How Breast Lift Surgery is Performed by a Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy, also known as a breast lift, can help restore the firmness and shape of breasts that have started to sag because of age, gravity, or pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding. By removing excess skin and fat, the breasts will appear perkier and more youthful. Many patients choose to undergo breast augmentation at the same time as the breast lift. Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Firouz specializes in breast lift surgeries and tailors each surgery to the individual patient's goals.

Who Is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?

Women opt for a breast lift for a variety of reasons. A board-certified plastic surgeon may determine that the procedure is appropriate in the following situations:

  • age or gravity are causing the breasts to sag,
  • the breasts have lost volume and firmness because of pregnancy and breastfeeding,
  • the breasts have lost suppleness following significant weight loss, or
  • the nipples and areolas are not properly aligned.

What to Expect During Mastopexy Surgery

Plastic surgeon Dr. Firouz may perform a breast lift using a variety of techniques based on the patient's situation and the desired results. The most frequently used method involves making an anchor-shaped incision under the breast. The excess skin is removed, the breast is reshaped, and the areola and nipple are repositioned.

Patients with smaller breasts may be suitable candidates for a procedure that uses a less extensive incision. An example of this is the concentric mastopexy. This procedure involves making doughnut-shaped incisions around the nipple and areola to excise the excess skin. These modified techniques allow for faster recuperation and minimize the loss of nipple sensation.

Recovery Following a Breast Lift

Breast lifts are safe when performed by a qualified surgeon. Patients rarely experience complications; however, it is important to follow the surgeon's post-operative care instructions. Minor discomfort is to be expected; however, the doctor will prescribe medications to alleviate any post-operative pain. Patients should limit their movement, avoid strenuous activity, and rest as much as possible following the surgery. Immediately following the procedure, the breasts are bandaged to protect the incisions and limit breast movement. It is important to follow the doctor's directions for caring for the incisions to ensure proper healing and to reduce the chance of infection. Once the incisions are sufficiently healed, the surgeon will remove the bandages and prescribe a specialized bra designed to protect and support the breasts. The bra is typically worn for several weeks. The doctor will determine when it is appropriate to return to work and other daily activities.

Women considering a breast lift should schedule a consultation with a qualified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. Dr. Jimmy Firouz has extensive experience in helping patients choose the procedure and technique that will provide the most natural results. Dr. Firouz takes the time to address all of his patient's concerns prior to the procedure and provides post-surgical follow-up to ensure the best possible results.

Contact Dr. Jimmy Firouz’s Beverly Hills office today at 310-274-4321 to schedule your consultation.

To learn more about Breast Lift, call - 310-274-4321 to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Firouz.

How Can We Help?

If you would like to request an appointment or have any questions about our practice and procedures, please call us at (310) 274-4321 or request an appointment by filling out the form below.

Breast Lift Augmentation Procedure FAQs

No matter the reasons a patient decides to undergo a Beverly Hills breast lift, it is important to fully understand the procedure and all that it entails. At your initial consultation with Dr. Firouz, he will discuss any and all concerns you may have regarding this procedure. Listed below are some of the more common frequently asked breast lift questions that Dr. Firouz hears often.

  • Q: Will insurance cover my breast lift?

    A: The answer to this questions varies. While it is possible that your insurance may cover a portion of your procedure, breast lifts are generally viewed as cosmetic plastic surgery resulting in minimal to no insurance help. It is a good idea to submit your claim to your insurance company if you are serious about undergoing a breast lift, in case it may be covered or applied toward your deductible.
  • Q: Am I a good candidate for a Beverly Hills breast lift?

    A: Depending on your age, overall health, and desires goals by opting to undergo a breast lift surgery,  you may be a candidate for this procedure. Many factors are evaluated prior to determining whether you are a suitable candidate. During your initial consultation with double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jimmy Firouz, options for a surgery best suited for your needs will be discussed.
  • Q: Can I breast feed after a breast lift?

