Breast Lift
Serving Danville, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Livermore, and across the East Bay metro area
Achieving your aesthetic goals often involves more than just a change in volume; it requires restoring the structural grace that time, gravity, or motherhood may have altered.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is the definitive solution for women who are satisfied with their current size but wish to see their breasts returned to a firmer, more elevated position on the chest.
Stephen Ronan, MD, FACS, utilizes meticulous lifting techniques to remove stretched skin and reshape the internal tissue, allowing you to move through the world with a renewed sense of poise and a silhouette that feels authentically yours again.
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A breast lift is performed to elevate the nipple and areola to the correct position corresponding to the level of the breast fold.
The amount or length of the lift scars is dependent on how much drooping is present. Smaller amounts of drooping will need smaller amounts of scar to lift the present into a better position. More drooping means more scar. We will do the least amount of scar we feel necessary to get the breast into proper position.
Scars around the nipple or vertically extending to the breast fold will soften, flatten, mature, and lighten over many months. Breastfeeding is generally not affected by this procedure.
Your breast lift procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure in our private, accredited surgical facility. After the administration of anesthesia, Dr. Ronan makes precise incisions to remove the excess skin that has caused the breasts to sag. The underlying breast tissue is then lifted and reshaped to provide more projection and a firmer feel.
If necessary, areola size can also be reduced during this time to maintain a proportional breast profile. Once the internal structure is secured, the skin is brought together and closed with fine sutures. The entire surgical procedure typically takes two to three hours, depending on the complexity and whether you are combining breast lift surgery with other enhancements.
Breast lift surgery is specifically designed to correct drooping (ptosis) and loss of firmness. Over time, factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and the natural aging process cause the breast skin to lose elasticity and the internal ligaments to stretch. This procedure effectively treats:
When the nipples point downward or fall below the breast crease.
Breasts that have become elongated and lack upper-pole fullness.
Asymmetry where one breast sits lower than the other.
Redundant tissue that causes the breast to feel soft or "empty" even when volume is present.
Mastopexy restores the breasts to a higher, more youthful position on the chest wall. By removing the stretched skin and tightening the internal tissue, Dr. Ronan creates a firmer, more shapely breast contour. This internal support helps the breast resist gravity more effectively in the years following your surgery.
Lifting pendulous breasts can also make the torso appear longer and slimmer. For many patients, this aesthetic shift provides a more balanced silhouette that highlights their natural waistline. Unlike non-invasive treatments, a surgical lift permanently excises the extra skin that exercise cannot tighten.
Plastic Surgery Breast lift patient Suzanne Ryan before and 3-months after procedure.
*Individual results may vary
“I had a great experience at Blackhawk. Best decision I’ve ever made. So happy with the results. Dr. Ronan does wonders. I had a breast lift and reduction. At first, I was very nervous making this big decision. But Dr. Ronan and his staff made me feel so comfortable, and everything went so smoothly, and I was very excited to get it done. I highly recommend going to black hawk if you’re thinking about getting something done. They’re great.”
–Yelp Reviewer
Many patients develop drooping, or ptosis, of the breasts with time, gravity, or pregnancies. A mastopexy or breast lift procedure will raise the breast to a higher position on the chest and improve shape, but not increase volume. A candidate for this procedure is someone who is happy with the volume of the breast and wants only lifting.
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for mastopexy is to schedule a consultation. During a consultation, the procedure is explained in detail, and all of your questions are answered. You will learn what reasonable expectations are given your particular anatomy and desires.
Following your breast lift surgery, your medical team will provide personalized instructions to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery. You will be fitted with a surgical support bra to minimize swelling and protect the surgical area as it heals. Some bruising and discomfort are normal for the first few days, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication.
Most patients can return to non-strenuous normal activities within a week, though you must avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks. You may have small drainage tubes to remove excess blood or fluid, which are typically removed in our office within the first week. While the initial breast lift recovery phase is quick, it takes several months for the breasts to settle into their final, soft position.
The results of your breast lift procedure are visible as soon as the initial surgical dressings are removed. You will see a dramatically more youthful breast contour and a perky, lifted appearance that has been missing for years. While no surgery can stop the aging process entirely, a mastopexy provides a "reset" that can last a decade or more if you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Visible scarring is a necessary part of any major surgery, but Dr. Ronan’s expert placement ensures that incisions are either hidden in the breast crease or the natural curves of the areola. Over a few months, these lines will fade and flatten significantly. Most patients feel that the boost in self-confidence and the comfort of a firmer profile far outweigh the presence of discreet scars.
A successful mastopexy requires a surgeon with a deep understanding of female anatomy and a commitment to surgical integrity. Stephen Ronan, MD, FACS, has earned a reputation as a leading plastic surgeon in the Bay Area by providing honest advice and meticulous results. When you choose Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, you are choosing a medical team that prioritizes your safety and your long-term satisfaction. Our private, luxurious setting in Danville ensures that your journey toward a more youthful breast contour is handled with the highest level of professional care.
No, a breast lift is designed to reposition existing tissue and remove extra skin; it does not add volume. If you desire larger breasts in addition to a lift, Dr. Ronan can discuss combining breast lift with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer.
While most patients do not experience a permanent change in sensation, some temporary numbness or increased sensitivity is common during the first few weeks of healing. Dr. Ronan uses techniques that preserve the nerves and blood vessels to the nipple whenever possible.
It is best to reach your goal weight and maintain a stable weight for at least six months before undergoing plastic surgery. Significant weight fluctuations after the procedure can compromise your breast lift results by stretching the skin again.
For patients of a certain age or those with a family history of breast cancer, Dr. Ronan may recommend a baseline mammogram before surgery. This ensures that the breast tissue is healthy before we perform any extensive reshaping.
A lollipop lift (vertical mastopexy) involves an incision around the areola and a vertical line down to the crease, suitable for moderate sagging. An inverted T (anchor lift) adds a horizontal incision along the breast crease and is used for more pendulous breasts that require significant skin removal.
When it comes to plastic surgery, proper care happens before, during, and after surgery day. That’s why we’ve created blueprints outlining what patients and providers need to consider to ensure success. Our pre-care and post-care guides are here to help our patients and all patients take the necessary steps to maximize their chances of safe surgery and beautiful results.
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