Breast Lift
in Scottsdale, AZ
At Berardi Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, we provide cutting-edge breast lift procedures that enable women to restore the youthful contours of their breasts. Changes to their volume and position as a result of aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations can leave women feeling less than satisfied with their silhouette. Many women wish to maintain and even gain a firmer and more robust appearance, similar to the breasts from their youth, and may pursue a cosmetic breast lift surgery.
Our Scottsdale board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Berardi, is vastly experienced in breast surgery and has the surgical skill and the aesthetic eye to help women regain their youthful figure. He has helped countless women achieve their aesthetic goals through personalized, artful surgical care.
What Is a Mastopexy?
A breast lift procedure, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that lifts the patient's breasts and removes any excess skin and tissue that has resulted from sagging breasts. Dr. Berardi can perform breast lift surgery using one of three different incision types. The decision will be based on your individual body type, specific cosmetic goals, professional recommendations, and the degree of lift needed.
The incision will either be made around the areola alone, around the areola and extending down to the breast folds, or as an anchor incision, which encircles the areola and extends down and around the breast fold. The objective is to achieve a more uplifted, firmer look that enhances overall body proportion and a patient's confidence. A breast lift does not enlarge breasts. However, it can be combined with augmentation or reduction to achieve more complete results. Whenever possible, our surgeon tries to maintain a natural feeling and breastfeeding ability.
Breast Lift Techniques
At Berardi Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, we perform three different breast lift methods, created specifically to meet the patient’s level of sagging, breast type, and desired look:
Periareolar Lift
This surgical procedure involves a circular incision along the outer border of the areola. It is best suited for women who have minimal sagging with elastic skin. The periareolar lift elevates the nipple just a bit and firms the surrounding tissue. It also provides the potential for the reduction of areola size if a patient desires. Scars are well-concealed along a natural border of the areola and become invisible with time.
Vertical Lift (Lollipop Technique)
It involves two incisions, one encircling the areola and one vertically down to the breast crease. This option is an alternative for women with moderate sagging who require more than the periareolar method can provide. The vertical lift enables Dr. Berardi to reposition the nipple, eliminate excess skin, and reform the breast contour for a more youthful appearance, almost always without a horizontal scar.
Anchor Lift (Inverted-T Technique)
The anchor lift is the most extensive approach and involves significant sagging as well as skin laxity. It requires three incisions, including around the areola, vertically along the breast crease, and along the crease. This approach allows Dr. Berardi to have complete visibility for rearranging the breast, eliminating excess tissue, and bringing the nipple higher, more naturally. It’s best suited for women with significant breast volume loss, pregnancy-related changes, or extreme weight loss.
At the initial consultation, Dr. Berardi thoroughly evaluates the patient to decide on the best breast lift method and anesthesia requirements for them. He also takes photos for pre- and post-surgery comparisons and provides an approximate cost for the overall procedure.
Next, the patient is thoroughly checked for any health issues. Further, some tests, including a blood test, mammogram, and EKG, are ordered by our surgeon. These results are checked to see whether it would be safe for the patient to have an operating procedure. There are several medical contraindications for a breast lift, including:
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Multiple scars in the mammary glands
- Active or past breast cancer (oncology)
- Bleeding or clotting disorders
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Chronic or infectious illnesses
Initial Consultation and Testing
What Do I Need to Do to
Prepare for a Breast Lift?
Your preparations for breast enhancement will be the same as with any surgery. Dr. Berardi will have you stop taking blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and most supplements for one week prior to your surgery. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks prior to and after your procedure, as smoking constricts your blood vessels and impedes healing.
You’ll want to lay low for at least the first couple of days after your surgery, so you’ll want to create a comfy recovery nest with lots of entertainment options at your fingertips. You won’t want to sleep on your chest, so have pillows to help you stay mainly on your back for the first few days.
You will need to avoid any heavy lifting for about six weeks, so if you need to do any of that, you’ll need to do so before your surgery. This is an important part of your recovery, and to help minimize your scarring, these instructions need to be heeded completely.
You’ll also need to avoid reaching up for the first part of your recovery. In preparation for that, it’s wise to bring down items from the cupboard that you use frequently, placing them on the counter or a low shelf for easy access.
