What is a Breast Lift?

This procedure restores the breasts by removing excess tissue and skin while also decreasing the size of the areolas, which can grow undesirably large over time, to raise the breasts to their more youthful position. Some women also choose to have this procedure performed alongside breast augmentation to restore volume and firmness.

A few factors which could contribute to a loss in breast position are:

  • Pregnancy
  • Weight loss
  • Effects of gravity

The Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Procedure

There are different stages of breast deformation, and Dr. Shapiro performs different styles of breast lifts in Scottsdale for optimal results. The incision technique will depend on the patient’s breast size and shape as well as the amount of sagging and the desired results.

You can determine what type of breast lift is necessary by viewing your profile in a mirror. The natural crease of the breast determines the amount of skin elasticity and sagging. A youthful breast will have a nipple that is above this crease.

Types of Breast Lifts

Mastopexy Augmentation

Breast with mild sagging will require a small crescent-shaped incision above the areola.

This breast lift procedure is often combined with breast implants to restore firmness and volume to the breasts.

Full Breast Lift

Breasts with severe sagging will require a full breast lift. With this technique, Dr. Shapiro will make an anchor-shaped incision that goes around the areola, vertically down to the crease, and then across the crease of the breast. This allows Dr. Shapiro to reshape the breasts, lift the nipple to its more youthful position and reduce the size of the areola.

Periareolar Mastopexy

Breasts with moderate sagging will require a technique that involves a circular incision around the areolas.

Excess skin between the areola and incision is removed. This breast lift procedure allows the areolas to be reduced in size.

Breast LiftBefore & After

Patient is a 31-year-old female who after having breast feeding four children, had noticed progressive loss of youthful volume to her breasts. She desired perkier breasts with more superior volume, and reduction of the nipple areolar complexes that had enlarged over time. She was a C cup and would like to stay in approximately the same range. She is 5’2” and weighs 144 lbs.

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What Will My Breast Lift Recovery be Like?

After surgery, patients typically wear a soft support bra for up to two months to control swelling and ensure proper healing. Drainage tubes may be placed at the surgery site to prevent a build-up of fluids, which will be removed a few days after surgery. Patients experience the most discomfort during the first two or three days. Dr. Shapiro will prescribe pain medication to control this discomfort.

Your breasts will be tender, swollen and likely bruised after surgery, with bruising and tenderness fading over the next week or two. Some swelling may linger for up to a couple of months. After surgery, your ability to lift your arms will be limited while you heal, so it is important to have someone to help you wash your hair and pick up anything heavy.

Most patients return to work and light activity within a week, although pushing, pulling and lifting should wait until the incisions fully heal. Patients typically resume moderate exercise about four to six weeks after surgery.

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Scars and Maintenance after Breast Lift Surgery

Scars using the periareolar technique are typically only obvious around the immediate areola where the incision is closed. With a full lift, scars will be located around the areola, in a line to the crease and inside of the crease. These scars can be made less noticeable by the crease itself. Scars around the areola typically fade much faster than other scars.

 Over time, the vertical scar from a full lift will be very difficult to see. Dr. Shapiro recommends using silicone gel sheeting to reduce the visibility of these scars for the first few months after the procedure. He may also use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser therapy to reduce scar redness and visibility.

What are the Risks and Complications of a Breast Lift?

Complications with this procedure are uncommon, but can include bleeding, infection, delayed healing and loss of nipple sensation, which may be permanent but is typically temporary and lasts up to one year.

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What Does a Breast Lift Cost in Scottsdale and Phoenix?

Each breast lift performed by Dr. Shapiro is a one-of-a-kind procedure tailored to your unique goals and wishes, so pricing will vary from patient to patient. On average, mastopexy costs between $6,000 and $15,000 in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas. Factors that affect the total cost are the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, postoperative garment fees, and others. We will ensure that you receive a detailed quote for services at the time of your private consultation.

It’s important to remember that pricing should not be the foremost concern when choosing a plastic surgeon. You want to make sure your surgery is performed by a consummate artist with a track record for safety, personalized attention, and balanced, natural-looking results. Dr. Shapiro is among the leading authorities in the Scottsdale area when it comes to breast surgery, and he is excited to discuss your options for improvement. Call us today to schedule your confidential consultation.

Before & After Breast Lift Surgery

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Breast Lift FAQs

If I Plan to Have Kids, When Should I have a Breast Lift?

Can I Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?

Will a Breast Lift Prevent Me from Getting Breast Augmentation Later?

What Other Procedures Complement a Breast Lift?

How Big are the Scars from a Breast Lift?

How Does a Breast Lift Affect the Size of my Boobs?

If I Plan to Have Kids, When Should I have a Breast Lift?

Because bearing children can significantly change a woman’s breasts, if you plan to get pregnant within the next year, you’ll likely want to get a breast lift only after you’ve had your child and finished breastfeeding. While it would be safe in most cases to get a lift pre-pregnancy, the results would likely not last and would later require a revision.

Can I Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?

Yes, providing the nipple is left attached to the underlying ducts. Where very large amounts of excess skin needs to be removed, the nipple may need to be removed and repositioned, which could affect breastfeeding.

Will a Breast Lift Prevent Me from Getting Breast Augmentation Later?

No, if you later decide to get breast implants or otherwise increase the size of your breasts, a lift will not prevent that.

What Other Procedures Complement a Breast Lift?

Many of our patients opt to combine a breast lift with either breast enlargement or breast reduction. The procedure can also be done as part of a mommy makeover, in which case it would be done along with a tummy tuck and liposuction.

How Big are the Scars from a Breast Lift?

The size of your scars depends upon the lift method or technique used, as well as on the skill of your surgeon. Incisions made in a breast lift will be fine lines subject to fading and flattening out over time (it being no longer elevated above the rest of the breast. Stress is placed on creating the least visible scars possible while providing the required amount of lift.

How Does a Breast Lift Affect the Size of my Boobs?

Generally speaking, unless you ask for your breasts to be made larger or smaller, their size won’t significantly change with a breast lift. Depending on how much lifting is to be done, you may go down by down by about a half cup size.

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