Breast Lift Surgery near Beverly Hills, CA

While size is a concern for many women, the fullness, position and symmetry of your breasts are equally important to creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Over the years, changes to your body can cause the breasts to sag and lose their youthful shape. Dr. Hakimi understands that these changes aren’t easy to deal with and provides a lasting solution for restoring a perkier bust and helping you feel like yourself again: breast lift surgery.

Dr. Hakimi has distinguished himself as one of Beverly Hills’ leading plastic surgeons, specializing in awake liposuction and procedures of the breasts and body. With extensive training and a keen eye for detail, he expertly crafts each breast lift to meet the unique needs of his patients. His approach is both thoughtful and meticulous, ensuring that every aspect of the surgery — from the initial consultation to the final follow-up — is conducted with the utmost precision and care. This personalized attention helps achieve natural-looking results that enhance your physical appearance and help you reclaim a more youthful silhouette.

What It Is

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to enhance and reshape sagging breasts for a more youthful appearance. It can effectively improve the following concerns:

• Sagging or drooping breasts
• Downward-pointing nipples
• Stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• Uneven breasts

Why You Want It

Your breasts have begun to droop and sag due to pregnancy, aging or weight loss. A breast lift eliminates loose skin and tightens the remaining tissues to combat these effects and rejuvenate your figure.

How We Do It

At Hakimi Plastic Surgery, a breast lift is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Hakimi will determine if a breast lift is right for you before performing the surgery, which typically involves removing excess skin and tissue to create a perkier appearance. The exact technique used varies depending on your specific needs and aesthetic goals.

Recovery Time

Recovery from breast lift surgery varies with each patient, but most can expect to take it easy for at least a week after surgery. Strenuous activities can be resumed after four to six weeks.

In the center of Beverly Hills, Dr. Michael Hakimi utilizes his advanced training and surgical prowess to deliver exceptional results that are true to your vision. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and one of Southern California’s leading experts in body and breast procedures, Dr. Hakimi has developed a reputation for blending technical precision with an artistic touch. His methodical approach ensures that each procedure is tailored specifically to the individual, enhancing each patient’s natural contours while achieving their desired outcome.

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure designed to reshape a sagging bust to restore a perkier, more buoyant appearance. This procedure is designed to help women who have lost breast firmness or size due to factors like pregnancy, aging or weight fluctuations. Dr. Hakimi addresses these changes by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to eliminate drooping contours and achieve a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing look.

Over the years, significant advancements in breast lift techniques have greatly increased the success and popularity of this procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there has been a 70% increase in the number of breast lifts performed since 2000. At Hakimi Plastic Surgery, Dr. Hakimi utilizes the latest techniques and selects the best surgical approach for each patient, depending on the level of sagging present. His goal is to provide optimal results that align with your expectations and desired results.

There are four primary breast lift surgery techniques that can be used to reposition the breasts and produce firmer, more youthful contours. Dr. Hakimi will determine which technique is right for you depending on factors such as your breast shape and size, the amount of sagging (ptosis) present, the position of the nipples and areola and your aesthetic goals.

Full Mastopexy (Inverted T Lift or Anchor Lift)

A full mastopexy, also called an inverted T or anchor lift, is suitable for patients with significant sagging. This technique can remove a large amount of excess skin and reshape the breasts to create a more youthful appearance. A full lift can also reposition the areola to maintain a natural look and achieve a greater degree of correction than other techniques.

A full mastopexy involves three incisions: an anchor-shaped incision that encircles the areola, a crescent-shaped incision at the bottom fold of the breast, and a third incision that connects these two. This technique allows for greater access to the underlying breast tissue so that Dr. Hakimi can effectively reshape the breasts and easily reposition the nipple and areola.

Vertical Mastopexy (Lollipop Breast Lift)

A vertical mastopexy, also called a lollipop lift, is appropriate for correcting a moderate degree of sagging. It involves a circular incision that surrounds the areola, then extends down to the breast crease — creating a shape similar to that of a lollipop. With this technique, a donut-shaped piece of tissue is also excised from around the areola so the nipple can be reshaped or elevated, followed by the reattachment of residual breast tissue to the areola.

