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Engineered Aesthetics

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift, or mastopexy, corrects sagging caused by aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. It elevates the breasts and repositions nipples for a more youthful look. It can be done alone or with other breast procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, fat transfer breast augmentation, etc.

dark haired woman posing in a purple top

How much does a breast lift cost?

A breast lift in Las Vegas can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 when factoring in extra fees. 

Some of the costs associated with a breast lift include:

  • Payments to the surgeon
  • Anesthesia
  • Facility fees
  • Medical testing
  • Prescription medications

The patient’s location (city or state of residence) can also affect the overall cost of the procedure.

Breast Lift Before & After Photos

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift procedure?

Generally speaking, ideal candidates for a breast lift in Las Vegas:

  • Are bothered by their low-hanging or downward-pointing nipples
  • Are experiencing breast sagging below the inframammary fold
  • Are bothered by an elongated, stretched, or flattened appearance in their breasts
  • Are noticing asymmetry in their breasts

As with any surgical procedure, it is vital that patients be in good mental health. Beyond that, being a non-smoker is ideal, and smokers should refrain from smoking for several weeks leading up to the procedure. Having realistic expectations for the procedure is also an important consideration. 

Dr. Engineer will take the time to fully understand your goals and consider your intentions in order to develop the best, safest, and most effective surgical plan possible for you.

What are the benefits of a breast lift?

  • Creates a perkier, more aesthetically-pleasing body profile
  • Removes excess skin from the bust
  • Firms up the breast tissue in the surrounding area
  • Raises the nipples and areolas to a better position
  • Results in a more even and symmetrical bust
  • Makes clothes such as tops, swimwear, bras, and dresses fit better
  • Boosts self-confidence
woman posing in black lacey bra

Incision Options

With a breast lift procedure, there are three typical options for incision placement, and Dr. Engineer will make a selection based on the extent of the patient’s breast ptosis, their scarring, and their individual aesthetic goals.

The Anchor Lift

With the anchor lift, an incision is made around the areola, heading down towards the breast crease and then going flush with the inframammary fold. This formation resembles an upside-down “T” or anchor. This technique is designed for patients that are dealing with advanced breast ptosis and is quite often performed in tandem with a breast reduction procedure.

The Lollipop Lift

With a lollipop lift, an incision is made that encircles the nipple. This incision then heads down vertically toward the breast crease, resembling the shape of a lollipop. This incision comes with less scarring than a traditional anchor incision approach, but it is better at treating patients with a moderate amount of breast ptosis rather than a more significant amount. 

The Circumareolar Lift (Benelli Lift)

The circumareolar breast lift consists of an incision made in a circular pattern around the area of the areola. This technique is well-suited for patients who only have minor breast sagging and who still have relatively good skin elasticity.  With this approach, scarring is usually easily-hidden in the darker pigments of the central breast region.

What is the procedure like?

A mastopexy can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete and is usually performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. During the procedure, the physician will remove excess skin from the treatment area to create a breast appearance that is perkier and more youthful. Generally, one of three incision plans (anchor, lollipop, or circumareolar) is selected based on the patient’s situation and their degree of sagging.

Patients dealing with enlarged areolas will be happy to know that this can be treated as a part of the procedure. Excess skin around the perimeter of the areola can be extracted, and the nipples can be repositioned to a more appealing position. Once these changes have been made, the incisions are closed with fine sutures. 

Combining breast procedures

In some cases, a breast lift alone may not be enough to attain the patient’s desired look. In these situations, the patients will be recommended to consider combining breast procedures in order to address all of the issues that they want to see improve. Combined procedures can achieve results that are balanced, feminine, and complementary to the patient’s unique frame.

Combining breast surgeries is the best and fastest way to address multiple issues with the bust in just one procedure. That said, it is not always needed or even desirable. The best way to determine if a combined procedure will be needed is for the patient to bring up all of their concerns during the consultation.

