Breast Lift Portland | Dr. Aric Aghayan

The Breast Lift Procedure

Are you a candidate for Plastic Surgery?

Breast lift surgery is a viable option for women with breasts that droop, sag, or appear otherwise deflated. The main goal of a breast lift is to raise, reshape, and tighten the breasts for a tauter, more youthful appearance. In addition to repositioning the breast tissue, the nipples and areolas will also be raised so that they project forward instead of down.

Those who benefit most from this surgery include women whose bodies have been significantly changed by weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. This surgery can also help women with asymmetrical or uneven breasts. While a breast lift alone will not increase the overall size of your breasts, you may choose to combine this procedure with breast augmentation for total breast rejuvenation. The lift will reposition the breasts and improve nipple projection, and the augmentation will add volume and increase size. Portland plastic surgeon, Dr. Aghayan, has extensive experience performing breast lift surgery for his patients and can help you achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results with this procedure.

Patient Testimonials

“The positive results of his work are inescapable — the cosmetic goals I was striving for were met and more”

"What made my experience with Dr. Aghayan so rewarding was not just his wildly competent and professional procedural skills as a plastic surgeon, but his addicting spirit of reassurance and strong bedside manner. Many doctors have the intellectual capability to perform plastic surgery related procedures, Dr. Aghayan goes beyond this by his spirit of kindness and respect."

“Dr. Aghayan and the staff at Apres Plastic Surgery have been amazing!”

"I am 7 weeks post abdominoplasty and I am loving the results. I can’t wait to to see my final transformation in 3 to 4 months which I only expect to get better! If you are considering any aesthetic surgery I highly recommend Dr. Aric Aghayan who is so easy to talk too and real world and his attentive staff will take great care of you. Make the call, you will love the results!"

“Dr. Aric Aghayan and his team are the epitome of professionality and kindness.”

"If you don’t like something about yourself they can fix it. Either performed by himself or a recommendation in the right direction, Dr. Aghayan is the answer. Thank you for helping me improve self-confidence."

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Benefits of Breast Lift

With a breast lift Portland patients can expect the following benefits:

Enhanced Breast Appearance

Breast lift surgery results in breasts that appear firmer and perkier. Drooping and sagging are no longer a problem, and there’s less need for lifting bras and undergarments, which are often tight and uncomfortable. Breasts will naturally sit higher on all the chest and appear natural and youthful.

Boosted Confidence

With improved breast lift and nipple projection, you can expect to feel more content and confident with your appearance. This boosted confidence and self-assurance can also translate into other areas of your life, improving your relationships, career, and motivation to continue leading a healthy lifestyle.

Improved Nipple Projection

Because breast lift surgery lifts and repositions the breasts, it naturally repositions the nipples as well. Many patients who benefit most from breast lift surgery have breasts that droop and look more tubular than round. This is exacerbated by nipples that point downward instead of out. Revision surgery changes the nipples so that they point forward and appear perkier for a more youthful overall appearance.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Lift

It’s common for patients to initially approach breast rejuvenation thinking they want implants. And while breast augmentation (implants) are a great option for many women, patients often discover that what could really benefit them is a breast lift.

Patients who might benefit most from a breast lift have breasts that point downward and carry excess skin. Lack of volume is not as much of a problem as is positioning and stretching. Aging, significant weight loss, and pregnancy can all cause the breasts to droop and lose their plump shape. A breast lift will lift the breasts to a more natural and attractive position. If a breast lift seems like a surgery that may benefit you, keep in mind that it is also important for candidates to be in good physical health and to be at a healthy stable weight prior to surgery. Finally, it’s important to have realistic expectations about your surgical outcomes.

Surgery Preparation for Breast Lift

Once you’ve considered breast lift surgery, it’s a good idea to book a consultation appointment with Portland breast lift expert, Dr. Aghayan. This appointment is useful for multiple reasons.

It gives you a chance to discuss the changes you’d like to see in your breasts with Dr. Aghayan, and, in turn, you can go over your medical history and physical composition to assess your surgical options and help you move forward with the best solution. It’s advised that you bring a list of any current medications or supplements you are taking to your consultation appointment along with notes or pictures concerning your ideal breast shape and size. As you move forward and book a surgery date, Dr. Aghayan may have you undergo additional lab tests and/or adjust your medications. It’s also important that you stop smoking and drinking alcohol at a certain point prior to your surgery.

Breast Lift Procedure Details

Breast lifts are typically outpatient procedures, which means you’ll be able to go home on the same day as your surgery. In general, breast lift surgery follows the same pattern:

Administration of General AnesthesiaAll breast augmentation surgeries are performed under general anesthesia.
Incisions Dr. Aghayan will decide on the placement of your incisions before surgery. Breast implant surgical techniques tend to follow one of two patterns. Either inverted-T (also known as anchor) incisions or straight-line vertical incisions will be used.
Removal of excess skin, fat and tissue Any excess loose skin will be carefully removed along with any unwanted fat and tissue. The remaining skin will be tightened and the breasts lifted for a firmer, perkier appearance. If significant changes in sizing and positioning were made, the size of the areolas will sometimes be reduced as well.
Closure of the incisions Finally, the incisions will be carefully secured with sutures, surgical tape, or skin adhesives.

