Breast Lift Surgery in San Antonio, TX

Breast lift surgery is a common cosmetic procedure for women following pregnancy, nursing, weight loss and aging. This is because many women find themselves feeling disappointed and insecure by sagging, deflated breasts and consider surgery to correct this. A breast lift reshapes the breast and brings it “back to life” with a tighter, shapelier appearance. Dr. Michael Decherd and Dr. Matthew Isakson have helped many women achieve their aesthetic goals through breast lift surgery. Some women may not be certain they need a lift. A good rule of thumb, is that if the nipple is above the fold, it does not need a lift. If it is well below the fold, then it may benefit from a lift.

The goal of a breast lift, or mastopexy, is twofold: The breast should be mechanically repositioned and the nipple/areola moved higher up (toward the neck); and second, the goal is to create a projecting, pleasing-shaped breast. To do this, excess skin is excised and the nipple and areola are repositioned upward. During this process, the breast is reshaped so that it creates projection. This is not always easy and in some cases, implants may be used.  During a breast lift, the areola can be made smaller and any asymmetry between the breasts can be lessened.

Sometimes women may feel that they appear "saggy", but in reality it’s not sag that is causing the undesirable appearance, but deflation of the breast tissue. This is often due to volume loss after nursing or weight loss, and the result is a deflated upper pole. The correction for volume loss is volume replacement, which involves the placement of a breast implant. Women who find themselves in these circumstances usually were not anticipating implants, so they usually select a more conservative implant. If a breast still has some volume but is in fact sagging, then a lift may be the answer and because tissue already exists, a shapelier appearance will result. In some cases, women believe that an implant will help with sagging. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Putting an implant in an already sagging breast will only cause it to sag further.

There is a scar around the areola, vertically down the lower pole of the breast, and in the fold. While scarring is sometimes a deterrent for some women, it shouldn’t be. Breast lift surgery produces beautiful breasts, even with the scarring that is left behind. We provide patients with a post-operative scar care treatment plan and over time the scars will heal and fade and not be an issue.

Yes. During a breast lift surgery, the surgeon makes areolas that are too big smaller and more appropriate for the breast.

Yes. Although some plastic surgeons do them in separate operations (this is called staging the operations), Dr. Decherd does them together. This varies by surgical case, and the amount of native breast tissue plays a role in the decision. Women who have sagging breasts but plenty of tissue, may not need an implant. This can be determined during the consultation, and the pros and cons of doing a combined surgery can be discussed.

Yes. Breast reduction surgery and breast lift surgery are related. The biggest difference is in how much tissue is removed. If a good amount of tissue is removed, a lift may be necessary.

Yes. Almost all women have some degree of asymmetry. This can be volume asymmetry (one breast is bigger) or nipple/areola asymmetry (one breast is lower). Often these happen at the same time. So while perfect is hard to achieve, and if breasts start out different, it is hard to end up the exact same, but, usually Dr. Decherd can make uneven breasts appear closer in size and shape.

The recovery will vary as some patients will have had a breast lift in combination with a reduction surgery, or with augmentation using implants. Regardless, patients will be encouraged to move around within the first 48 hours. Most patients can resume normal activities within a couple of weeks, but exercise should not be attempted for 4-6 weeks. 

Patients wanting to keep their new look for a long time should consider what causes droop in the first place. The most important factors are pregnancy and weight loss. Because of this, most patients come in for a breast lift after they have completed all pregnancies and after weight loss has been achieved. Both of these conditions stretch out the skin, and in the case of the breast, diminish the natural tissue (volume). Gravity and aging are also something to consider. To keep the new shape, a good bra is recommend. In addition, patients should invest in a good support bra for exercise as well.