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San Jose in San Jose & Palo Alto, CA
Illuminate founder and owner Dr. David Boudreault is one of the nation’s top cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgeons. He is a board-certified San Jose & Palo Alto plastic surgeon, highly skilled, and well-known in Silicon Valley for breast lift surgery. Read on to learn more about how Dr. Boudreault’s advanced techniques have helped hundreds of happy patients to gain gorgeous curves and greater confidence.
3 Hours
1-2 Weeks
1
Outpatient
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Mastopexy, better known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure to give sagging or downward drooping breasts a beautifully lifted look, by removing and tightening excess breast tissue. Breasts can droop from factors such as aging, weight change, gravity, or pregnancy. Because the mastopexy involves repositioning the nipples to be higher, an added benefit of this procedure is it can also reduce the size of stretched areolas (the dark skin surrounding the nipple).
The main purpose of a breast lift is to correct the effects of ptosis, also known as sagging breasts. Unfortunately, the effects of aging, gravity, weight loss or pregnancy on the breasts are sometimes inevitable and not naturally reversible. With a breast lift Palo Alto & San Jose patients can achieve natural looking breasts with lift and perkiness to ultimately restore the appearance of youth. You can combine the breast lift procedure with a breast augmentation or breast fat transfer for added breast volume in the upper breast (cleavage area) and added firmness. Breast lift surgery is often particularly effective in addressing:
A standalone breast lift procedure will not significantly change the size of your breasts. Breast lift is not intended to bring wide-set breasts closer together or add volume.
Ideal candidates for mastopexy are healthy non-smokers who are unhappy with the droopy, deflated or elongated shape of their breasts. San Jose or Palo Alto breast candidates may also have breast asymmetry, low-hanging areolas, large areolas and large nipples.
Dr. Boudreault has the experience and expertise to help you determine the type of procedure that's right for you and to achieve results aligned with your goals. At Illuminate we believe in helping all of our patients to feel fully confident about their looks and to feel excited to begin to realize their full potential.
You will need to provide results of any and all previous mammograms or biopsies. After carefully reviewing your medical history, Dr. Boudeault will perform a physical exam to assess your treatment options and may also order a base-line pre-surgical mammogram to help track any future changes in your breast tissue. For a period of time before and after your Palo Alto or San Jose breast lift, you will need to suspend use of any medications such as aspirin that can elevate the risk of bleeding. Before your procedure, make sure you have arranged for someone to drive you home following your procedure, and remember that you might need some help at home for a few days.
The breast lift in San Jose or Palo Alto essentially entails repositioning the nipples, removing excess tissue, and reshaping the breast. Dr. David Boudreault uses a range of breast lift techniques tailored to the breast size and degree of ptosis (sagging). These techniques include:
Crescent incision – This technique is recommended for those with minor areolar asymmetry and is used to bring the areola back in line with the breast and other side. Dr. Boudreault will make a semicircular incision around the edge of the areola and remove a small amount of excess skin to move the areola in the desired direction.
Circumareolar Technique (Donut technique) – This technique is recommended for mild drooping (Grade 1) and small breast without implants. In general the resulting scars from this lift are very unsatisfying since the tension of the lift is on the areola and ultimately lead to enlarged areolar and sometimes raised scars. This technique is not often recommended.
Vertical Technique (Lollipop) – This technique is recommended for mild to moderate drooping (Grade 1-2). Also known as the circum-vertical technique, this incision is made around the areola and extends vertically from the nipple to the bottom breast crease (inframammary fold).
Anchor Technique (Wise pattern) – Normally recommended for significant drooping and removes the greatest amounts of excess skin. This ultimate scar is around the areola, extending down centrally on the breast, where it meets a horizontal incision that runs along the bottom breast crease (inframammary fold). The resulting scars look like an anchor, hence the name.
Dr. Boudreault performs the breast lift under general anesthesia at our state-of-the-art AAAASF surgery center. Dr. Boudreault will then use the individualized technique particular to your individual breast size and level of droopiness, based on Dr. Boudreault’s thorough evaluation in a consultation. He will remove excess skin, reshape the breast, and adjust the nipple to the most aesthetic position for your body type. This is an outpatient procedure and you will return home the same day. The exact duration of the procedure depends on which technique is required, how much alteration is needed, and if additional procedures are performed at the same time.
Initial downtime after breast lift surgery is typically three to five days, and most patients can return to work after this time. Restrictions are mainly around lifting anything over 20 pounds or activity that raises your heart rate or blood pressure. Though you will start to feel yourself again after one to two weeks, Dr. Boudreault encourages a gradual return to activity over four to six weeks. The ultimate goal is to recover without complications and make sure your scars heal as beautifully as possible. You can resume regular physical activity after four to six weeks. There will be some discomfort post-procedure, and your breasts will be bruised and swollen for about two to three weeks. The majority of swelling will continue to subside over three to four months.
You will notice your newly reshaped and lifted breasts immediately after the procedure. Be aware that the shape of your breasts will continue to change and settle over the next several months. Do not be alarmed if your scars appear red and bumpy at first, as they will soften and fade over time. Scars do not reach full maturity until one year and generally fade significantly — ask Dr. Boudreault about his comprehensive scar treatment regimen to help speed up your healing process.
We invite you to join our hundreds of happy patients who have restored their breasts to a youthful and perkier appearance with the breast lift procedure, and now have a set of breasts that they truly love to see. Your aesthetic journey starts at Illuminate!
Like any surgery, breast lift surgeries come with risks, which will be discussed with you prior to your procedure. These include:
Very rarely, breast lift surgery can result in changes in breast sensation and loss of nipple or areola tissue.
Your surgery will be performed under general anesthesia, and Dr. Boudreault may also give you a nerve block to further reduce your immediate post-surgical discomfort or prescribe pain medication as appropriate. Patients typically describe their pain as “moderate,” but not intolerable.
Yes, and you can accelerate that fading by using over-the-counter scar gels and scar laser treatments also offered at Illuminate. Even if your scars never completely disappear, Dr. Boudreault will place the incisions as discreetly as possible in the natural lines and creases of your breasts to reduce any noticeability.
No. If you have successfully breast-fed before your surgery, this will not impact future breastfeeding.
Every case is different. For minor breast lifts, your surgeon may be able to preserve a lot of the volume in the breast. To address moderate to severe breast droopiness, a breast reduction may be a part of the procedure, which tends to be a 2-in-1 bonus for many patients. Most patients lose about one cup size from their procedure, but this can be determined by your surgeon during your consultation.
Although breast lift surgery can be permanent, the natural aging process and effects of gravity will still continue. Your optimal results should last about 10-15 years before the breasts may begin to droop again. Some patients opt for additional surgery to maintain initial benefits. Your size, skin quality, weight changes and pregnancy will impact the longevity of your results.
Because breast lift surgery is classified as a cosmetic procedure, your insurance unfortunately will not cover the costs.
The average cost of a Mastopexy is $15,000–$25,000. If the Mastopexy is combined with a Breast Augmentation, the average cost can start at $20,000. These estimates include all fees, such as anesthesia, facility fees, and any follow-up appointments if needed. If you would like to pay for your procedureover time in small monthly increments, we offer financing through CareCredit or Alphaeon . Many patients have also applied for credit cards with longer terms at 0% interest.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
