Breast Lift in Scottsdale

Helping You Achieve Firmer, More Youthful Breasts

See our Before and After Gallery for patient procedures performed

The shape of your breasts can be influenced by many factors such as breast feeding, pregnancy, changes in weight, gravity, and the natural aging process. Over time, breasts can lose their elasticity and firmness, but a simple breast lift or breast correction procedure can lift and tighten the skin of the breasts without the use of a breast implant for a more youthful and firmer overall appearance. Though a breast lift, or Mastoplexy, won’t significantly change the size of your breasts, it can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation or breast reduction to eliminate sagging breasts, reduce the size of the areola, or move the nipple higher to be in line with the lower crease of the breast. When it comes to breast lift surgery, Dr. Deborah Bash is the best plastic surgeon in town, so you can count on her to help you achieve the perky breasts you have always wanted.

Common Reasons to Consider a Breast Lift

While breast lift surgery can be performed at any age, we recommend waiting until your breast development has stopped, you have achieved a stable weight, and you have no future pregnancies planned before considering a breast lift. Some of the reasons you may have for desiring a breast augmentation include:

• You are unhappy with the appearance of your sagging breasts
• Gravity, aging, and stress have affected your breasts shape
• You have sagging breasts that are loose and lack substance
• One of your drooping breasts is lower than the other
• Your nipples and areolas point downward
• Your areolas are stretched out of shape

The Consultation

During your initial consultation, Dr. Bash will take a detailed medical history and perform an examination of your breasts. She will ask you questions about your desired breast shape and size. This is the time to mention any other breast improvements you have in mind so Dr. Bash has a full understanding of your expectations. If you have had previous breast surgery—such as prior implants, a prior breast lift, or even breast biopsies, she will take into account how those surgeries may have an impact on a breast lift. Dr. Bash may also recommend a baseline mammogram before plastic surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue.

What to Expect

Once you and Dr. Bash have developed a breast surgery plan, you will work with her staff to schedule a surgery date. You will be seen a second time for a “pre-op” visit, where the breast lift surgery will be reviewed, photos will be taken, and post-op instructions will be provided in detail. The breasurgery is performed either at the hospital or at a free standing outpatient surgery center that is fully accredited and uses only board certified anesthesiologist. You will see Dr. Bash again just before going into surgery, so that you can have a After surgery, your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks and may be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra, but you will be able to move around normally. You’ll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, so you should avoid actions that involve lifting, straining, or strenuous exercise until the breasts have completely healed.

Things to Know About Breast Lifts

Sagging breasts can affect your self-confidence and even cause discomfort associated with skin irritation beneath your breasts. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts, learning more about the results achievable through breast lift surgery can help you decide whether a breast lift will help you reach your breast change goals.

• Particularly for older women or women who have gone through several pregnancies, breast lift surgery can take years of gravity, aging, and stress off your bustline. The results of a breast lift are extremely long-lasting, but aren’t necessarily permanent—your body will keep aging and your breasts may still change shape and position slightly in the future.
• Breast lift surgery is meant solely to address the position of the breasts and the location or shape of the areola. However, this procedure can be combined with breast augmentation to simultaneously lift your bustline and increase the volume of your breasts. In some cases, you may be able to choose smaller implants by combining breast augmentation with a breast lift, as a change in position and firmness can have a dramatic effect on overall breast appearance.

Breast Lift Considerations

A breast lift can be performed at any age, however, it is recommended that women wait until breast development has stopped, a stable weight is achieved, and no future pregnancies are planned. Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts.

A breast lift can be performed on breasts of any size. Women with smaller sagging breasts will likely have longer lasting results. Larger breasts are heavier, which makes them more likely to sag again. The following conditions could indicate that breast lift surgery is right for you:

• Have breasts that lack substance or firmness
• Have breasts that are loose and sagging (breasts are flatter and longer)
• Have one breast that falls lower than the other
• Have nipples and areolas that point downward (fall below your breast creases)
• Have areolas stretched out of proportion to your breasts

During the consultation, you will be asked about your desired breast shape and size. Dr. Bash 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 those expectations can be met.