A vertical lift results in minimal scarring and is often recommended for women with mild to moderate breast ptosis. It is also ideal for performing a breast lift with or without implants. If implants are desired, they can be added without additional scarring or recovery time.

Benelli Breast Lift (Donut Mastopexy)

The donut or Benelli breast lift is a less invasive technique that can correct mild to moderate sagging. It is similar to a lollipop lift but without a vertical incision that runs down to the breast crease. Instead, this method uses a circular incision around the entire circumference of the areola that blends in seamlessly with pigmented areas, leaving patients with little to no visible scarring. Once the incision is made, Dr. Hakimi will remove sagging skin and tighten the remaining tissues to reposition the breasts to create newly lifted contours.

This breast lift technique is ideal for women who need minor adjustments to reach their aesthetic goals and want to reduce post-op scarring. It is also useful for patients who want a breast lift without implants to maintain a natural look, as this technique can reposition the breasts without significantly altering their appearance. The donut lift can also be performed alongside breast augmentation for more comprehensive results.

Crescent Lift (Nipple Lift)

The crescent lift is a suitable option for patients with mild breast sagging who need a minimal amount of lift and tissue contouring to achieve their goals. As the least-invasive breast lift option, this technique involves a crescent-shaped incision and the removal of a small amount of tissue above the areola. This can provide a minimal amount of lift while elevating the nipple to a more appropriate position, but it cannot reshape or resize the areola due to the incision’s short length and placement. The crescent or nipple lift is ideal for correcting nipple asymmetry, however, and is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.

If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your breasts, you might not know the best approach for achieving your goals. Many women come in to ask about breast augmentation, but after a private consultation, they discover that a breast lift is the better option. If you experience the following concerns, a breast lift with or without implants may be right for you:

• You are dissatisfied with drooping or sagging breasts
• Your breasts have lost volume after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding
• Your breasts and nipples point downward
• The skin of your breasts has become stretched
• Your breasts have a flattened, elongated or pendulous shape

Some common ways to determine if you have enough sagging to warrant a breast lift include the paper and pencil tests. The paper test involves placing a sheet of paper underneath the breast crease. If your nipple falls below the top edge of the paper, then you might need a breast lift. For the pencil test, place a pencil beneath your breast — if it stays in place, there is sagging present. While these tests aren’t conclusive, they can help reveal whether you have mild, moderate or severe ptosis. Following an at-home paper or pencil test, Dr. Hakimi can evaluate your breasts during a consultation to confirm if a breast lift is right for you.

If you are considering a breast lift, you should be in good overall health and at a stable weight. It is also recommended that women who undergo a breast lift do so after having children, as pregnancy can negatively impact your results. However, every woman’s body responds to pregnancy and childbirth differently, so you can discuss how your plans fit with your personal goals during your consultation with Dr. Hakimi. He will work with you to determine the best timing for your procedure to ensure your results are not only effective but also lasting.

A breast lift is performed using general anesthesia. The timeframe of your surgery will depend on the extent of correction needed, but it usually takes two hours or more to complete. The best technique for achieving your goals will be determined by Dr. Hakimi — he may choose the anchor lift, the lollipop incision or the donut lift. Incision placement and the approach used will be carefully planned to minimize visible scarring and help you achieve optimal results.

Once the incision is made, any loose or sagging skin is removed along with excess breast tissue and unwanted fat. The remaining skin is then tightened, and the breasts are positioned higher on the chest so they appear perkier and more youthful. In many cases, the size and shape of the areola are also altered to match the new placement of the breasts.

After your breasts have been sufficiently lifted and reshaped, the incisions will be closed and you’ll be taken to a recovery room as the effects of anesthesia wear off. Breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to return home a few hours after you wake up.

