Breast Lift 101: Everything You Need to Know

Your breasts can sag for many reasons. Whether this effect is caused by pregnancy, aging, or genetics, a breast lift can provide the shape and projection you desire. A breast lift can be performed alone or with other procedures to achieve a perky, youthful shape. 

Breast Lift 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you have ever been pregnant or lost weight, you may have experienced sagging breasts. Breasts can also sag because they are large and heavy. You may have breasts that naturally droop. A breast lift can correct all of these situations to restore your confidence and youthful breast position. 

*Individual Results May Vary

How to Tell if You Need a Breast Lift

Determining whether you need a breast lift, augmentation, or reduction can be difficult. The position of the areola can help you decide. If your areolas point downward instead of outward and sit below the crease under your breasts, a breast lift might be a good choice for you. 

You may also benefit from a breast lift if you are happy with your breast volume but wish it could return to where it used to be. If you are bothered by the size of your breasts, whether they are too large or too small, it may be best to combine a breast lift with another procedure. Combining a breast lift with a breast reduction or breast augmentation for example, can help to achieve your best results. 

What Happens During a Breast Lift?

Our board-certified plastic surgeons typically perform a breast lift in one of two ways. A standard breast lift is the more familiar one, but the California Breast Lift® also has several benefits. 

Standard Breast Lift

A standard breast lift in Newport Beach is a procedure that we perform quite often. As with all plastic surgery procedures, it is customized for each patient. This procedure may use an incision around the areola, one that runs from the areola to the breast crease, or one in the crease, depending on how much loose skin will be removed. Your surgeon will remove excess skin, lift the breasts, and reposition the areolas to achieve a youthful, balanced look. This procedure can correct significant sagging and provide a wonderful confidence boost.

California Breast Lift®

Our board-certified plastic surgeons offer the California Breast Lift® as an alternative procedure to traditional breast surgeries. This procedure, also called a natural breast lift, uses your own fat to enhance and boost your breasts. Your Newport Beach surgeon begins the procedure by collecting fat from elsewhere on your body using liposuction. They will process the fat and strategically add it to your breasts to increase volume and boost your shape where you need it most. 

Only a consultation can determine which procedure will provide your best results. We offer both virtual and in-person consultations for plastic surgery in Newport Beach. A standard breast lift may work better for those with loose skin and downward-pointing areolas, while a California Breast Lift® may work better for someone who can achieve the results they want with strategic shaping. 

Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is an option for most healthy adults who want perkier, more shapely breasts. Good candidates will have achievable goals. You may be a good candidate for a standard breast lift or California Breast Lift® depending on your current breast size, shape, and the amount of sagging. You may also be a candidate for other procedures in combination with your breast lift. Common procedures that are combined with a breast lift include breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast revision, and other mommy makeover procedures such as a tummy tuck or liposuction.  

What is Recovery Like After a Breast Lift?

Recovery from a standard breast lift often takes slightly longer than a California Breast Lift®. If you have a standard breast lift, you will receive a surgical bra to wear for a few weeks after surgery. Most patients can return to work within a week. However, you cannot lift anything heavy for several more weeks. 

If you have a California Breast Lift®, you may want to take a few days to a week to recover. You may have some soreness and swelling from the liposuction and fat transfer. Avoid laying in any position that puts pressure on your breasts until your fat cells have settled into place. 

As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, it’s important to closely follow the instructions from your surgeon to achieve the best results. 

Do I Need a Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?

The type of breast enhancement that is best for you depends on the changes you want to see in your breasts. A breast lift alone will restore perkier, more youthful breasts but will not change their size. If you want more breast volume, but your breasts sag, your surgeon may recommend combining breast augmentation with a breast lift. Breast augmentation alone may achieve your goals if you do not have issues with sagging. Our friendly and helpful team in Newport Beach can help you determine which breast procedure or combination of procedures is right for you.