Depending on your age, or if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, Dr. Bash may also 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 self breast-examinations. Breast lift surgery will not increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

Breastfeeding is a consideration, as well. Since the milk ducts and nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery will not typically affect your ability to breastfeed, however some women might have difficulties producing enough milk. If you have concerns about breastfeeding after a breast lift surgery, you should discuss this with your surgeon.

Factors That Affect Breast Lift Candidacy

Any adult woman in good health is generally a candidate for breast lift surgery, regardless of the shape and size of her breasts or the reason for tissue laxity and sagging. However, there are additional factors to consider that might affect your candidacy in terms of final results and their longevity. Women should be close to their ideal weight before undergoing breast lift procedures, as significant weight loss typically causes volume loss and sagging in the breasts. Waiting until you reach your ultimate weight goal will yield the longest-lasting results. Similarly, women should wait to undergo breast lift surgery until after their last pregnancy to avoid breast volume changes associated with future pregnancies. Women who are pregnant or still breastfeeding should not have a breast lift until after this period.

Breast Lift Options

There are several common techniques that may be utilized during a breast lift procedure. The size and shape of your breasts, size of your areolas, extent of sagging, and the desired outcome of the patient are factors that will help your surgeon determine the best technique for you like having a mini lift, Periareolar mastopexy, “Lollipop” mastopexy or Inverted-T or anchor shaped mastopexy. Incisions may be made in one of three ways:

• Around the areola
• Vertically downward from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast.
• Horizontal beneath the breast and follows the natural curve of the breast crease

When fuller, rounder breasts are the goal, a combination breast lift and breast augmentation surgery may be necessary. There are several methods available for breast augmentation, including saline and silicone implants, as well as autologous fat transfer.

When smaller breasts are the goal, a combination breast lift and breast reduction may be recommended. During the breast lift procedure, extra breast tissue will be removed. The remaining tissue and skin will then be lifted and firmed.

You and your surgeon will discuss which method is best for your desired outcome and individual circumstance.

What to Expect from a Breast Lift Procedure

After a breast lift, your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. In the unlikely event you need drains, small tubes might be placed at the incision sites in your breasts to drain any excess blood or fluid from the surgical sites. You will be able to move around normally; however, actions that involve lifting, straining, or strenuous exercise should be avoided until the breasts have completely healed. You may be instructed to sleep on your back to avoid pressure on your breasts. Pain medication and antibiotics may be prescribed to help alleviate discomfort and reduce the risk of infection. Sexual activity should be limited during the two weeks after surgery.

Any surgical drains are usually removed within a few days of surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. Generally, dissolving stitches are used and none need to be removed. You may be instructed to wear a support bra for a few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration of your breasts diminish. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. You’ll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. Sensation loss is usually temporary and may take weeks, months or even more than a year to return to normal. Your breasts may also require some time to assume a more natural shape.

The breast lift procedure will leave some scarring along the incision sites. While scars are permanent, they will soften and become thin and white within one to two years. The scarring will generally follow along the natural lines of the breast and can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. The extent of the scars will depend largely on your body’s ability to heal. Scarring is usually more extensive in smokers.

Maintaining a stable, healthy weight can help you retain your results. Over time skin inelasticity due to aging and gravity may make another procedure necessary to retain the desired results.

Surgery Risks

Each year thousands of women undergo successful breast lift surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Significant complications from a breast lift are infrequent; however, make sure you understand what surgery involves, including possible risks, complications and follow-up care. Breast lift surgery poses various risks, including:

• Diminished sensitivity or permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or areas of breast skin.
• Irregularities or asymmetry in the shape and size of the breasts. (This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process, or surgery might not successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry).
• The areolas (the pigmented area around the nipples) may appear uneven
• Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple or areola is interrupted during a breast lift. This can damage breast tissue in the area and lead to the partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.
• Rarely, poor healing can cause scars to become thick and wide.
• Difficulty breast-feeding.

Like any major surgery, a breast lift surgery poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure

Contact Deborah Bash

Dr. Deborah Bash can help you determine the best breast procedures to achieve the bustline you want in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ. Please call our office today to schedule an appointment and explore your options.