Breast Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Oswego, Portland, OR and Woodburn, OR
A breast lift, also referred to as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to help lift and reposition the breast and nipples to achieve a more youthful-looking appearance. Breast lifts have become significantly popular, seeing a 30% increase in procedures performed between the years 2019 and 2022, with another 7% increase in procedures in the year 2023 alone. (1, 2)
If you are interested in restoring the lift and shape of your breasts, look no further than Dr. Quita Lopez!
Dr. Lopez is one of Oregon’s top cosmetic surgeons and the Medical Director of the Aesthetic Laser Center. With countless hours of experience and thousands of performed procedures, Dr. Lopez has established a reputation for providing attentive care and consistently stunning results.
To schedule a breast lift consultation, please contact us online or call (503) 353-0888, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.
Before and After Photos
Contents
About Breast Lifts
Breast lifts are a procedure designed to enhance the appearance of one’s chest by physically repositioning the breasts and nipples. A breast lift is often used to address breast ptosis, or sagging breast tissue. This can be caused by many factors such as pregnancy, aging, breastfeeding, weight loss, and more. (3) Some women may also experience drooping areola or downward-pointing nipples. Dr. Lopez can employ a variety of different techniques and methods to help restore each patient’s contours and confidence.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
Patients can experience a multitude of benefits after receiving a breast lift, including:
- Improved Breast Shape: Patients can enjoy a more desirable, youthful-looking breast shape and sculpting.
- Repositioned Nipples: A breast lift can reshape and reposition the areolas, improving one’s proportions.
- Enhanced Confidence: Women often report enhanced confidence and improved self-esteem after experiencing the results of their procedure.
- Improved Symmetry: By repositioning the breasts, patients can address any noticeable asymmetry.
- Lasting Results: The results of a breast lift can be enjoyed for many years.
- Customizable Treatment Options: Each procedure is fully tailored to help patients address their unique concerns.
To find out how you may benefit from a breast lift, please contact us online or call (503) 353-0888.
Candidates
Candidates for a breast lift are typically women interested in repositioning their breasts to address sagging or drooping breast tissue while also enhancing their overall figure. Those experiencing downward-pointing areolas or nipples are recommended for this procedure. Women interested in a breast lift should also have finished planning their family and no longer be breastfeeding. (3)
All candidates interested in a breast lift should be in good overall health with realistic expectations regarding the results of the procedure. Patients should also be nonsmokers or prepared to quit until fully healed. Dr. Lopez will determine each patient’s candidacy at their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
Each patient is asked to attend a personal consultation with Dr. Lopez before scheduling their breast lift. This meeting is not only a chance for our team to get to know each patient more personally, but also to help determine the best techniques available to help each patient. Dr. Lopez will first discuss the details of the procedure before learning more about your medical history, concerns, and ideal aesthetics.
With this information, she will then craft each patient’s personalized treatment plan, choosing the best methods for your needs. Personalized preparation and recovery guidelines will also be provided to patients as well as an all-inclusive quote. Patients are encouraged to openly ask questions as each consultation is time dedicated to their specific procedure.
To schedule your consultation at either our Lake Oswego or Woodburn office, please call (503) 353-0888 or contact us online.
Preparation
In preparation for their procedure, patients may be asked to undergo a medical evaluation or lab testing to ensure they are in good health. Patients will be asked to temporarily discontinue using medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties at least 2 weeks before their procedures. Additionally, patients who smoke should quit and refrain from use until they are fully recovered.
Dr. Lopez will provide personalized preparation instructions at each consultation. Instructions will vary between individuals, so each patient should ensure they follow every instruction to facilitate a smooth recovery and the best possible results.
Procedure
Each procedure will begin with the administration of anesthesia to ensure each patient feels completely relaxed. Multiple techniques can be used to achieve a breast lift, with the technique being predetermined at each patient’s consultation.
- Circumareolar Technique: The circumareolar technique, also known as a crescent mastopexy, is a technique that places the incision around the top or the entirety of the nipple-areolar complex. This technique is reserved for those with milder levels of ptosis, or sagging.
