Breast Lift

Accentuate Your Natural Breast Anatomy

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, medically known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts. This procedure involves removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipples to create a more youthful and uplifted appearance. Breast lifts are often performed to address the effects of aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or genetic factors that contribute to ptosis (drooping) of the breasts.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Choosing the right breast lifting technique depends on several factors:

Degree of Breast Sagging

The amount of sagging or ptosis you have will influence the technique. More severe sagging may require a technique with more extensive incisions.

Nipple Position

If your nipples are positioned lower on the breast due to sagging, a technique that involves repositioning the nipples may be necessary to achieve a more youthful appearance.

Breast Size & Shape

The size and shape of your breasts will also play a role in determining the most suitable technique. Larger breasts may require more extensive lifting techniques to achieve the desired results. If you want an increase in fullness, this may also require an addition of a breast implant.

Skin Quality

The elasticity and quality of your skin will affect how well it responds to the lifting procedure. If you have poor skin elasticity, a technique that involves more skin removal may be necessary to achieve long-lasting results.

Scarring Concerns

Different techniques result in varying degrees of visible scarring.

Common Breast Lift Techniques

There are several breast lifting techniques, each tailored to the patient’s unique needs and goals. During your consultation, I will discuss your goals and preferences, assess your anatomy, and determine the most appropriate technique for you to help you make an informed decision.

Significant Sagging & Volume

Anchor or Inverted-T Incision: Incision around the areola, vertically down the breast, and horizontally along the breast crease, resembling an anchor or inverted-T shape. Allows the most extensive tissue removal and reshaping.

Moderate Sagging & Volume

Lollipop or Vertical Incision: Incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease, resembling a lollipop shape. Can result in less scarring compared to the anchor incision.

Mild Sagging & Volume

Periareolar or Donut Incision: Incision made only around the edge of the areola. May not provide enough lift for significant ptosis. Scar remains only around the areola and is at increased risk for widening or thickening.

Minimal Sagging & Volume

A lifted look can be achieved with breast implants to take up the slack of the breast tissue and improve the lower pole contour without actually making incisions around the nipple-areola complex to lift it

Augmentation Mastopexy

Breast lift with augmentation

An augmentation mastopexy is a surgical procedure that combines breast augmentation (implant placement) with a breast lift (mastopexy) to address both sagging or drooping breasts and loss of volume. A mastopexy alone does not address cleavage and has a minimal effect on upper pole fullness. In patients who know that they want more volume, curves and shape, the addition of an implant will achieve this.

Women who experience this are generally those who have lost weight, who have less breast volume naturally, who have experienced the effects of gravity and time, and/or who have been pregnant or who have breastfed and/or pumped. I tell the mothers I work with that the breasts go through some irreversible changes during their journey, and I am here to help restore the breasts. An augmentation mastopexy is one of the procedures within the umbrella term “mommy makeover.”

About The Procedure

I perform a specialized augmentation mastopexy in a single stage where I place the breast implant completely under the pectoral muscle. Then, I lift and reshape the overlying nipple-areola complex, breast skin and tissue based on a superior pedicle to maximize blood flow to the nipple. The muscle provides long-lasting support of the lower pole and pocket without the need for additional foreign material such as a mesh. I tell all my patients that results just get better and better with time! There is minimal effect on muscle integrity and strength, and my patients are back to normal activity in 1-2 to weeks and exercise in 6 weeks. In rare situations, I may have to do this in two stages for safety and depending on patient anatomy. Also, if a patient is unsure about an implant, then I can always do the lift first and place an implant later. Patients have options when it comes to augmentation mastopexy.

Breast Implant Removal with Lift

Patients who have had implants for some time and no longer want implants

In some patients, the implants can be removed with some of the surrounding scar tissue (known as the breast capsule) and then their normal breast tissue and skin shrinks back down, almost to their pre-implant breast shape and size. However, in other patients who had larger implants or who now also have breast sagging or drooping over their implant, their breasts will not be fully reshaped with implant removal alone. These patients are candidates for breast implant removal AND a breast lift (mastopexy) in a single stage. I reposition the nipple-areolar complex and tighten the breast envelope after the implants are removed, so patients wake up feeling natural and restored.

