Rodeo Drive Breast Lift in Beverly Hills

At Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, we bring the same sophisticated approach to your breast lift surgery or "mastopexy" as we do to our Rodeo Drive Shaped for Fashion Breast Reduction™. Specifically, we work to make the shape and position of your breasts match the rest of your body. Just as our reductions are not only about making the breasts "smaller," our lift procedures are not only about making your breasts "higher." For many people, the ideal breast procedure is a combination of a lift and a reduction.

We pay attention to your breasts' underlying shape and your body style as we work to create the breast lift that will look best with your body - and allow you to wear the fashionable clothes sold by our boutique neighbors here on Rodeo Drive.

Below is a general description of Beverly Hills breast lift surgery. This information will begin to explain the nature of the breast lift procedure. You should also take a look at our breast reduction and breast lift photo gallery. But because our approach is so individualized, we will tell you our exact recommendations for your procedure when we meet you. Please contact us to set up a consultation.

Over time, a woman's breasts begin to sag and the areolas become larger. All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk.





Incisions outline the area of skin to be removed and the new position for the nipple. Sometimes the incision can be a "donut" shape only around the nipples and areolas. The exact incision type will depend on just how much lifting we need to do.





Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast its new contour.





After surgery, the breasts are higher and firmer, with sutures usually located around the areola, below it, and in the crease under the breast.







If your expectations are realistic, chances are you'll be satisfied with your breast lift.

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?

You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory size
• breasts that lack substance or firmness
• nipples and areolas that point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease

Sometimes these conditions may be inherited traits. In certain cases, the breasts may have developed differently so that one breast is firm and well positioned while the other is not. There may be differences in the size of your breasts as well as their shape. Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not be as long-lasting as when the procedure is done on smaller breasts.

A breast lift can be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped. Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast lift surgery before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. Since the milk ducts and nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery usually will not affect your ability to breast-feed; however, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeons.

Your Personal Consultation at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery

During the consultation, you will be asked about your desired breast shape and size. Your plastic surgeon will discuss with you how your nipples and areolas will be repositioned. You should mention anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved. At Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, we do not use "consultants" for your visit with us. You will meet with the plastic surgeon.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for breast lift surgery?

Your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts, taking measurements and perhaps photographs for your medical record. The size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the placement of the nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.

You should tell your plastic surgeon if you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, particularly if you have noticed that your breasts sag or become smaller with weight loss. Your surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before having surgery.

Where are the incisions placed?

A common method of lifting the breasts involves three incisions. One incision is made around the areola. Another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. The third incision is horizontal beneath the breast and follows the natural curve of the breast crease. Sometimes a simple "donut" incision can be used around the areola, and this approached does create less scarring.

After the plastic surgeon has removed excess breast skin, the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The areola, which in a sagging breast may have been stretched, can be reduced in size. Skin that was formerly located above the areola is brought down and together beneath it to reshape the breast.

The nipples and areolas remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, and this usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breast-feed.

What are some variations to the common breast lifting technique?

There are many variations to the design of the incisions for breast lift surgery. The size and shape of your breasts, size of your areolas, and extent of sagging are factors that will help your plastic surgeon determine the best technique for you.

In some instances, it may be possible to avoid the horizontal incision beneath the breast. Sometimes a technique may be used that avoids this horizontal incision as well as the vertical incision that runs from the bottom edge of the areola to the breast crease.

If you are a good candidate for a modified technique, your plastic surgeon at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery will discuss this with you. If you and your plastic surgeon have decided that it is desirable to enlarge your breasts at the same time as they are lifted, this will require insertion of breast implants. If this is an option that you wish to consider, your surgeon will review the necessary information with you and may provide you with a brochure on breast augmentation.

Understanding Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from breast lifts are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of women undergo successful breast lift surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

Some of the potential complications include bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. Following a breast lift, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple height may vary slightly. Minor adjustments often can be made at a later time. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or areas of breast skin may occur rarely. Revisionary surgery may sometimes be helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly.

You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

How should I prepare for surgery?

Depending on your age, or if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, your plastic surgeon may recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery and another mammographic examination some months after surgery. This will help to detect any future changes in your breast tissue. Following a breast lift, you will still be able to perform breast self-examination. Breast lift surgery will not increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Breast lift surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis at our ultra-modern and fully certified Beverly Hills surgery center. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night.

How will I look and feel initially?

The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short periods of time. After several days, you should be able to move about more comfortably. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, however, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back to avoid pressure on your breasts.

Any surgical drains will be removed within a few days of surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. You may be instructed to wear a support bra for a few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration of your breasts diminish. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately three weeks, beginning about one week after surgery.

You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. This is usually temporary. It may, however, take weeks, months or even more than a year before sensation returns to normal. Your breasts may also require some time to assume a more natural shape. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery.

When can I resume my normal activities?

After breast lift surgery, it is often possible to return to work within a week or so, depending on your job. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after several weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.

Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of one or two weeks, and your plastic surgeon may advise you to wait longer. After that, care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least the next several weeks.

Results of Your Beverly Hills Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery will make your breasts firmer and more uplifted. The position of your areolas and nipples will be enhanced, and the size of your areolas will be aesthetically pleasing.

The incisions from your breast lift surgery will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible. In some instances, they will eventually be only faint lines. Certain individuals may have incision lines that are more noticeable. Fortunately, the incisions for your breast lift are in locations easily concealed by clothing, even low-cut necklines.

How long will the results last?

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your new breast shape should remain fairly constant. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman's breasts. If, after a period of years, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a second breast lift procedure to restore their more youthful contour and appearance.

Content courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery
421 North Rodeo Drive
Terrace Level South (Second Floor)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
T 310 550 6300
F 310 550 6363

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Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery specializes in breast surgery procedures. This includes Beverly Hills breast reduction as well as Los Angeles breast augmentation. When we are doing our Beverly Hills breast enlargement procedures, we use both saline breast implants and silicone breast implants. Breast surgery is often combined with a Beverly Hills tummy tuck, and Los Angeles liposuction when we do our Rodeo Drive Mommy Makeover™ procedure. We also offer expert Beverly Hills breast lift and Los Angeles mastopexy surgery.