You don’t have to live with sagging breasts. Breast lift surgery can repair loss of fullness and skin stretch caused by age, pregnancy, or weight loss. Allow Dr. Daniel Brown to sculpt a beautiful, shapely bust for you. Dr. Brown is highly skilled at performing both a traditional breast lift and a breast lift using the Bellesoma Method. Read more about the advanced Bellesoma Method here .
Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Brown in Carmel Valley or La Jolla in order to determine the best procedure for you!
WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT?
Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is a procedure designed lift a woman’s breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and natural aging can all cause breasts to droop or become pendulous. Breast lifts are designed to counter these effects. A woman’s breasts can return to their youthful shape and height with the help of a skilled surgeon like Dr. Brown .
IDEAL CANDIDATES
There are lots of reasons why a woman may want to change her breast shape or appearance. The natural aging or pregnancy process can cause the skin around the breasts to stretch, creating a saggy appearance. Shaping and lifting the breasts can be accomplished through breast lift surgery or mastopexy.
Schedule a consultation at our La Jolla or Carmel Valley offices today, and Dr. Brown will help you decide if you’re a good candidate for surgery.
DR. BROWN FEATURED IN BOSS MAGAZINE
“It is vitally important that patients choose a plastic surgeon who has the ability to truly understand the look that they want, yet also advises with an expert opinion and ensures that both parties have the same result in mind before the procedure. Understanding and implementing these concepts is why Dr Brown is one of the top trusted plastic surgeons in the United States; he actively listens to his patients and consistently delivers attractive and natural results.”
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CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD CANDIDATE
Breast sagging, also referred to ptosis, doesn’t look the same on every woman. To help doctors and patients categorize the degrees of ptosis, a rating system has been created.
A good candidate to see Dr. Brown is in strong physical health and isn’t currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are unsatisfied with the shape or appearance of their breasts and have realistic goals may be candidates. Many of these women may have undergone major weight loss and want to get rid of the excess skin on the breasts. Also, older women who may also have sagging breast due to the natural aging process may want to get a breast lift to take years off of their appearance.
DEGREES OF PTOSIS
Level 1: Mild Sagging – The patient’s areolas are level with her breast crease. However, breast tissue is still apparent below the areolas.
Level 2: Moderate sagging – The patient’s areolas have fallen below her breast crease, but she retains visible breast tissue below the areolas.
Level 3: Significant sagging – The Patient’s areolas hang below her breast crease, and she has no visible breast tissue below the areolas.
Pseudoptosis – The patient’s areolas remain above her breast crease, but most of her breast tissue hangs below the crease.
METHODS USED
CIRCUMAREOLAR TECHNIQUE
This is a good option for women who are only experiencing a minor amount of sagging. The breast lift is performed by making small incisions around the areola (circumareolar). A lot of women like this technique because the incision scars are naturally blurred by the border between the areola and the breasts. Dr. Brown can also use these incisions to reduce the size of the areola. Women who are experiencing moderate to severe sagging, however, will require a greater lift.
VERTICAL TECHNIQUE
Also called the “Lollipop” technique, this technique involves the surgeon making one incision around the entire areola and one incision from the base of the breast to the bottom of the areola. The extra incision gives the surgeon more room to manipulate the patient’s tissue.
ANCHOR TECHNIQUE
This is typically the best technique for women experiencing level 3 ptosis. In addition to a circumferential and vertical areola incision, the surgeon makes a third incision along the breast crease, creating an anchor shape. This allows for ample lifting and reshaping. Dr. Brown will then shape the breasts to create a visually-pleasing, proportional bust.
CONSULTATION
The first step toward having beautiful, youthfully lifted breasts is to schedule a consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in La Jolla and Carmel Valley. When you arrive for your consultation, Dr. Brown will perform an initial examination to determine which surgical method would best suit your body. A personalized surgical plan will be created to help you achieve the bust that you desire.
Having reasonable goals is important. Surgery can help boost your confidence, but it’s not a miracle cure. It can’t endow you with self-esteem. You’ll be able to view before and after pictures to help you get a good idea of what your results will be, but you won’t be able to see exactly what your new bust will look until you have the procedure performed.
