Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy) in La Mesa, CA

A surgical breast lift (a mastopexy) is a cosmetic treatment that lifts and firms the breasts by reducing excess skin and pulling the healthy tissue tight. This cosmetic breast surgery is offered for women who have lost breast fullness and shape and who have breast sagging due to aging, gravity, weight loss, or pregnancy. Fairly recent medical breakthroughs in breast lift surgery have made this procedure so effective that new stats released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show around a 70% increase in demand since 2000. Dr. Scott Sessions, a board-certified plastic surgeon in La Mesa, CA, offers this breast surgery at Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre. Using the most advanced methods, Dr. Sessions can create the firmer, younger-looking breasts you've been daydreaming about. If you are interested in what a breast lift may do for you, contact us soon for a private consultation with Dr. Sessions.

Breast lift surgery is a solution for raising and firming breasts that have moderate to significant sagging. A breast lift surgery generally does not add any volume; in fact, depending on the degree of sagging, breasts can appear smaller after a lift. For this reason, Dr. Sessions does sometimes recommend that patients also include breast implants with their lifts. Many patients also visit Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre thinking they only need implants to revert their breasts back to how they once looked. However, depending on the severity of the sagging present, an implant alone may not create any lift.

The best candidates for a breast lift with no augmentation have ample breast tissue, but their nipples hang below the breast crease or point downward, or their breasts appear elongated. 

Patients with less breast tissue, or whose breasts appear not only elongated but also "deflated," may need both a breast lift and an implant to achieve the look they want.

As with all plastic and cosmetic surgeries, it is important that patients are in good overall health, are at a healthy, stable weight, and do not smoke. 

Breast lift surgery takes about 2 – 4 hours and is performed using general anesthesia. The timeframe of this surgery depends on the severity of the breast sagging and whether you are also having implants included. 

The method used for a mastopexy generally falls within two categories — these are based on the size, location, and nature of the incision. The anchor technique (inverted-T) and vertical incisions are the preferred types. The appropriate technique for you will be based on your breast size and shape, the size and position of your areolas, your degree of breast sagging, and your skin quality and elasticity. 

Once the incision is made, any loose, unhealthy skin is carefully trimmed away along with breast tissue and fat that is not desired. The skin left behind is then pulled tight, and the breasts are brought up and lifted so they look younger and healthier. In many cases, the size and shape of the areola is reduced to match the new shape of the breast. It is during this time that an implant can be inserted inside the breast if this was agreed upon with Dr. Sessions before surgery. 

The overall recovery period for a mastopexy is more lengthy than breast augmentation surgery. After surgery, you will be fitted with a support bra or other compression garment to diminish swelling. A tiny tube may also be placed near the surgical area to assist with excess drainage that can sometimes occur after mastopexy treatment. The post-surgical swelling will decrease within about a week. Dr. Sessions or a member of his team will provide specific at-home incision care instructions to assist your healing process. Results following a breast lift treatment are noticeable after several months as your newly shaped breasts take their new position on your chest. The breasts will look naturally perkier.

How much does a breast lift cost?
In your initial consultation, Dr. Sessions will listen to your concerns and goals before developing your unique treatment plan. After that, he can estimate your costs. When done well, a breast lift can significantly improve your body so it's important to focus on having an experienced surgeon with extensive training, like Dr. Sessions, rather than costs. To help make surgery easier to afford, Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre can help you find low-interest financing.

Do I need a breast lift or breast implants?
Whether you should get a breast lift, implants, or both will depend on your special concerns. For many patients, a breast lift can improve the shape and fullness of the breasts without implants. Dr. Sessions will assess your physical condition and listen to your goals in your consultation and then decide whether you should get a lift, implants, or a breast augmentation with a lift.

Will my nipples be moved?
Typically, the nipple-areola complex will be shifted up during the breast lift. If your areolas are overly large or stretched, Dr. Sessions can include an areola reduction during your surgery. This can be discussed during your consultation so he can decide on the best incision pattern and technique to use during your breast lift.

How long will my results last?
With proper care after surgery, your results should last for many years. Your breasts will continue to age normally so you might begin to see sagging and loose skin over time. Factors, like significant weight gain or loss, can alter your results so it's best to maintain a stable weight after your breast lift. Pregnancy or breastfeeding after a breast lift can also affect your results, which is why Dr. Sessions recommends that patients wait until they are done having children to get a breast lift.

Can a breast lift fix asymmetry?
A lift can improve asymmetry in your breasts if they are different in size, firmness, or degree of sagging. Dr. Sessions will assess the appearance and physical condition of your breasts during your consultation and discuss how a lift can help you. During your lift, he will shape the tissue so your breasts are equal in size and position for symmetry.

Breast lift surgery has positively altered the lives of many women. If you are faced with drooping breasts that get in the way of everyday activities or prevent you from wearing the clothes you want, a breast lift at Sessions Plastic Surgery Centre may be the right surgery for you. Dr. Sessions has decades of experience with breast lift procedures and can create a tailored surgical plan to help transform your breasts. We invite you to contact our AAAASF-certified surgical facility in La Mesa, CA to learn more and schedule your first visit.