- Vertical Technique: The vertical incision can also be referred to as the keyhole or lollipop incision. This technique places one incision around the perimeter of the nipple-areola complex, with a second incision extending down to the inframammary fold, or lower breast crease.
- Anchor Technique: Also referred to as the inverted T pattern or Wise Pattern, this technique is reserved for cases where extensive lifting of the skin and tissue is required. (4) This technique places incisions similarly to the other two, with one bordering the areola and one extending downward towards the breast crease. However, this technique also creates a third incision that creates the shape of an anchor, following the crease beneath the breasts.
Once Dr. Lopez has created the incision, she will physically reposition the breasts on the chest. Any excess skin, fat, and tissue will be removed and if needed, the nipples will also be reshaped and repositioned to create a more cohesive, proportional appearance. The incisions will then be carefully closed and each patient will be left under the care of our expertly-trained team as the anesthesia wears off. Breast lifts are performed on an outpatient basis with the duration of each procedure lasting between 1-3 hours on average.
Recovery
Following their breast lift, patients will need to take time away from work and other social commitments to focus on their recovery. It is common to experience swelling or bruising in the treated area, but these effects will gradually dissipate on their own. Any discomfort may be managed through the use of pain medications.
Dr. Lopez will place a surgical bra on each patient as they heal to help minimize swelling, as well as to protect and maintain their new curves. Patients typically can return to work after 2-3 days but should continue to refrain from physical activities or other strenuous tasks for several weeks. Any further instructions will be provided by Dr. Lopez at each patient’s consultation.
Results
Patients will be able to see a significant difference immediately following their procedure, but the full results of their breast lift will become more noticeable as any residual swelling subsides. Patients will be able to enjoy a more youthful-looking contour and more proportional silhouette. Some women may initially feel that their breasts are slightly high, but as each patient heals, they will settle into a more natural placement on the chest as any scarring fades. The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, but patients will need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to preserve their effects.
Corresponding Procedures
Many procedures can be performed alongside a breast lift for more transformative results, the most popular being our breast augmentation and breast reduction procedures.
- Breast Augmentation: Breast augmentation is a procedure that is designed to improve the shape, size, and fullness of the breasts through the use of artificial implants. There are many different types of breast implants available, with the two main types being silicone and saline implants. This procedure can be performed for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes and is often combined with other breast procedures for enhanced results.
- Breast Reduction: Breast reduction is a procedure designed to remove excess fat, skin, and tissue from the breasts. There are many difficulties women can experience from having enlarged breasts, such as neck, back, and shoulder pain. Breast reduction can help alleviate any physical pain while simultaneously improving one’s overall figure, posture, and proportions.
To learn more about our other procedures, please visit the Aesthetic Laser Center blog!
Cost
The cost of each patient’s breast lift will vary depending on several factors, such as the surgical techniques used and whether or not any additional procedures are performed. Dr. Lopez will provide each patient with an all-inclusive quote at their consultation after she has crafted their personalized treatment plan.
The Aesthetic Laser Center is also partnered with multiple reputable lending companies to help qualifying patients finance the cost of their procedure.
To unlock the full cost of your procedure, please schedule your personal consultation by calling (503) 353-0888 or contacting us online.
FAQ
Will I be able to breastfeed after a breast lift?
Women can breastfeed after undergoing a breast lift; however, patients are strongly recommended to wait until any breastfeeding or family planning is finished. Any concerns should be discussed with Dr. Lopez at the consultation.
What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast augmentation?
A breast lift is a procedure that restores the shape of the breasts by physically repositioning them, while a breast augmentation alters the volume of the breasts through the use of artificial implants or fat grafting.
How long do the results of a breast lift last?
The results of a breast lift can last for many years, although aging, genetics, and each patient’s lifestyle habits can influence the results over time.
Will there be any scarring after my breast lift?
Patients will experience a certain degree of scarring, but Dr. Lopez uses discreet placements and advanced techniques to ensure any scarring is minimal and easily hideable.
Can my breast lift be combined with another procedure?
Yes, breast lifts can be combined with another procedure for more comprehensive results. We recommend either looking at our breast augmentation procedure or reaching out to a member of our team for more information.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Procedural Statistics Data Insights Partners: 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2022/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2022.pdf
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK610682/
- Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057