical bra in the weeks following their surgery to help reduce swelling and keep their breasts elevated as they heal.
When Will I See My Breast Lift Results?
Patients will see their breast lift results immediately after surgery. Breast lift surgery provides long-lasting results for women of all ages. However, a breast lift will not stop the natural aging process, and women will eventually experience additional age-related breast ptosis. Factors like weight fluctuations or further pregnancies will also impact the quality and longevity of your results. A supportive, well-fitting bra should be worn every day to help prolong the quality of your breast lift results.
Why Choose Coastal Plastic Surgeons in San Diego, CA, for Your Breast Lift?
Choosing the right breast surgeon is the first step to achieving lasting, desirable results. Dr. Batra is honored to be regarded as one of the most experienced plastic surgery specialists in the San Diego area, with over two decades of experience in breast-related procedures. He is proud to offer breast augmentations, breast lifts, and breast reductions for women seeking cosmetic breast surgery in and around San Diego and Del Mar, California.
Trust between a patient and their surgeon is vital to a successful outcome. Dr. Batra at Coastal Plastic Surgeons has been working with patients and delivering stunning results for over two decades.
To learn more about your San Diego breast lift options, call (858) 365-3558 and schedule your consultation with Dr. Batra at Coastal Plastic Surgeons.
Patient Testimonials
Breast Lift FAQ
What happens during a breast lift consultation?
We advise patients to bring a list of questions about breast lift surgery to their consultation. Dr. Batra will listen carefully to the concerns and goals related to your breast appearance and answer any questions you may have. He will review your medical history and ask about any medications you are taking and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and alcohol use. After examining your breasts and physical anatomy, he will determine your candidacy for this procedure and make his recommendations. You will receive an inclusive cost estimate at the end of your visit.
How do I prepare for breast lift surgery?
If you decide to move forward with breast lift surgery, follow pre-operative instructions, such as avoiding certain medications and making arrangements for post-operative care and recovery. Patients will also need to stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery and four weeks after surgery.
What is ptosis?
Ptosis refers to the drooping or sagging of the breasts, which occurs when the skin loses its elasticity and breast tissue descends lower on the chest. It is commonly addressed through breast lift surgery to restore a more youthful and lifted appearance.
Am I a candidate for a breast lift in San Diego?
You may be a candidate for a breast lift in San Diego if you experience sagging or drooping breasts due to factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or aging. Ideal candidates are generally in good health, have realistic expectations, and are dissatisfied with the position or shape of their breasts.
How much does a breast lift cost in San Diego, CA?
The cost of your breast lift surgery in San Diego, CA, reflects your surgeon's experience and technical skill in performing this procedure. This cost will vary significantly depending on the breast lift incisions, techniques used, and any combination procedure that may be added. Additional cost factors include anesthesia fees, facility fees, surgeon's fees, pre-surgical tests, post-surgical dressings, and medications. Dr. Batra will provide you with a cost estimate during your one-on-one consultation.
To make planning and managing the cost of your breast lift, Coastal Plastic Surgeons offer financing options with Alphaeon® or CareCredit®.
Does breast lift surgery reduce the size of the breasts?
Breast lift surgery removes excess skin and tightens the breast tissue. While it creates a more compacted breast, breast lift surgery does not significantly reduce the size of the breasts. Women may notice that their bras fit a little better (or looser); however, bra size should not change. If patients are interested in a noticeable reduction, breast reduction surgery can be combined with a lift.
What are the potential risks and complications associated with breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery is a safe procedure with minimal risk or threat of complications. Rare side effects can include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Loss of nipple sensitivity
- Changes in skin sensation
- Fluid accumulation
Smoking immediately before or after your surgery can increase your risk of these side effects. Patients should stop smoking four weeks before the surgery and remain smoke-free for at least four weeks after the surgery.
Will I have scars after my breast lift?
Patients will develop scarring after their breast lift regardless of the techniques used. While Dr. Batra does his best to keep these as small and hidden as possible, scars will form at all incision sites. Patients can help minimize the appearance of these scars by keeping the healing incisions out of the sun, avoiding any excess trauma to the incision sites, and applying silicone strips or gel to the incisions. Scars can be hidden beneath bras or bathing suits and will fade over time with proper care.
Is breast lift surgery painful?
Your breast lift will be performed under general anesthesia to ensure a painless procedure. An oral pain medication or TYLENOL® can keep you comfortable during the early stages of your recovery. Most significant discomfort fades within the first few days.
Will I still be able to breastfeed after a breast lift?
While some women who undergo breast lift surgery can breastfeed after their lift, this procedure can impact their ability to do so. Breast lift surgery tightens the tissues and removes excess skin; therefore, it is possible to damage the milk ducts or sever this connection during this procedure. Women interested in undergoing a breast lift before having children should inform Dr. Batra if breastfeeding is a concern. Most women can produce some milk after the treatment; however, it may need to be supplemented with formula.
Will insurance cover my breast lift?
In most cases, breast lift surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, if breast ptosis is severe enough to cause physical discomfort or interfere with daily activities, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure. It's essential to check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.