Breast Lift in Los Alamitos, CA

Mastopexy (known as a breast lift) is a body contouring procedure that raises the breasts by trimming away loose skin and surgically tightening the remaining tissue to result in a more youthful and healthier look. This life-changing surgery is performed for women who have lost breast firmness, size, and shape and who are experiencing breast drooping (called ptosis) due to aging, significant weight loss, or nursing. Outstanding advancements in mastopexy techniques have made this procedure so effective and successful that new statistics by the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) reveal nearly a 70% increase in demand since 2000. William P. Aiello, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Alamitos, CA, performs this procedure at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center. He is reputed as one of the top Orange County breast surgeons and has years of experience providing happy outcomes on many different breast sizes and shapes. By utilizing the latest methods, Dr. Aiello can choose the appropriate technique based upon the degree of sag present and the desired result.

You may come to Ocean Plastic Surgery Center wanting breast implants, but after a private assessment, you may discover that breast lift surgery is a better option. This is due to the amount of sagging you are experiencing. Breasts that have lost elasticity usually need skin removal and tightening surgery to reduce skin looseness and bring the breasts to a perkier position. If you have nipples that droop downward and your breasts sag significantly below the crease line, a breast lift can dramatically help their appearance.

To determine if you may need a breast lift, it helps to stand in front of a mirror, look at your nipples in relation to the natural crease beneath your breasts, and see if any sag is present. You may even place a pen under your fold in the crease. If your nipples are lower than the pen (your breast crease), you are likely a candidate for a breast lift. The various degrees of ptosis (breast sag) are explained below:

• Normal breasts  – The breasts do not sag below the crease.
• Grade 1 Ptosis – The breasts show mild sagging below the natural crease.
• Grade 2 Ptosis – The breasts show moderate sagging below the natural crease and with the nipple slightly pointing downward.
• Grade 3 Ptosis – The breasts show significant sagging. At this stage, the nipples are usually pointing downward toward the ground. 
• Pseudoptosis – This occurs when the lower aspect of the breast tissue (under the nipple) is sagging.
• Parenchymal Maldistribution – This is the term given to breasts that are sagging and drooping and show an abnormal shape and distribution.

A breast lift usually takes two hours or more and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The duration of this treatment is dependent on the nature of breast size and sagging. The surgical technique used for a breast lift typically falls into two categories — the technique is defined by the location and type of the incision. Regardless of the method used, the goal is to remove any loose skin and fat that is present and position the breasts to a higher and more lifted place on the chest wall so they appear healthy and younger.

There are four types of breast lifts commonly performed for breast ptosis. All incisions are made according to the contour of the breast so that scarring is hidden and minimal. Here are the different types of incisions:

• Anchor Incision (Full Mastopexy) – This includes an incision around the areola, vertically down to the crease, then along the breast crease horizontally, making an anchor shape. (Although for most patients, the incision under the breast crease is not seen.) This is the most common incision used by Dr. Aiello for breast lift patients, and it’s the preferred method if there is also a breast reduction done simultaneously.
• Lollipop Lift (Vertical Mastopexy) – The incision is done around the areola and vertically down to the crease only, simulating somewhat of a lollipop shape. It is can be used in some cases when there is moderate sagging and for patients not getting breast implants with a lift.
• Donut Lift (Modified Mastopexy) – This incision is done around the areola only. It is for only those patients who have very moderate or mild sagging.
• Crescent Lift – This incision is only on the upper half of the areola. The procedure usually accompanies breast augmentation and is appropriate for those with a very small degree of sagging.

In most situations, the size of the areola is reconstructed and reduced to be symmetric with the new placement and shape of the breast. At this point, an implant could also be placed in the breast if this was discussed with Dr. Aiello ahead of surgery.

Recovery for any type of breast lift is more extensive than surgery with implants only. After the procedure, you will wear a medical compression bra to assist with swelling. A thin tube is also inserted near the location of the incision to help with excess fluid leakage that can often occur after surgery. After surgery, the swelling usually goes away within several days. Dr. Aiello or a member of his team will provide in-depth home care instructions to help with your healing process. Aesthetic results after a breast lift surgery begin to take shape after a few weeks as the breasts take their higher placement on your bustline. Your breasts will feel and appear natural, and you will feel healthy and beautiful.

How much does a breast lift cost?
During your initial appointment, Dr. Aiello will listen to your wants and goals before creating your personal treatment plan. Following that, he can estimate your price. When done well, a breast lift will significantly enhance your physical appearance so it is important to concentrate on having a skilled surgeon with years of training, like Dr. Aiello, rather than prices. To help make surgery affordable, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center will help you find low-interest financing.

Do I need a breast lift or breast implants?
Whether you should have a breast lift, implants, or both depends on your specific goals. Oftentimes, a breast lift will enhance the form and fullness of your breasts with no need for implants. Dr. Aiello will evaluate your physical condition and listen to your goals at your consultation and then make a decision on whether you would benefit from implants, a lift, or an augmentation plus a lift.

Will I have more cleavage after a breast lift?
No, most likely not. A breast lift does remove excess skin, making the breasts tighter and bringing the nipples back into an aesthetic position on the breasts. However, the lift does not increase volume. By repositioning the existing tissue, some fullness in the upper part of the breasts may be restored, but this is not always the case. In those that desire increased volume or extensive upper breast fullness, a breast implant is needed in addition to a mastopexy.

Will my nipples be moved?
Generally, the nipple-areola complex will be moved up in the breast lift. If your areolas are excessively large or stretched, Dr. Aiello can incorporate an areola reduction in your surgery. This may be discussed during your appointment so he can choose the ideal incision pattern to use in your breast lift.

How long will my results last?
A mastopexy will provide great, long-lasting results; however, your results can diminish due to aging and other life changes. To answer this question, you have to consider how your breasts have changed over time and why. Weight gain adds a lot of excess tissue to the breasts, and if this weight is lost, it’s possible that there will be sagging. Pregnancy also makes a big impact on breast tissue. A breast lift is a permanent procedure. However, even though your results will be long-lasting, no surgery is able to stop the aging process. Breasts will change over time purely from the effects of gravity.

Can a breast lift fix asymmetry?
A lift may improve asymmetry in your breasts if they're different in size, firmness, or level of sagging. Dr. Aiello will evaluate the appearance and condition of your breasts in your consultation and talk about how a lift could be able to help. In your lift surgery, he will adjust the tissue so your breasts are equal in position and size for symmetry.

Surgical breast lifting has transformed the lives of many women. If you have hanging, sagging breasts that interfere with your daily activities or stop you from sporting the clothing styles you desire, a mastopexy at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, CA may be the answer to your problems. When you have your initial consultation, a thorough breast assessment will be performed by Dr. Aiello, and we will establish a tailored plan for your desired outcome. We encourage you to contact Ocean Plastic Surgery Center and speak to our patient coordinator to schedule a consultation.