30+ Years
Breast & Body Surgery
Double Board-Certified
Plastic Surgeon
10,000+
Breast Procedures Performed
AAAASF-Accredited
Surgical Facility
Bay Area Breast Lift in San Francisco with Dr. Leonard Gray
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, heredity, and other factors may contribute to drooping or sagging breasts. While this condition can be challenging to deal with both mentally and physically, several types of breast lift surgery can significantly improve the breasts’ shape and position by excising skin and repositioning tissues. Breast lift surgery can provide lifted, shaped, and more youthful-looking breasts, along with elevated self-confidence.
Dr. Leonard Gray of Bay Area Plastic Surgery is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and breast lift and breast augmentation expert. He has performed countless successful breast lift operations over the years from his San Francisco plastic surgery practice. Dr. Gray values patient education and will help you to decide which breast lift option best aligns with your aesthetic goals.
Learn more about breast lifts in San Francisco and the Bay Area by calling 415-434-8858 or filling out our online form!
Breast Lift Results
What is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery can reduce sagging, add shape, and raise the position of the nipples and the darker area surrounding the nipples (areolas). This can be achieved through several procedures using skin tightening, skin removal and suturing, and breast tissue repositioning. The areolas can also be reduced during the operation to keep them proportionate to the newly shaped breasts.
Breast lifts are not meant to add significant volume to the breasts. However, you can choose to include implants with your breast lift procedure, and a vertical breast lift with tissue transposition may also add some fullness to the upper breast using natural breast tissue.
What Can a Breast Lift Address?
Breast lifts correct several different issues, including:
- Sagging, flat, or elongated breasts
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched or large areolas
- Breast asymmetry
What are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
Each patient will experience unique benefits from their procedure. That said, breast lift patients typically enjoy:
- A lifted breast appearance
- Repositioned nipples
- Tighter skin
- More fullness (with a vertical lift or added breast implant)
- A boost in self-image and confidence
To see how a breast lift will benefit you, you must first speak with Dr. Gray in a consultation. Here, he will help decide which breast lift method will help you reach your goals.
What are the Different Types of Breast Lifts?
| Vertical Lift | Inferior Pedicle | Benelli Lift | BodyTite | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Moderate to severe sagging, downward-pointing nipples, or lower breast stretching | Moderate to severe sagging; also used for breast reduction | Minimal drooping with a desire to reduce large areolas | Nipples that have begun to sag just a few centimeters, without excessive drooping or stretching |
| Technique | Excess skin removed around the areola; breast tissue “pillars” sewn together for internal support, or tissue transposed for upper pole fullness without an implant | Keyhole skin excision; areola resized and repositioned; no internal suturing of breast tissue | Circular incision around the areola with “purse string” suture to resize; skin closed with dissolvable buried sutures | Bipolar radiofrequency heat applied beneath the skin via a small nipple puncture to tighten tissue |
| Implants | Can be performed with or without implants | Can be performed with implants, though implant size is often more limited | Can be performed with or without implants, most often with an implant | Not applicable — non-surgical skin tightening |
| Internal Support | Long-lasting internal support from sewn breast tissue | No internal suturing; Galaflex mesh sometimes used to reduce bottoming out | No internal tissue support; the purse-string suture resizes the areola only | Not applicable |
| Scarring | Less scarring; only around the areola and down, no scar underneath the breast | More prominent scar underneath the breast | Minimal circular scar along the new areola’s edge, easily concealed | Small puncture site at the nipple tip, closed with Dermaflex glue |
| Recovery | About 1 week off work; avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks | About 1 week off work; avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks | About 1 week; avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks | Some bruising/swelling for 2 weeks; most return to work the next day; skin tightening continues for up to 1.25 years |
Leonard W. Gray, MD, FACS: Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
30+ years of breast and body expertise
What Can I Expect During my Breast Lift Recovery?
Because there are multiple breast lift methods, recovery timelines will not look the same for each patient. Less invasive methods, such as BodyTite, will have much less recovery time than a more involved breast lift that requires tissue and skin removal.
You may be ready to return to work about a week after a surgical procedure; however, to help your body heal correctly, you should refrain from your full daily activities for at least 2 or 3 weeks. Wait at least 6 weeks before more taxing exercise. Avoid pushing, pulling, lifting, or any other strenuous exercises during this time.
Dr. Gray will discuss your expected recovery timeline when you have a good idea of your breast lift plan.
