Breast Lift

A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is a breast surgery procedure in which the skin and tissue of the breast are repositioned higher up on the chest, eliminating drooping and sagging. Frequently combined with a breast augmentation to replace fullness lost through aging or breastfeeding, the breast lift creates firmer, more youthful, attractive breasts.

Many women, particularly those with larger breasts and those who have had several children, experience effects of premature aging in the sagging and drooping of their breasts while they are still relatively young. A breast lift can reverse this effect, lifting and filling out the breast.

The breast lift procedure

The breast lift procedure will usually consist of some combination of the following procedures:

  • Removal of excess skin contributing to the aged appearance.
  • Placement of a breast implant to improve fullness and shape of the breast.
  • Rearrangement of the breast tissue to a higher position on the chest wall.
  • Repositioning of the nipple to a higher position on the breast mound. The areola-the darkened area of skin surrounding the nipple-may also be reduced in size if desired.


There are several techniques that may be used to achieve these effects, each with its unique benefits and limitations.

The Periareolar Lift-also referred to as a Benelli lift, a concentric lift, or a doughnut lift-- is a breast lift procedure in which a doughnut-shaped circle of tissue around the areola is excised. The breast is then tightened around the areola. This breast surgery procedure results in an overall tightening and firming effect of the breast.

The Vertical Mastopexy is a breast surgery procedure that involves making a doughnut-shaped incision around the areola, as well as a straight incision from the areolar incision down to the mammary fold (the natural crease along the lower half of the breast). This allows the breast surgeon to excise excess skin not only from around the nipple and areola, but on the lower half of the breast as well.

The Full Mastopexy involves making an anchor-shaped incision, from the bottom of the areola down to the inframammary crease. This allows the surgeon to tighten, lift, and reshape the breast by removing excess skin from the lower half of the breast. Once all the excess skin is removed, and the breast mound is reshaped, the surgeon positions the nipple and areola higher along the breast mound.

Frequently Asked Breast Lift Questions

For a full explanation of each of these breast surgery procedures, and a personal assessment of which procedure may be right for you, contact our Breast Surgeon today to arrange a consultation.

Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgeon

About Dr. Bray

Dr. Bray Cosmetic Surgeon California The Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center in Torrance, California, was founded by Dr. David A. Bray. Bray Plastic Surgery is excited to offer the unique blend of over 30 years of experience in facial plastic surgery combined with the latest in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetics. Our Medical Center offers the expertise, technologies and techniques to help our patients look and feel their best.
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