Feel Like Yourself

Natural, Elegant Results

What defines excellence in a breast lift or enhancement? An artist’s eye for symmetry and balance. A delicate touch and skilled hand. I look forward to fulfill your dreams and wishes with natural, elegant results.

What To Expect

I pride myself on improving the size, shape, and/or appearance of the breasts while keeping a natural look and feel.

It is important to discuss your goals, concerns, and the potential risks and benefits with a board-certified plastic surgeon, and I am here to help you. I will evaluate your situation and provide personalized recommendations to help you achieve your desired breast appearance safely and effectively, whether through staged procedures or a combined augmentation mastopexy.

My key aspects when performing a breast lift

Proportional Enhancement

My goal is to provide a lift or an augmentation mastopexy that complements the patient’s body frame and proportions. This involves considering size, shapes, and profiles that are in balance with the patient’s chest width, breast width, and overall body shape.

Attention to Detail

I pay meticulous attention to details such as positioning, symmetry, and nipple-areolar complex placement. These factors play a crucial role in achieving a natural-looking outcome that blends seamlessly with the patient’s anatomy and lasts forever.

Patient-Centric Approach

Most importantly, I take into account the patient’s preferences, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. I work closely with my patients to understand their desired outcome and tailor the surgical plan so that it aligns with their expectations.

What is the right option for me?

I will guide you through this journey, educate you on the latest techniques, and support you during recovery.

The right option for a breast lift or augmentation is one that makes you feel comfortable and confident. The beauty of plastic surgery lies in its versatility—there’s no single way to achieve your goals. Whether it’s choosing between just a lift or an augmentation mastopexy, the decision is tailored to your expectations, vision, health, and anatomy. During your visit, we will explore all options to create a plan that fulfills your dreams.

Schedule Consultation

Turn your dreams into reality

Get in-depth personal consultation where I will review your goals, anatomy, and medical history to formulate a plan that is specific to you.

I am located in a beautiful and classic San Francisco neighborhood called Pacific Heights.

Directions: Apple | Google

Phone: 415-981-3911

Before & After

Natural & Elegant Results

Other Breast Procedures

Dr. Nguyen understands that any surgery or procedure can be a life-changing event that requires thoughtfulness on the part of both surgeon and patient, and she never takes this for granted.

Breast Augmentation

My goal is to provide an augmentation that complements the patient’s body frame and proportions. This involves selecting implant sizes, shapes, and profiles that are in balance with the patient’s chest width, breast width, and overall body shape.

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Breast Reduction

A breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure designed to reduce the size of your breasts by tightening the surrounding skin, lifting the nipple-areola complex, and remove breast tissue (or parenchyma).

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Breast Augmentation Revision

Breast augmentation revision surgery encompasses a wide range of issues from a previous breast augmentation. These can include malpositioned implants, contracture, unevenness, hardness, rippling, or lack of roundness. All can be effectively addressed with revision surgery.

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Nipple & Areola Reduction

Nipple reduction surgery is a sought-after procedure among individuals who were born with large nipples or areolas or due to changes like weight gain or piercings. These large nipples can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Many patients prefer the aesthetic of smaller nipples and less prominent areolas, as they are less noticeable under clothing. There is a simple, safe, and effective procedure to reduce your nipples to the size you desire.

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Tuberous Breast Correction

Tuberous breasts, also known as tubular breasts or constricted breasts, are a congenital condition where the breasts fail to develop fully during puberty. This condition is characterized by breasts that are elongated, narrow, and often have a constricted base, giving them a tubular or tube-like appearance. Tuberous breasts may also have a higher-than-normal breast crease and areola herniation, where the areolas protrude outward more than usual.

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My Approach

I am committed to the highest standards of patient care and plastic surgery. I believe in developing a strong relationship with my patients in order to best serve their needs and desires.

Furthemore, I am committed to the art and science of plastic surgery and believe that the best results come from a combination of technique, knowledge of patient anatomy, and artistry. My goal is to achieve excellence with a natural aesthetic and elegance while matching the patients’ desires to what is surgically possible so that they can radiate from the inside out. I look forward to meeting you.

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