Learn More About Breast Lifts with Dr. Leonard Gray
If you are interested in seeing if a breast lift is the right procedure for you, you are invited to reach out to Bay Area Plastic Surgery for a consultation. Here, you will have a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gray in which you can ask questions, learn more about the procedure, and see how a breast lift can improve your life both mentally and physically.
Dr. Gray and Bay Area Plastic Surgery invite you to contact us online or call 415-434-8858 to schedule your San Francisco breast lift consultation today.
Bay Area Breast Lift FAQs
Is a lollipop lift the same as a vertical lift?
Despite common misconceptions, lollipop lifts are not vertical lifts. Lollipop lifts only focus on skin and do not address breast tissue as vertical lifts do. Dr. Gray has found that vertical lifts are much more effective for most patients in that they improve the breast shape and provide significant internal support. However, there are some patients who would benefit from a lollipop skin lift.
How much does a breast lift cost in San Francisco?
The cost of your Bay Area breast lift will depend on the type of procedure you choose, the operation’s complexity, and many other factors. Dr. Gray and his team can provide you with a detailed estimate after you have spoken with him in consultation.
Can I have children after getting a breast lift?
Yes. During pregnancy, your breasts engorge and continue to be like this during breastfeeding. After breastfeeding, the breasts decrease in size. Most women don’t need a lift after breastfeeding, but some do. If a patient gets pregnant after a breast lift, it’s possible that they would need a second breast lift, but it’s also possible that they would not.
Can I have a breast augmentation and a lift?
Yes, many patients who want to both lift and add significant volume to their breasts can opt for a breast augmentation with lift, which you can learn more about by following the link. Dr. Gray can also add some fullness to the upper part of the breast in a vertical breast lift with tissue transposition if an implant is not wanted. He will discuss whether a breast lift, breast augmentation, a combination of both, or another cosmetic breast surgery is best for you during your consultation.
What is the disadvantage of a breast lift?
The primary disadvantages of a breast lift include potential scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and the possibility of asymmetry. As with any surgical procedure, there are also risks of complications like infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Can a breast lift fix sagging after major weight loss?
Yes. A breast lift can correct sagging after major weight loss, and also after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or time. The usual candidate is grade II ptosis: the nipple sits lower than the crease under the breast.
Dr. Gray’s preferred operation is a vertical mastopexy. The scar goes around the areola and down the lower breast in a lollipop pattern, without the long crease scar of an anchor lift. Lower-pole breast tissue can be moved upward for some upper fullness, and the remaining pillars are sewn together to support the lower breast and reduce bottoming out.
The lift can be done with or without an implant. If an implant is added, size is not limited the way it often is with an anchor lift. Tissue transposition adds shape, but not as much upper fullness as an implant.
Can a breast lift go wrong?
While breast lifts are generally safe, complications can occur. These may include poor healing, noticeable scarring, changes in nipple sensation, and unsatisfactory aesthetic results. Choosing an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon can help minimize these risks.
What not to do after a breast lift?
After a breast lift, avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Do not smoke as it can impair healing. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Follow your surgeon’s guidelines on wearing supportive bras. Refrain from soaking in baths, hot tubs, or pools until your surgeon gives the all-clear.
What if I am not happy with my breast lift results?
If you are not satisfied with the results of your breast lift, it’s important to discuss your concerns with Dr. Gray. He may suggest revision surgery or other treatments to address any issues. It’s important to have realistic expectations going into your surgery and give yourself adequate time to heal before making any decisions.
How to speed up breast lift recovery?
To speed up recovery, follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions diligently. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet. Wear the recommended support garments, avoid strenuous activities, and keep follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress.
Can I go braless after a breast lift?
It is generally recommended to wear a supportive bra for several weeks or even months after a breast lift to ensure proper healing and support. Once fully healed, you may choose to go braless occasionally, but regular support is advised to maintain the results and prevent sagging.
Will a breast lift leave visible scars?
Yes. Every breast lift leaves a scar. That is the tradeoff for lifting and reshaping the breast. The scar pattern depends on how much lift you need.
- A Benelli, or donut, lift leaves a scar only around the areola. It is used for large areolas with little droop and is often paired with an implant. Because the skin is gathered, that circular scar is usually not the finest.
- A vertical lift leaves a scar around the areola and down the lower breast. This is Dr. Gray’s preferred full lift. The areola scar is typically thin. The vertical scar is more visible at first, but it sits on the lower pole.
- An anchor lift adds a third scar in the crease under the breast. It treats the same degree of droop as a vertical lift, with more scarring.
Scars fade over months, but they do not disappear. Dr. Gray will show you which pattern fits your anatomy in consultation.