After the procedure, Dr. Hakimi will cover your incisions with bandages, which should remain in place for the next couple of days to ensure proper healing. Immediately after your surgery, it’s common to experience discomfort, chest tightness, swelling and bruising. These side effects will gradually diminish and can be effectively managed with rest and medication. You’ll also be fitted with a special compression bra to help with swelling and support your new breast contours.

You’ll be advised to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least a month after surgery, but you will be able to slowly resume light activities as it becomes comfortable to do so. Most patients are able to return to work within one week. Following your procedure, Dr. Hakimi will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and activity guidelines to ensure the best possible results, and will check on your progress during your follow-ups. However, if you have any questions or concerns between appointments, he strongly encourages you to contact his office — he is always happy to make sure you feel supported in your recovery.

Your initial results will be immediately noticeable after surgery and continue to improve as swelling subsides and your breasts settle into their new position. Your breasts will look and feel firmer and perkier sitting higher on your chest, and your new contours will complement your overall body shape. You can expect these improvements to be long-lasting, especially if you time your procedure well, maintain a stable weight and adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle.

A breast lift alone will not significantly affect the size of your breasts. However, some women do report a reduction in cup size after surgery due to the removal of excess skin, fat and tissue. A 2014 study published in the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) concluded that sagging breasts fill out a larger-than-actual cup size compared to more lifted breasts, and a reduction in cup size is more related to a better bra fit and patient comfort.

If breast size is a significant concern, breast implants can be added during your breast lift surgery or at a later date. Combining these two procedures can address multiple concerns at once and provide more comprehensive results to help you achieve your ideal proportions.

If you’re ready to restore youthful and perkier breast contours, Dr. Hakimi in Beverly Hills, California, can help. Don’t let sagging breasts negatively impact your self-esteem or prevent you from living life to the fullest — schedule your consultation and take the first step toward achieving the silhouette you’ve always wanted. Get started by calling Hakimi Plastic Surgery at 424-390-7300 or completing our online contact form to request an appointment today.

Does a breast lift result in visible scarring?
Like any surgical procedure that requires incisions, a breast lift will leave scars, but they will be strategically placed to limit visibility and should fade over time. Additionally, Dr. Hakimi further helps minimize scarring by using the least invasive technique possible to achieve your goals.

Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?
Most women find that they’re still able to breastfeed after undergoing a breast lift. However, this may be affected by certain factors, such as the extent of your procedure and the location of your incisions. If the ability to breastfeed is important to you, Dr. Hakimi can discuss how a breast lift may impact your ability to do so during your initial consultation.

Does a breast lift affect nipple sensation?
Nipple sensation may be affected in the days following your breast lift procedure, especially if your nipples and areola were repositioned. Hypersensitivity and numbness are commonly reported, but these side effects typically subside as your breasts heal. If you're concerned about any numbness or sensitivity you may be experiencing, don't hesitate to contact our office.

How long will my results last?
Breast lift results are considered to be long-lasting and you should not expect to see your breasts begin to sag again for many years. Many women enjoy their results for 10-15 years, although some patients go much longer before needing a revision. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding weight fluctuations and waiting to schedule surgery until after you’re done having children can prolong the results of your breast lift.

Do I need a breast lift with or without implants?
Whether you should undergo a breast lift, breast augmentation, or both will depend on your unique anatomy and desired results. For many patients, a breast lift alone can improve the fullness and appearance of the breasts without the need for implants. Dr. Hakimi will assess your needs and goals at your consultation to determine if you’d benefit more from a breast lift with implants or without. We offer both augmentations and lifts at our Beverly Hills office.

How much does a breast lift cost?
As you and Dr. Hakimi discuss your goals and create your unique treatment plan, the office will provide you with a cost estimate. A breast lift can significantly enhance your figure, so it's important to focus more on having an experienced plastic surgeon with years of training, like Dr. Hakimi, over price. However, to help make surgery more affordable, our office can help you explore medical financing options.