Breast lift with implants

One of the most common breast procedure combinations is a breast lift with augmentation

While a breast augmentation procedure can increase the size and fullness of the patient’s breasts, these techniques cannot address other issues, such as a large amount of excess skin or sagging tissues, on their own. Similarly, a breast lift is able to create a more youthful look by raising the breasts, but this treatment by itself is unable to increase breast volume substantially. Combining the two procedures allows for patients to receive a wide array of benefits, including:

  • Enhanced breast size and volume
  • A younger-looking breast position on the chest wall
  • Improved breast form and projection
  • Enhanced symmetry of the breasts
  • Firmer, younger-looking breasts
woman posing in green one piece swimsuit

What is the difference between a breast lift and breast reduction?

The commonalities between a breast lift and a breast reduction are that they both affect the shape of the breast, and they both involve extracting excess skin and tissue. However, the primary difference between these treatments is that a breast lift doesn't cause a change of size in the breasts. Following a breast lift procedure, the breasts will not be any larger or smaller, but a breast reduction will remove a higher amount of internal fat and tissue, significantly reducing both the size and weight of the breasts

What will my recovery entail?

Las Vegas breast lift patients can usually return home on the same day of their procedure, provided they are accompanied by someone (such as a friend or family member) who can stay with them for the first one to two days. Upon release, patients will receive a detailed list of post-procedure instructions, a compression garment that will help mitigate any swelling in the chest, and prescription pain medications that will ensure the patient has a comfortable and speedy recovery. 

It is normal for patients to experience some soreness and tiredness after the surgery. Nonetheless, patients are usually able to resume their regular activities within the first week of the recovery process. However, patients should refrain from all forms of strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or physical exertion for at least 3 to 6 weeks unless otherwise recommended by the physician. They are also instructed to wear a support bra that doesn’t have an underwire throughout this period of time. For the first six weeks, scars typically appear pink and firm but will slowly fade away over time. The patient’s healing process will be monitored to ensure an easy, quick recovery.

How long will the results last?

When patients start thinking about surgery, one of their primary concerns is the longevity of results. Generally speaking, patients are typically able to enjoy the remarkable results of a breast lift for approximately 10 to 15 years. That said, there are many women who end up not needing a revision for much longer than that. 

As with any surgical procedure, it is vital to have pragmatic expectations for the results of a breast lift procedure and understand that factors such as the aging process and the force of gravity can affect the position of the breasts in the future. While these are natural forces that are beyond our control, there are some actions that can be taken to prolong the results of a breast lift, such as:

  • Maintain a healthy weight (avoiding all weight fluctuations)
  • Refrain from receiving the treatment until the patient is done having children
  • Continue to wear supportive bras as often as possible
  • Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
  • Refrain from smoking
Engineered Aesthetics

Choosing the best surgery possible

Fellowship-trained Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nitin J. Engineer is the founder, CEO, and principal surgeon at Engineered Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Institute. A specialist in aesthetic, reconstructive, hand, and microvascular surgery, his institute is committed to delivering the most excellent care possible to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. 

His lengthy educational and training background includes an undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Medicine from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, a General Surgery internship at the University of Washington in Seattle, and a General Surgery residency and a fellowship in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at Southern Illinois University.

Above all, he values the connections he makes with his patients and works tirelessly to ensure each and every one of them leaves his office looking and feeling their best. 

Dr. Engingeer - Plastic Surgeon in Las Vegas

Breast Lift FAQs

Is there any pain?

Patients typically describe feeling more ‘discomfort’ than pain when receiving a breast lift.

Will there be scarring?

There is usually some scarring in the areas where tissue is removed, but a skilled surgeon will know where to make incisions to keep these as hidden as possible.

What type of anesthesia is used?

Breast lift surgery can be performed either with IV sedation and local anesthesia or with general anesthesia.

Will I be able to breastfeed after a breast lift procedure?

As this procedure does not disturb the mammary glands, women are usually able to breastfeed without any issues following the procedure.

What causes sagging of the breasts?

Hormone changes, pregnancy, and changes in weight are just a few of the factors that can contribute to breast sagging.

Will I still have to wear a bra after a breast lift?

Patients must wear supportive bras after their surgery to ensure that results last as long as possible.

When will the breasts settle into place after the procedure?

It usually takes about six months for the final results of a breast lift to settle in.

How can I maintain the results?

Wearing a support bra, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise can all ensure that results remain for a long time.

What are my other options?

Techniques such as body contouring can potentially achieve similar results to a breast lift, albeit with much shorter-lasting results.

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