PREPARATION
Your surgical plan is unique to you, but there are some guidelines that we ask all patients to follow. You’re asked not smoke for at least three weeks leading up to your surgery date. We also ask that you avoid ingesting herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory medication during the same time-frame. It’s possible that Dr. Brown will request a mammogram before your surgery.
Postoperative breast lift patients are forbidden from driving themselves for a couple of days after their surgery, so it’s important to make sure that you have reliable transportation home. You must also make sure to visit the pharmacy the day before your procedure. Your doctor will prescribe medications that you’ll need to take immediately after surgery.
Prepare your home by placing items you know you’ll need (medications, books, etc.) at counter-level before the procedure. During your recovery period, the range of motion in your arm will be limited. You might have trouble raising your arm above your head.
PROCEDURE PROCESS
Depending on which procedure you chose, incisions are made around the areola and sometimes along the breast crease as well. Dr. Brown uses a minimally-invasive technique to reduce scarring.
Your surgery will begin with our highly trained medical staff marking the appropriate incision points on your breasts. These will help guide Dr. Brown when he begins the procedure. Next, anesthesia is administered. He then shapes the breasts into the desired, proportional shape. Excess skin and tissue are excised. One the perfect bust is created, the incisions are closed.
Breast lift surgeries are outpatient procedures, meaning that you won’t have to stay at the hospital overnight. The entire procedures takes about 1.5-2.5 hours to complete.
ANCILLARY PROCEDURES
BELLESOMA BREAST LIFT
Dr. Brown is one of only a handful of doctors in the world who perform this procedure. The Bellesoma breast lift prevents vertical scaring around the breast for even more natural looking results. All the incisions are hidden in the breast crease around the nipples.
BELLESOMA BREAST REDUCTION
While you are considering getting a breast lift, you may also want to consider a breast reduction. Dr. Brown offers the Bellesoma Breast Reduction. This procedure allows you to reduce your breast size without the need for a vertical incision.
BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation surgery is commonly paired with breast lifts. Patients who desire a shapely, voluptuous bust should consider having both procedures performed at the same time. Patients who have breast augmentations have saline or silicone filled implants inserted into their breasts, giving them a rounder, larger shape. Patients have absolute control over the ultimate size of their bust, as there are many different implant options to choose from.
TUMMY TUCK
Another popular procedure among breast list patients is a tummy tuck . The procedure is perfect for women who want to sculpt their figures and trim their midsections. A tummy tuck is a wonderful way define your stomach area. Sometimes exercise isn’t enough. If you’re not getting the results you want at the gym, a tummy tuck might help.
LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction is another great option for women looking to sculpt and contour their bodies. The procedure can be performed at the same time as a breast lift and a tummy tuck. It’s designed to attack stubborn fat stores that won’t respond to diet and exercise. Liposuction procedures can be performed almost anywhere on the body. A lot of women get liposuction on their thighs and their waists.
RECOVERY
After Dr. Brown finishes your breast lift surgery, you will be transported to a recovery room where you will slowly and comfortable wake from the anesthesia. You’ll be in the in care of our friendly, highly skilled nursing staff. Your breasts will be wrapped in a specialized compression garment or surgical bra. It’s important that you leave it on at all times until Dr. Brown says that you can take it off. Patients sometimes require drains.
A nurse will provide you with special instructions if they’re necessary in your case. Some bruising and swelling after surgery are normal. Dr. Brown will prescribe pain medication to help give you relief. While you’re recovering, please don’t sleep on your stomach. Keeping your head and back slightly elevated is recommended to help reduce swelling. You should be able to return to work after a few days. However, you should refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous physical activities for at least a month after your surgery or until Dr. Brown says otherwise. You’ll have a follow-up visit at the clinic to make sure you’re healing properly.
RESULTS
After the swelling and bruising have gone down, you’ll be able to see what your new breasts look like. Surgery scars fade naturally over time and can be further reduced with good self-care. Your bust will be beautifully proportional.
PRICING
The cost of a breast lift surgery will be based on your particular case, and the surgical plan that is created by Dr. Brown will be completely personalized to you. Your needs won’t be the same as another patient’s. The cost of your breast lift procedure will depend on your body and if you are choosing to have additional treatments performed.
After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a free estimate for your breast lift procedure. Our office will gladly discuss payment arrangements with you and help answer any additional questions you may have. Please call us at (619) 461-1500 to request a consultation .