Breast Lift Surgery

There’s no definite age when someone may notice their breasts beginning to droop. Some people see this change in their 20s, while others only experience it for the first time during menopause. While volume changes caused by pregnancy, nursing, and weight loss are significant contributors to the problem, the most common factor associated with sagging breasts (known technically as “ptosis”) is reduced skin elasticity, which many women experience increasingly as they age.

Over time, a person’s skin becomes weaker and less able to provide support due to loss of collagen and elastin. When it comes to breasts, this change means a gradual “migration” as gravity pulls tissues downward. The ligaments that support the breasts may also become stretched out over time.

Some other factors thought to contribute to breast sagging include a high body mass index, rapid weight fluctuations, a larger breast size (more mass means more to pull down on the skin), the hormonal fluctuations and weight fluctuations associated with having multiple pregnancies or menopause, and smoking, which weakens the skin by damaging it with nicotine.

Why would you need a breast lift? There are many types of cosmetic concerns a breast lift can treat. The goal of this type of surgery is to enhance the shape of the breasts along with the position of the areola and nipple. In addition to lifting the breasts higher on the chest wall, a breast lift can make the breasts more symmetrical or closer in appearance to each other, reduce areola size, remove extra skin, reshape the breasts to give them a rounder look, and provide better support for the nipples and areolas by tightening the skin.

Dr. Mo Zakhireh, a board-certified plastic surgeon, meticulously plans each breast lift to meet the individual needs of our patients while also respecting their physical anatomy.

This breast lift approach ensures that the breasts are sculpted for a result that is soft and subtle, yet noticeably improved.

What determines if you need a breast lift? The only way to know for sure whether you could benefit from a breast lift is to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon. During the consultation, Dr. Mo Zakhireh works with you individually to assess your body type and medical history. This is to establish whether a breast lift would be the most appropriate way to help you achieve your goals, or another type of breast procedure would be best.

Ideal breast lift candidates include patients who are in a good state of health, maintain a stable weight, and don’t smoke. You may be a breast lift candidate if you’re dissatisfied with the sagging of your breasts and their loss of volume or shape.

Patients who choose to have a breast lift often have nipples and areolas that are pulled downward or are sitting at a level below the creases beneath their breasts. Their breasts may have a flattened, elongated, or pendulous appearance. They may have stretched skin or downward-pointing nipples that fall below the breast crease.

A breast lift can also correct breast asymmetry. As breast lift surgery won’t significantly alter the size of the breasts, patients who are hoping to dramatically increase or decrease their breast volume should choose augmentation or reduction, respectively. Either procedure can be paired with a lift in certain circumstances.

However, not everyone is a good breast lift candidate. It’s better to delay having a breast lift if you plan on becoming pregnant in the future. You might have better results if you have smaller breasts as the heaviness of large breasts may cause them to sag again at some point.

Dr. Mo Zakhireh believes that a good breast lift should look realistic, maintain functionality of the breasts, and provide long-lasting results. Cosmetic Surgery Institute accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways.

First, to create a teardrop shape, Dr. Mo Zakhireh reconstructs the breast crease with internal stitching so that the breast maintains projection and a natural slope. This breast lift technique also prevents the breast from “bottoming out” (distorting in shape) in the long term. In addition, our surgeons pay special attention to small details during surgery in order to create delicate enhancements. One such area of focus is the shaping of the nipple-areola complex. Using very methodical surgical techniques, Dr. Mo Zakhireh crafts a natural shape without sacrificing nipple sensation.

To view real results from some of our breast lift patients, visit our photo gallery.

There are many reasons a patient may choose a breast lift, from addressing post-baby sagging to restoring an appearance of symmetry to breasts that have grown uneven looking over time. Some patients want to correct breasts that have been pulled down by large implants—and then want smaller implants put in place to ensure that the problem doesn’t happen the same way again. Still other patients have had “droopy”-looking breasts their whole life and finally want to do something about it.

The right technique for you will depend on your goals and degree of sagging. It is important to understand, however, that a breast lift is designed to alter the breasts’ position and “perkiness”—not their volume. Patients who want bigger breasts that project more should consider a different approach.

Some patients may be asking themselves, “Should I get breast augmentation or a breast lift?” For breast augmentation, implants are placed in the breasts to increase their size and improve their shape for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, breast augmentation isn’t designed to address sagging or drooping breasts. Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift on its own won’t change the size of the breasts in a significant way. It does not involve implants in of itself, though it can be combined with augmentation. Sometimes you may not be sure which surgery or combination of surgeries will be best suited for helping you achieve your desired aesthetic. During your consultation, we will work with you to tailor a treatment that is best for your unique body type and goals.

While some of our breast lift patients want to improve their breast shape only, many others also want to enhance the size of their breasts. In this case, a breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation to create a fuller and perkier look. These procedures can be performed simultaneously for your convenience.

During your consultation, implant sizers are placed inside the bra to show the different levels of enhancement that can be achieved. We encourage you to bring several outfits to try on during the sizing process. Additionally, friends or loved ones are also welcome during this time to provide multiple perspectives.