Introduction to Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

At the Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, Breast Lift is one of our most popular procedures. Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. At our practice, Dr. Nicholas Nikolov offers his skills and expertise to help you have a more volumized bust with Breast Lift surgery.

Dr. Nikolov strives to deliver the best breast lift in Beverly Hills by always practicing patient safety. If you’re interested in getting a breast lift, we’ve provided our guide to the procedure below. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to book a consultation.

Woman touching hair | breast Lift | Dr. Nikolov

What is a Breast Lift?

A Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts. While no surgery can stop the effects of gravity, the results of this

Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume–for example, after pregnancy–breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size.

What are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?

A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Nikolov.

  • Better breast appearance
  • Firmer breasts
  • Improved physical health
  • Rejuvenated look

Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.

Woman in White shirt | breast Lift | Dr. Nikolov

What’s the First Step?

If you feel like a Breast Lift is right for you, the first thing you’ll need to do after you’ve finished researching the procedure is to call the Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery and schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Nikolov. During this appointment, he will discuss your goals and aspirations in getting this surgery, answer any questions or concerns you may have, and give you an evaluation. He will also discuss your medical history to ensure he makes the best decisions to give you a safe and effective surgical experience. It is very important that you are completely open and honest with Dr. Nikolov. Everything will be kept confidential and the more he knows, the less opportunity there is for risks.

After he has all of this information, Dr. Nikolov will create your surgical plan. If you agree with this plan, the next step is to schedule your procedure with our Patient Coordinator. Before you leave our office, you will also be provided with a list of instructions to follow pre-surgery that will help you yield optimal results.

What to Expect on the Day of a Breast Lift

Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

  • Breast size and shape
  • The size and position of your areolas
  • The degree of breast sagging
  • Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are three common incision patterns:

  • Around the areola
  • Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
  • Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease

Once Dr. Nikolov makes the incisions the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are then repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Finally, any excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives, and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Most women desire the smallest scar possible. However, Dr. Nikolov will recommend the incisions that best suit your anatomy. We strongly advise you to listen to Dr. Nikolov and not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you. Dr. Nikolov will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. The scars often remain lumpy and red for months, and then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear low-cut tops.

Who are the Best Candidates for a Breast Lift?

The best candidates for getting a breast lift in Beverly Hills with Dr. Nikolov are healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in candidates with:

  • Desire to improve the appearance of their breasts
  • Flat or elongated breasts
  • Lost shape or volume in their breasts
  • Smaller, sagging breasts
  • Stretched skin on their breasts
  • Uneven breasts
Woman In black bra | breast Lift | Dr. Nikolov
Sexy Woman | breast Lift | Dr. Nikolov

Breast Lift Recovery

After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by Dr. Nikolov. Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.

If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.

Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Nikolov.

Dr. Nikolov will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breastfeed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost in Beverly Hills?

The cost of a Breast Lift in Beverly Hills is decided on by a variety of factors. The best way to learn how much the procedure will be for you is to have your consultation with Dr. Nikolov. After he is able to create the right surgical plan for you, our Patient Coordinator will be able to give you a price breakdown for the entirety of your treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Nikolov?

As an authority in the field of plastic surgery for more than 20 years, Dr. Nikolov is a diplomat of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been consulted for numerous television programs and publications and has been featured on CNN, CBS, NBC, and the Discovery Health Channel. He is world-renowned for his keen aesthetic sense that emphasizes body harmony and subtle changes to create a fresh appearance.

Get in Touch

Every woman deserves to look and feel beautiful, and for many of our Beverly Hills patients, the Breast Lift has been a wonderful addition in helping them achieve their self-confidence. When you are ready to learn more about a possible breast lift for yourself, you should contact the Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery and have a consultation. Call us at (310) 247-1932 or use our website to request an appointment today!

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