    A: Yes, it is absolutely safe to breast feed after a breast lift. However, breast feeding immediately following a breast lift or in the coming months is not recommended, as your body will need ample time to heal and adjust.
  • Q: How long will a breast lift last?

    A: As a general rule of thumb, breast lifts tend to last anywhere from several years to fifteen years. Because each individual who undergoes a breast lift is unique, it is impossible to put an exact time frame on how long your breast lift will last. Dr. Firouz is an expert in the performance of breast lift surgeries and his patients often return to him for other cosmetic surgery needs later on down the road.
  • Q: Can a breast lift cause me to lose sensation in my nipples?

    A: While there is some risk associated with breast lift surgery and a loss of sensation in the nipples, Dr. Firouz takes the proper steps necessary to ensure the safety of his clients at all times. Plastic surgeon Dr. Firouz will carefully and meticulously perform your breast lift at his Beverly Hills office with the help of an experienced surgical team and staff.
  • Q: What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?

    A: A breast lift is a procedure performed when a person wishes to raise their breasts or return them to their once youthful appearance. A breast reduction is performed when a person is having health issues due to their breasts, including back pain, shoulder pain, and an overall low quality of life.
  • Q: Is a breast lift also known as mastopexy a painful procedure?

    A: Mastopexy is actually a relatively painless procedure because it is performed under anesthesia. During the surgery, the elevation, contour and size of the breasts will be altered to eliminate the appearance of sagging breasts. There will be slight discomfort upon waking and in the weeks following your surgery, but your overall comfort level should return to normal in no time. To aid in the recovery process, it’s important to follow Dr. Firouz’s post care regimen.
  • Q: Are there any risks involved with Beverly Hills breast lift surgery?

    A: As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks that are involved. However, Dr. Firouz’s extensive background and training as a plastic surgeon allow clients to feel at ease knowing that he will take extremely good care of them and deliver optimal cosmetic results. Patients can expect bruising, mild discomfort, and some swelling in the weeks following the procedure.
  • Q: Who should perform a breast lift?

    A: If you’re considering undergoing a breast lift, it’s important to select a board-certified plastic surgeon breast expert like Dr. Firouz that you can trust. Beverly Hills Breast Lift specialist Dr. Firouz has years of experience in providing clients with the best cosmetic and aesthetic results in accordance with each patient's individual goals. With his impressive background in academics, it is no wonder that Dr. Firouz is a leading and highly respected plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
  • Q: How long does a breast lift take to perform?

    A: Because each patient of Dr. Jimmy Firouz is unique, there isn’t a set time limit on how long the procedure should take. As a general rule of thumb, most Beverly Hills breast lifts take anywhere from 1-3 hours to complete.

Questions Asked by Our Patients.

Dr. Firouz often answers questions from people like you on RealSelf.com. We thought these Breast Lift questions and answers might be useful for you as well!

  • Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?

    I am 5’6 and 140 pounds. My breasts are currently a 32/34DDD and I really want to get a breast lift. my shoulders always hurt from my breasts hunching over because they are big. My mom said that I can get a breast reduction with a breast lift but, I don’t really want the breast reduction because I think I will regret it. I like my breasts but I just want them to sit higher.

    A: This is a great question. It sounds like aesthetically your goal is to lift your breasts without reducing the size. However, if you also want to reduce pain from large breasts, a breast reduction is what will help achieve that concern. To give you the best advice possible, I would need to examine you in person. At this point I think the best thing you could do is consult in person with a board certified plastic surgeon who can explain all of your options to you. That way you know what is realistic, and from their you can make the best decision for you.

  • Does breast lift surgery includes areola reduction?

    My breast are sagging and my nipples pointing downwards after dramatic weight loss. My areola has become large due to the sagging. Can breast lift surgery help the case or I have to go for a different surgery?

