Breast Lift in Pasadena, CA

Perky breasts are associated with youth, femininity, and vitality, but most women experience drooping breasts after childbearing or aging. Sagging breasts often affect women’s self-esteem and confidence and may make finding a comfortable bra or top challenging. Dr. Nima Naghshineh is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Pasadena, providing breast lifts to restore youthful, firm breasts. He takes a patient-first approach to plastic surgery and focuses on reaching your goals to provide perkier breasts that balance out your silhouette. 

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift? 

The best candidates for a breast lift are those with sagging breasts that are not too large. Though a breast lift can be performed on breasts of any size, those with large breasts may benefit more from a breast reduction procedure. If you’re planning on having more children, are nursing, or lose more than 20 pounds, your breast lift results may be damaged. 

Breast lift patients may have sagging breasts from natural aging, breastfeeding (or chestfeeding), weight loss, pregnancy, or the general effects of gravity. Women interested in a breast lift may have one breast that hangs lower or nipples and areolas that face either downward instead of outward or in different directions. A breast lift won’t increase cup size or add volume to the upper pole of the breasts, and a breast augmentation with a breast lift may be best in those situations. 

Candidates for a breast lift should be physically healthy and at a stable weight. You should not smoke or should be willing to quit before your breast lift through the end of your recovery.

How Does Breast Lift Surgery Work? 

Mastopexy, or breast lift, surgically lifts, reshapes, and tightens the breast tissues to address loose skin, enlarged areolas, asymmetrical breasts, and other cosmetic imperfections. Your breast lift surgery with Dr. Nima takes place at an accredited surgical facility where you will go under general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure. Your skin will be cleaned and prepped for surgery with markings for the incision lines. The location of your incisions depends on the severity of breast ptosis (drooping breasts). 

Dr. Nima removes extra skin, reshapes the breast mound to achieve a rounder, more youthful shape, and tightens the tissues to provide more support. Our plastic surgeon lifts and tightens breast tissue and muscle, then sutures them in place. The nipple-areolar complex is sometimes relocated to a higher position, which may preserve some nerve connections with the milk ducts or sever them completely to move the tissues like a skin graft. After the incisions are closed, Dr. Nima bandages the chest and applies a surgical bra to reduce swelling. 

Where Are the Breast Lift Incisions Located? 

The incision site will depend on your breast and areola size and shape, the degree of sagging, and the elasticity of your skin. Typically, incisions are made around the areola in a circular pattern (donut breast lift), around the areola and vertically from the areola to the breast crease (lollipop breast lift), or around the areola, vertically from the breast crease and horizontally along the crease (anchor breast lift). After the incision, the breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast shape and firmness. The nipple may also be repositioned.

What Is Recovery After a Breast Lift Like? 

You may wake up from breast lift surgery with a thin drainage tube to remove excess fluid and avoid significant swelling. You can expect some discomfort, bruising, and swelling after your breast lift. Your skin may feel tight, but these symptoms improve during the first two weeks of breast lift recovery. Surgical drains are removed a few days after the procedure, but incisions take several months to heal completely. (Incision lines will improve and lighten for one year after surgery.) 

Our medical staff will provide detailed instructions for caring for surgical drains and changing bandages. Follow Dr. Nima’s instructions to the letter and report any complications or concerns to our Pasadena office immediately. Take your prescription medications as directed to prevent infection and excessive discomfort. Pain medicines or over-the-counter drugs reduce pain and are taken on a strict schedule. 

Wear your special compression bra according to Dr. Nima’s directions to support your breasts while they heal and reduce swelling. Take care to move slowly and deliberately and do not elevate your arms above your head; it’s best to keep your elbows at your sides to prevent adding strain to the chest. Many women find it easiest to sleep on their back at an angle. 

You may return to work one to two weeks after your breast lift unless your job requires heavy lifting or hard labor. Vigorous exercise and activities, including weightlifting and intercourse, must be avoided for up to six weeks.

When Will I See Results After My Breast Lift? 

You will notice firmer, perkier breasts right after breast lift surgery. You may find your bras and clothing fit better after your breasts have healed, along with a boost in your body confidence. Breast lift results can last several years, but your skin will continue to age. Future pregnancies or weight fluctuations can affect your results. You can enjoy long-term breast lift results by leading a healthy lifestyle and following recovery instructions.

If you’re interested in a breast lift, contact Dr. Nima in Pasadena, California. Schedule your consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon by calling (626) 696-8181.