Breast Lift Procedure
Since it is an outpatient procedure, at the beginning of the surgery, the patient will be administered general anesthesia or IV sedation. Then, Dr. Berardi makes incisions on the breast, following the markings that were made just prior to the breast lift surgery. He then removes excess skin and relocates the nipple and areola to a higher position. He may also alter the size of the areola during the breast lift procedure, which in some women has stretched over time. In addition, he may make other adjustments to the tissue to reshape the breast and achieve natural effects.
add-on surgery:
Combining Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift
Dr. Berardi is also pleased to perform a breast lift and breast augmentation in Phoenix and Scottsdale. This procedure simultaneously lifts and adds volume to the breast for a comprehensive treatment and makeover. Since no two sets of breasts are identical, no two breast surgeries are exactly alike. In your breast lift consultation, Dr. Berardi will explain all of your options for adding a breast augmentation to your breast lift surgery, including the various types of advanced augmentation options, ideal breast size, and placement. We offer both silicone and saline breast implants as well as fat-transfer breast augmentations.
The type of breast augmentation you choose to add to your breast lift is based on a number of unique factors, including your cosmetic goals, personal preferences, and Dr. Berardi’s professional recommendations.
Silicone breast implants
Are filled with silicone gel, which feels similar to one’s natural breast tissue. If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older.
Saline breast implants
Consist of a saltwater solution, which is filled after the implant shell is placed. Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape and firm breasts and are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in women aged 18 or older.
Fat transfer breast augmentation
Also called fat grafting, essentially uses liposuction to take unwanted fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts. This is a breast augmentation option for women who are looking for a relatively smaller increase in size and would prefer more natural-looking results.
Patient Testimonial
"The staff was very professional & friendly, the consultation with Dr. Berardi was extremely thorough, and he provided a great deal of detailed information about the procedure and the expectations. I felt that everyone was interested in what I was looking for."
Recovering After Breast Lift Surgery
Recovery from breast lift surgery will vary from patient to patient. You should expect to feel mild pain or discomfort in the days following the procedure. Dr. Berardi will prescribe any necessary pain medication to promote your comfort and will also prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around the day after your surgery to promote circulation.
Some patients experience a loss of sensation in the nipple area. But this is temporary in a majority of the cases for the first few weeks. Swelling from breast lift surgery should subside within 10 to 14 days, and you may return to work typically within one week. Other strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for several weeks after breast lift surgery to promote a faster and safer recovery period.
Dr. Berardi and his staff will provide thorough post-operative breast lift instructions, including instructions for changing bandages, when you may resume certain activities, bathing, and follow-up appointments. They are available around the clock should any questions or concerns arise during the recovery period of your breast lift operation.
Schedule Your Consultation
Is Breast Lift Recovery Painful?
These are not overly painful recoveries. Dr. Berardi will provide a prescription for pain medication, and you’ll probably want to use this for the first two days or so. From there, pain decreases quickly, and most patients can switch to over-the-counter pain medication options.
The surgical bra we have you wear for the first few days really helps minimize any movement of your breasts. This helps with pain, as well as protecting your incisions.
It’s also important not to rush things with your recovery for about a month. This helps keep your incisions as thin as possible, but it also allows you to avoid unnecessary pain with breast movement.
What Can I Expect from the Results of My Breast Lift?
No one likes to see how the aging process affects our bodies, and this is exacerbated on a woman’s breasts if she has had children. This is because the combination of aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and gravity tends to accumulate more and more of the breast mass at the bottom of the breasts. This can create a pendulum-like appearance.
With this surgery, Dr. Berardi changes that, returning the breasts to a higher, younger position on the chest. Lifts are very satisfying procedures for women whose breasts have become pendulous. They can downsize enlarged areolae. They can take nipples that may be pointing downward and bring them back to their natural, higher position.
And if you opt to add augmentation, you’ll gain a curvier figure at the same time.
Are You a Breast Lift Candidate?
Breast lift surgery is ideal for women who are unhappy with changes to their breasts, including sagging, loss of firmness, and loss of volume. If you are nursing, you should wait to have the surgery in order to achieve the best possible results from treatment. Breast lift patients should be over the age of 18 and have fully developed breasts. It is also important that you have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of the procedure.
You may be a good candidate for a breast lift if you:
Have sagging or drooping breasts due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss
Feel that your breasts have lost firmness or shape over time
Have nipples that point downward or fall below the breast crease
Finished breastfeeding and are not currently pregnant
Are in good overall health and are a non-smoker
Are at or near a stable weight
Have realistic goals and understand what the procedure can and cannot achieve
During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. Berardi will evaluate you to determine if you are a qualified breast lift patient.
Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
Restored Contour and Firmness
By eliminating excess skin and firming the underlying tissue, a breast lift transforms the shape of the bust for a more youthful and lifted look. This technique not only enhances contouring so clothes fit better but also boosts symmetry, two effects that combine to make women appear more “put together” overall.
Natural-Looking Nipple Placement
The surgery repositions the nipple and areola higher on the breast for a more youthful appearance. It can also relieve pain from downward-facing nipples or skin rubbing against clothes.
Boosted Self-Esteem
After getting a breast lift, numerous women experience an increase in self-confidence and contentment with their looks. This new self-assurance may positively affect their posture in various everyday settings. It includes but is not limited to social engagements, professional interactions, and romantic dates.
Enduring Enhancement
If a breast lift is complemented by a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, its effects can be long-lasting. With adequate maintenance, the elevated, more youthful breast shape will endure for years to come.
Renewed Confidence in Intimacy
Many women find that undergoing a breast lift boosts both their confidence and comfort levels within their own skin, particularly during moments of intimacy. It’s common for these patients to say they feel not only more attractive but also more at ease being open with their partners. And this can translate into an increased sense of closeness on every level.
Cost of a Breast Lift in Scottsdale, AZ
The average cost of a breast lift in Scottsdale, AZ, typically ranges between $6,000 and $12,000. The surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, surgical facility use, and any post-operative garments or medications are included in this estimate. The price varies depending on how complicated a procedure is, what method is utilized, and whether it is being done in combination with other procedures, such as breast augmentation or fat transfer. A consultation with Dr. Berardi is recommended to obtain the most accurate cost for a specific case.
Schedule Your Consultation At Our Scottsdale Office
Dr. Berardi is an experienced plastic surgeon who has performed a large number of plastic surgery procedures. He takes great pride in helping patients restore their youthful figure and self-confidence. If you have been considering breast procedures, we encourage you to contact our Scottsdale practice at 480.397.0711 to schedule a comprehensive consultation. Being one of the best plastic surgeons in the area, Dr. Berardi will address all of your questions and concerns and help you decide if this surgery is right for you. He can also discuss other available treatment options that may be added to your breast lift, including breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, or breast reduction. In addition, he may go over body contouring procedures such as liposuction and tummy tuck.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lifts
Should I Wait Until After I Have Children to Have a Breast Lift?
If you’re considering having a breast lift, you first need to fully consider if you’re going to have additional children in the future. If so, you need to wait until after your final child is delivered and you are finished breastfeeding to have this procedure. Why? With pregnancy and breastfeeding, your breast size will again fluctuate. This will stretch incision scars and will again create volume loss, negating the results of your breast lift.
What Are The Risks Involved With a Breast Lift?
Breast lifts are major surgeries, so they include risks involved with surgery: bleeding or the formation of a hematoma, reaction to anesthesia, infection, and slow incision healing.
Risks related to breast lift surgery include:
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation (these usually revolve within a few months)
- Irregularities in breast contour or shape
- Breast asymmetry
- Necrosis of fat tissue
- Fluid accumulation
- Possibility of the need for revision surgery
Thanks to Dr. Berardi’s board-certified training, expertise, and experience, these possible complications are quite rare.
What Will My Scarring Be Like After a Breast Lift?
In the vast majority of breast lift procedures, Dr. Berardi uses a lollipop or anchor incision, as this allows the amount of tissue repositioning and excess skin excision necessary for most women. These incisions create scarring; there’s no way around that. But you’ll be surprised at how they fade with time. The anchor incision will create the most scarring, as you would assume.
The best advice for managing or attempting to minimize the appearance of your scars is to leave the silicone wound dressings in place until Dr. Berardi removes them at your follow-up. Also, always wearing your surgical bra and then your support bra during the first 4-6 weeks is critical. This eliminates any pressure on the incisions, which keeps the scars as narrow as possible. It also helps eliminate some of the redness.
Topical scar-minimizing treatments keep the area moisturized and help to minimize the appearance of the scars. SkinMedica makes one such product called Scar Recovery Gel with Centelline.
Lightly massaging your scars can help them heal more smoothly. But you cannot do this too early and put stress on your incisions. Ask Dr. Berardi when massage could be appropriate, along with the proper technique.