    A: You can absolutely reduce the size of your areola at the same time as your breast lift procedure. Most breast lift patients do require an areola reduction so that the appearance of the breasts after surgery is as pleasing as possible. Your next step should be consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon in-person so that he/she can examine you and give you a realistic idea of what sort of aesthetic results you can expect after breast lift surgery with areola reduction. Good luck!

  • Lifting babies after breast lift. And returning to work.

    I am currently on maternity leave and was hoping to get a breast lift done before I go back to work. I have a physical job so I need to be 100% healed when I go back. I also have a 3 month old and a 2 year old. How long will I have to wait to pick up baby after the surgery and how long should I expect before I can return to work? I am a 36DD. Thank you.

    A: It sounds like you have your hands full with 2 little kids and a physical job, so it is very important that you do give your body adequate time to heel so you do not experience any complications. If you are breast feeding, it is important to note that you should not undergo any breast surgery until at least 3 months after you stop breast feeding. In terms of lifting heavy objects/your children after a breast lift, I tell my patients to wait at least 4 – 6 weeks to resume heavy lifting. However, every surgeon has different requirements and you should clarify with your surgeon what they recommend/allow. You can obviously return to work before 4 – 6 weeks, but you will not be able to do the heavy lifting at work until that point.

  • Which would you suggest, as I am not truly sure of the difference. Breast lift, augmentation or implants?

    I believe I am an A/B cup. I’m small in size. Just not comfortable anymore with my breast after nursing both of my daughters. I would truly like for them to be fuller and lifted, of course a more natural look as well. Also, as shown in the photo, one of my nipples seem to be in-caved; is there anything that can be done to make it more like the other? Please advise.

    A: Thank you for your question and for providing a picture. After looking at your pictures, it looks like you would benefit most from a breast lift + augmentation with breast implants. The breast lift will raise the sagging breasts and the breast implants will provide you with the fullness you desire. A breast lift alone will not give you the breast fullness or replenished volume that you mentioned you are looking for. The implants might help with the appearance of your nipple, and if not, this can also be surgically addressed. Your next step should be having an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast enhancement procedures so that you can be examined in person and given the most realistic treatment plan. Best of luck!

  • Do I have to have a lift with my reduction from such a large size and does it affect breastfeeding?

    I have 630cc HP saline implants. It took me from a very small b cup to a full DD. I have now had one child and can’t fathom being pregnant again with such large breasts so I need to go smaller. I am concerned getting a lift before would be a waste since my skin would get stretched during pregnancy and worried about how lift affects breastfeeding. Id like to go down to small-mid C cup that doesn’t protrude quite as much as what I have. i do have stretch marks from pregnancy on my breasts.

    A: While you could have surgery now, the probability that you would want/need to have another breast lift after any future pregnancies is very high. Like you experienced with your first pregnancy and breast feeding, any future pregnancies will cause the breast tissue to stretch and sag. So if you go through another surgery now and become pregnant again later, you will likely be unhappy with the appearance of your breasts again and want to undergo another surgery. With that said, I generally tell my patients to wait until they are done having children to have the surgery. So if you can, wait until you are done having more children. I know it can be very hard to wait, but almost all of my patients who do decide to wait tell me they are so happy they did. Best of luck!

  • Any advice at all or a direction I should start with?

    Hi I’ve hated my breasts for forever I’ve always had huge aero las and not really any nipple unless they are hard then they shrivle up small but I also have “brail” nipples too it’s like small clogged white not pimples but kind of around them I’ve had one baby and it was difficult to breast feed I’m 22 and I wear a 34d.

    A: Thank you for sharing your question and picture. A breast lift with areola reduction can give you beautiful results. However, the lift will just reposition and reshape your breasts, but not make them fuller.  If you want fuller breasts as well, then you will need breast implants as well. Since you did not mention in your question if that was something you were looking for I just wanted to mention that a lift alone, or a lift with implants are both possible options. Your next step should be to schedule an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon so that he/she can examine you in person and speak with you more about your goals for breast surgery so that you can determine which type of surgical procedure(s) are best for you. Good luck!