Cosmetic surgery procedure
Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have lost their youthful position after pregnancy, nursing, weight change, or aging, restoring a firmer, more lifted profile.
Breast Lift in Sherman Oaks and Pasadena
Pregnancy, nursing, weight fluctuations, and time itself all take a toll on the breasts. Skin stretches, tissue descends, and the youthful shape you remember gives way to sagging and deflation. A breast lift, known medically as mastopexy, restores what gravity has changed. At Cosmetic Doc, Dr. Husam Elias, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, performs breast lift surgery to raise, firm, and reshape the breasts so they sit naturally on your chest again.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift removes excess, stretched skin, reshapes the underlying breast tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola to a more youthful height. Dr. Elias matches the incision pattern to your degree of sagging:
- Periareolar lift: an incision around the edge of the areola, best for mild sagging and subtle repositioning.
- Lollipop lift: an incision around the areola plus a vertical line down to the breast fold, suited to moderate sagging and the most commonly used pattern.
- Anchor lift: adds a short incision along the breast fold, providing the most reshaping power for significant sagging or after major weight loss.
One important point: a lift restores position and shape, not volume. If your breasts also look deflated, especially in the upper half, pairing your lift with breast augmentation can restore fullness and lift in a single surgery. Dr. Elias will help you decide whether a lift alone will achieve your goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
A breast lift suits patients in good health whose breasts have descended, whose nipples point downward or sit below the crease beneath the breast, or whose skin has stretched after pregnancy, nursing, or weight loss. A simple test many patients recognize: if a pencil placed under the breast stays in place, there is likely enough descent that a lift would help.
Timing is worth planning. Future pregnancies and significant weight changes can stretch the tissue again, so most patients get the longest-lasting result by waiting until they are finished having children and their weight has been stable for several months. Nursing is often still possible afterward, though we discuss that individually since it cannot be guaranteed.
Smoking meaningfully increases the risk of poor healing and wider scars, so we ask patients to stop several weeks before and after surgery. Dr. Elias will review your health history at your consultation and confirm whether this is the right time.
What to Expect from Surgery and Recovery
Your breast lift is performed in our accredited surgical facilities, typically under general anesthesia with hospital-grade monitoring, and takes about two to three hours. Most patients return to desk work within about a week, wear a supportive surgical bra for several weeks, and hold off on heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for four to six weeks. Swelling settles over the following months as your new shape refines.
Many patients ask about scars, and it is a fair question. Incisions are placed where they are easiest to conceal, around the areola and within the natural lines of the breast. Scars are pink and noticeable at first, then typically fade to thin, pale lines over the course of a year. We guide you through scar care, including silicone therapy and sun protection, to help your incisions fade as well as possible. Most patients find the trade of discreet scars for a lifted, youthful shape well worth it.
Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation
If you miss the way your breasts used to sit, a consultation is the best place to start. Contact Cosmetic Doc to meet with Dr. Elias at our Sherman Oaks office at (818) 789-6622 or our Pasadena office at (626) 440-0099. We will build a plan that restores your shape and your confidence.
Questions patients ask
Breast Lift FAQs
Will a breast lift make my breasts smaller?
A lift removes excess skin, not significant breast tissue, so your volume stays essentially the same. Because the tissue is reshaped and raised, breasts often look perkier and more proportionate, and some patients feel they appear slightly smaller simply because they sit higher and firmer.
How bad are breast lift scars?
Incisions are placed around the areola and in the breast's natural lines, where they conceal well. Scars start out pink and visible, then typically fade into thin, pale lines over about a year. Consistent scar care and sun protection help them fade as much as possible.
Can I combine a breast lift with implants?
Yes, and it is a common combination. The lift restores position while an implant restores fullness, particularly in the upper breast. Combining both in one surgery means a single recovery. Dr. Elias will tell you honestly whether a lift alone can meet your goals.
How long do breast lift results last?
A breast lift resets the clock, and results commonly last many years. The breasts still age naturally, and future pregnancy or significant weight changes can affect your outcome. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing supportive bras helps preserve your lifted shape for the long term.
What is recovery like after a breast lift?
Most patients return to desk work in about a week and feel comfortable in daily activities within two. You will wear a supportive bra for several weeks and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for four to six weeks while your breasts heal and settle.
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Your Choice for Expert Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena & Sherman Oaks
Cosmetic Doc delivers board-certified cosmetic surgery with care, compassion, and artistry. From facelifts and rhinoplasty to body contouring, Dr. Husam Elias pairs dual MD/DMD training with an on-site AAAHC-accredited surgery center for the safest, most natural-looking results. Contact our Pasadena or Sherman Oaks office today to schedule your consultation.