Breast Lift Recovery

Breast lift surgery generally requires a more extensive recovery than breast augmentation surgery. Once you are released home after a brief period of monitoring following your surgery, you’ll need to wear a medical compression bra to diminish swelling and carefully follow the postoperative instructions provided to you by Dr. Aghayan.

A draining tube may also go home with you. This will be inserted near the incision site to help with fluid accumulation. Swelling will go down within about a week after your surgery, and from here, you’ll begin to see the outstanding results this procedure can achieve. As you recover, remember to take it easy and avoid any intense activity such as working out or lifting heavy objects. Dr. Aghayan will notify you when you’re able to return to normal daily activities such as work and exercise.

Complementary Procedures

Breast lifts are often combined with procedures such as:

LIPOSUCTION

Many women who desire enlarged or enhanced breasts also desire contouring on other parts of the body. The breasts can be further enhanced, for example, by slimming the upper arms or reducing stubborn excess fat on the abdomen or flanks. These results can be achieved through liposuction.

TUMMY TUCK

When excess skin on the breasts is present, it’s common for there to be excess skin on the abdomen as well. The only way to correct this latter issue is with a tummy tuck, which tightens and strengthens the abdominal muscles while removing excess skin from the upper and lower abdomen.

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Combining breast augmentation with a breast lift allows patients to get the most out of surgery. Whereas a breast lift will raise and tighten the breasts for a firmer, perkier appearance, breast augmentation can add volume and increase the size of the breasts.

MOMMY MAKEOVERS

The goal of a mommy makeover is to restore a woman’s body after she has experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding, especially, can cause the breasts to lose volume and elasticity. This may make them appear droopy and flat. Both of these issues can be corrected with a breast lift, making it one of the staple procedures in many mommy makeovers.

Breast LiftFrequently Asked Questions

These are the most common questions we receive about breast lift surgery.

What is the difference between breast augmentation and a breast lift?

Essentially, a breast lift uses the tissue, fat, and skin a woman already has. The breasts are simply adjusted and repositioned to sit higher on the chest. Breast lifts target sagging, droopy breasts that tend to point downward.

When a woman desires an increase in the size and volume of her breasts, she should opt for breast augmentation. This procedure utilizes silicone or saline breast implants (or a fat transfer process) to increase the overall volume of the breasts. In some cases, women may choose to undergo both breast augmentation and breast lift surgery.

How long does breast lift surgery take?

Most breast lift surgeries will take approximately two hours or more. The duration of surgery, however, will depend largely on the complexity of breast ptosis (sagging) and the size, location, and nature of the necessary incisions. The inverted-T (also known as anchor) incision method and the straight-line vertical incision method are most commonly used.

Will my nipples be moved?

Usually, yes. When the breasts are lifted and tightened, it’s common for the nipples to be moved as well. This helps achieve more youthful-looking breasts with a nipple line that sits at a natural height. In some cases, the size of the areolas may also be reduced in order to match the new proportions of your breasts.

How long do breast lifts last?

Results from your breast lift should last for at least several years. While it is possible to see some loose and sagging skin as you age normally, the best way to maintain your results is by following a good care schedule after surgery and by maintaining a stable healthy weight over time.

Significant weight loss or gain and pregnancy and breastfeeding can greatly alter your results. For this reason, it is also recommended that women wait until they are done having children to undergo breast lift surgery.

Do I need a breast lift or breast implants?

Many women are confused as to whether they would benefit most from a breast lift or breast augmentation. In fact, the two procedures are notably different and target varied issues related to breast shape, size, and position.

If you would like to increase the size of your breasts, breast augmentation is likely the best solution. To correct breasts that sag and droop (and nipples that point down instead of out), choose a breast lift. To best determine whether a breast lift or breast augmentation is best for you, book a consultation appointment with Dr. Aghayan to discuss your options.

Can you feel your nipples after a breast lift?

Immediately following your surgery, it’s possible you may experience some changes in nipple sensation and sensitivity. In most cases, this feeling will return over the weeks and months following surgery.

Do you lose a cup size with a breast lift?

It’s possible. Though it shouldn’t be assumed that any reduction in cup size is the result of volume loss. Rather, some women will go down around one cup size when the breasts are repositioned to a higher place on the chest, and excess skin, tissue, and fat are removed. Speak to Dr. Aghayan about your desired cup size, and he will help you achieve this goal with surgery.

Breast Lift in Portland, OR