breast lift

Breast lift surgery in Atherton, Los Gatos, Palo Alto offered by board certified surgeon . Information on breast implants, recovery, cost, post op care, techniques and more.

Breast lifts elevate the breast and nipple, creating a more youthful appearance. The number and type of incisions depends on the extent of surgery needed by each patient. Dr. Struck's goal is to decrease the overall number of incisions, basing his decisions on the amount of correction required. Implants are often combined with a breast lift to minimize the need for incisions.

Breast ptosis or drooping of the breasts occurs after weight loss, breast feeding or simply from aging. The breast becomes longer and lower losing its youthful conical shape due to the loss over breast volume, stretching of the skin envelope containing the breast tissue, and stretching of small ligaments that hold the breasts high in the desired location. A breast lift is designed to lift the breasts and create a more youthful shape. This is done by removing excess skin, repositioning the breast tissue in a higher location on the chest, and in some cases either removing a small amount of breast tissue or adding an implant to create some upper fullness of the breasts. Breast lifting is truly and art form, with a variety of surgical options based on the extent of droop or ptosis of the breast and the breast volume. The two most common procedures used to correct breast ptosis are a vertical or "lollipop incision" lift and a traditional "boat anchor" shaped incision. The choice between the two is made based on the extent breast ptosis or drooping. In early cases with modest droop a vertical incision is chosen to lift the breast with less incisions. The only incisions used during a vertical lift go around the nipple and straight down like a lollipop centered around the nipple. If the breast needs more extensive lifting a boat anchor shaped incision will be used so that more skin can be removed and long low breasts can be shaped into perky conical shaped breasts. Cases involving extensive weight loss usually require a traditional lift. The added incision is along the lower aspect of the breast hidden by the breast itself. In many cases, a small breast implant is added, because this gives a more conical full shape to the breasts.

At your consultation, measurements will be make a number of measurements and discuss various surgical options the pluses and minuses of each procedure and the incision involved in each option. Based on the patients individual anatomy and the shape the patient desires, the patient and Dr Struck will come up with a surgical plan that will meet the desires of the patient. Good communication is critical to the development of a this surgical plan due to variety of procedures available and the unique anatomy and expectations of each patient, and the creation of a well conceived plan will allow Dr Struck to sculpt the patients breasts into the youthful shape that the patient desires with a minimal number of incisions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Facelifts

Q: Is the nipple removed during a breast lift?
A: This is the most common question I get during a breast lift consultation, and the answer is no. An incision is made around the nipple and areola, but the nipple and areola are left attached to the underlying breast tissue to leave the circulation to the nipple intact as well as the sensation.

Q: How long do the scars take to fade after a breast lift, and is there anything I can do to speed up the process of scar fading and maturation?
A: Scars fade over a period of 6 to 12 months. Fair skinned people usually see faster fading. The process is expedited by placing tapes on the incisions during the healing process, steroid injections into the scar in some cases, and the use of lasers to lighten the color of the scar as it is healing and remodeling.

Q: What is the simplest way that I can tell as a patient if I need a lollipop or a boat anchor incision?
A: If you need your nipple lifted more than 2 1/2 inches or the nipple is located at the very bottom of the breast essentially pointed down at the ground, I believe the results of a traditional boat anchor lift are better. The additional incision is well hidden below the breast, and the superior reshaping and sculpting of the breast using the traditional procedure in these cases is well worth the additional hidden incision.