Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Scottsdale, AZ

Many women from all over the country have trusted our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tsujimura in Scottsdale, to perform breast lift surgery. These women, who no longer feel confident in the appearance of their sagging, drooping breasts, come to him for his unique lifting and tightening techniques. The effects of childbirth, breastfeeding, weight loss, or advanced age of the patient are all contributing factors in losing skin elasticity of the breasts. Scottsdale Plastic Surgeons can recreate the breasts of your youth with a cosmetic breast lift surgery and the results will last for many years. After the initial consultation, he may also recommend placing a breast implant at the same time of the mastopexy operation. Dr. Tsujimura carefully prepares the patient by measuring the area and tailoring the lift and pocket for the perfect implant, a procedure that some do not recommend or perform due to experience. The result is an artful, symmetric breast lift.

The type of incision used during a breast lift procedure will vary depending on the degree of lift needed and whether implants will be placed during the surgery. If implants are a part of the procedure, whether silicone or saline, they are placed under the pectoralis muscle. This method provides additional support and helps to keep the implants in a higher position for a longer period of time. In situations where a larger implant is desired, a supportive tissue matrix may be used as a sling to hold the implants in place. 

The degree of lift will determine how many incisions are needed and where they will be placed. Once the incisions are made, excess skin and tissue are removed and the nipple and areola are repositioned for a natural placement. Sensation to the nipple is kept intact. The sutures during this procedure are placed in multiple layers in the breast to secure and hold the breast up firmly. There are several incision placements to consider:

• Around the curvature of the areola (the tissue immediately surrounding the nipple)
• Vertically on the bottom of the areola, down to the crease under the breast
• Horizontally beneath the breast following the natural crease
• All of these incisions may be necessary for larger lifts

Breast lift surgery is performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) sedation and is considered an outpatient procedure. Operative time in most cases is between 3-4 hours. Recovery following a breast lift will vary depending on whether it was a lift only, or augment and lift or if it is in conjunction with other procedures. Most patients are able to resume their normal work schedules within a few days. Exercise will be a gradual process. Most women are able to resume their normal routines within 6-8 weeks. This includes running and weight training. 

Breast augmentation surgery with implants will help with size, but it will not help women if their breasts sag or droop downward past a certain point. Some doctors may use implants to help with sagging. With this approach, the immediate results may look better, but the additional weight causes the breasts to sag further. Some women find a breast lift is the only procedure they need to obtain the fullness they desire and determine implants aren’t necessary. During the consultation, we will discuss whether a breast lift, breast augmentation, or a combination of both will attain the best results.

During a breast lift procedure, the nipple and areola will be placed in a location on the breast that is natural and proportionate. The goal during this surgery is to reduce the size of the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) so it looks balanced with the new breast size and shape and the sensation is kept intact.

There is no way to avoid making the necessary incisions to complete a breast lift procedure. Therefore, some scarring will result from this procedure. Every effort is made during surgery to minimize scarring. Most women feel that the physical results following a breast lift procedure are worth the scars left behind. During the consultation, we will provide detailed post-operative scar care instructions to help minimize scars.

Breast reduction surgery may also be combined with a breast lift to help a patient achieve the size and shape she desires. This surgery is very similar to a lift, but with the added step of removing more breast tissue in conjunction with excess skin. More information on this procedure can be found on the breast reduction page.