Breast Lift Los Angeles

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About the procedure

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a plastic surgery procedure that is used to lift a patient’s breasts and give them a more youthful appearance. It's natural for breasts to sag as women age and have children.  In order to correct this for our Los Angeles breast lift patients, Dr. Hirsch will remove skin and rearrange the breast tissue so that the end result is a lifted, more youthful breast!  Every patient is different, and Dr. Hirsch will discuss his approach with you when you come to his office for your consultation in Sherman Oaks.  The incisions that are used for this procedure vary depending on the degree of sagging (or breast ptosis). For breasts that have minimal droop, an incision around the nipple can be used. As the drooping increases, a vertical extension below the nipple with occasionally a horizontal incision at the bottom of the breast may be used as well.

Although a breast lift procedure can correct a droopy, sagging breast, it usually does not add significant fullness to the breasts. For women who desire a breast lift but want to add volume, a breast augmentation with a lift procedure is performed where the breast is lifted and a breast implant is inserted as well. This combined procedure adds volume and fullness, and corrects the droopy breast. Dr. Hirsch usually performs this procedure in Los Angeles in one stage and as an outpatient procedure, so women can go home the same day as surgery.

Patients generally do not experience a significant amount of discomfort following a breast lift or breast augmentation. There may be some bruising around the breast and some tenderness as well, but in general patients will be able to resume normal daily activities by 1-2 weeks. During the first few weeks after surgery, Dr. Hirsch may ask you to wear a soft, supportive garment such as a sports bra while the incisions are healing.

For existing patients, please click here to download post op instructions.


Frequently asked questions about a breast lift:

What will my scars look like after a mastopexy?


There are several different possible scar appearances following a breast lift, depending on the type that is performed. In a circumareolar mastopexy, the scar is located around your areola and is minimally visible. This type of procedure is only used to correct minimal breast ptosis. In a circumvertical mastopexy, the scar is located around your areola and extends vertically down your breast. The circumvertical skin pattern is used to correct moderate amounts of breast ptosis. For larger amounts of skin ptosis, a Wise pattern mastopexy is used, which results in the anchor incision. This type of incision leaves a scar that goes around your areola, extends vertically down the breast, and the extends out to both sides in the inframammary fold under the breast. This may be performed with a limited scar under your breast, known as a short scar mastopexy, or with a more extensive scar under your breast for patients with a larger degree of breast ptosis.

What will happen to my nipple sensitivity after a breast lift procedure?


It is difficult to predict how your nipple sensitivity will change after a breast lift surgery because there are many different variations of the procedure. If you have larger breasts that are more droopy (ptotic), you will need a more extensive surgery to lift them, which could result in more changes to the nipple sensation. If an implant is used, nipple sensation can be further affected. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Hirsch will discuss the possible changes to your nipple sensation.

Is breast lift surgery covered by insurance?


Most major health insurance companies do not cover a breast lift surgery.

Will I be able to breast feed after surgery?


There is limited information in the literature about the ability of women to breastfeed following a breast lift, partly because there are so many different types of procedures that exist! Most women who want to breast feed after breast augmentation surgery are able to breastfeed, occasionally with formula supplementation.

When can I start exercising again after surgery?


You should definitely start walking the night of your surgery!  Generally you can move around normally and perform normal daily activities right away, but nothing strenuous or difficult until Dr. Hirsch gives you the ok - which takes 4-6 weeks after surgery.

When can I go back to work after surgery?


Depending on what type of work you do, you might be able to go back to work within the first week after your surgery.  If you work at a job that requires significant physical activity, you might need to be off work a bit longer.
 

Will I have drains after mastopexy?

In most cases, Dr. Hirsch does not use drains after a breast lift in Los Angeles.