Restored, not replaced.
A breast lift reshapes and elevates — working with the tissue you have rather than adding to it. Dr. Larry Nichter matches the technique to the degree of correction each patient needs, from his minimal-scar California Breast Lift® to a comprehensive mastopexy for significant sagging.
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The procedure
Breast Lift in Newport Beach
A breast lift — known medically as mastopexy — is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes breasts that have sagged or lost their shape. It removes excess skin, tightens the surrounding tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola to a more natural, elevated position on the breast.
Sagging develops for many reasons. Gravity works on breast tissue over time. Pregnancy and breastfeeding stretch the skin and alter breast volume. Weight loss leaves behind skin that no longer matches the reduced breast size. Genetics influence how well the skin's elasticity holds up. The result, in each case, is breasts that sit lower than they once did, with nipples that may point downward or fall below the breast crease.
A breast lift addresses the shape and position of the breast — not its volume. Patients who want fuller breasts in addition to a lift may benefit from combining mastopexy with breast augmentation. Patients with mild sagging and modest volume loss may be candidates for Dr. Nichter's California Breast Lift®, which uses fat transfer instead of implants to restore subtle fullness.
His approach
The Right Lift for the Right Anatomy
There is no single breast lift. The procedure exists on a spectrum — from minimal-scar techniques for mild sagging to comprehensive lifts for significant ptosis. The surgeon's judgment in selecting the right technique for each patient's anatomy is what determines whether the result looks natural and lasts.
Dr. Nichter performs the full range of mastopexy techniques and selects based on the degree of sagging, the quality of the skin, the position of the nipple, and the patient's goals:
- Periareolar (donut) lift — An incision around the areola only. Best suited for mild sagging where the nipple needs modest repositioning. Minimal scarring.
- Vertical (lollipop) lift — An incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. Addresses moderate sagging with good reshaping capability and a discreet scar pattern.
- Anchor (inverted T) lift — An incision around the areola, vertically down, and along the breast crease. Provides the most comprehensive reshaping for significant sagging or very large, heavy breasts.
- California Breast Lift® — Dr. Nichter's proprietary technique combining a minimal-scar lift with fat transfer. Best suited for patients with mild to moderate sagging and modest volume loss who want a natural enhancement without implants.
The choice between these approaches is not about preference — it is about what the tissue requires. Using too conservative a technique for significant sagging produces a result that will not hold. Using too aggressive a technique for mild sagging creates unnecessary scarring. Dr. Nichter recommends the approach that will produce the best lasting result for your specific anatomy.
Is it right for you
Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is appropriate for women whose breasts have lost shape or position and who want to restore a more youthful contour without necessarily changing their breast size.
A breast lift may be right for you if:
- Your breasts sag or have lost their firmness
- Your nipples point downward or fall at or below the breast crease
- You have excess breast skin that no longer fits your breast volume
- Your breasts are asymmetric in position (one hangs lower than the other)
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss has changed your breast shape
- You are in good general health and at a stable weight
- You are a non-smoker and do not use other forms of nicotine, or are willing to stop well in advance of surgery
If your primary concern is small breast size rather than sagging, breast augmentation may be more appropriate. If you want both lift and increased volume, the two procedures can be combined. If you have mild sagging with modest volume loss, the California Breast Lift® may achieve your goals with less scarring and no implants.
Dr. Nichter recommends the approach your anatomy actually requires during consultation.
What to expect
Your Breast Lift Experience
Consultation and Planning
Dr. Nichter evaluates the degree of sagging, skin quality, nipple position, breast volume, and asymmetry. He explains which lift technique is best suited to your anatomy, discusses whether augmentation or fat transfer would complement the lift, and ensures you understand the trade-offs — including the scar patterns associated with each approach. You leave with a clear surgical plan.
The Day of Surgery
A breast lift is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes two to three hours — longer if combined with augmentation or other procedures.
Through the chosen incision pattern, Dr. Nichter removes excess skin, reshapes the underlying breast tissue to create a firmer, more elevated contour, and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the breast mound. If the areolas have stretched, they can be reduced in diameter during the same procedure. The incisions are closed with layered sutures.
If the lift is combined with augmentation, implants are placed through the same incisions. If the California Breast Lift® is being performed, fat is harvested through liposuction, processed, and injected into the breasts to restore mild volume.
Immediately After
You are monitored as anesthesia clears. You will wear a surgical bra to support the new breast shape and minimize swelling. Small drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation — these are typically removed within the first week. Most patients go home the same day.
Recovery
Recovery and Downtime
Breast lift recovery follows a predictable timeline, though patients who combine a lift with augmentation or fat transfer should expect a slightly longer process.
The First Few Days
Expect swelling, bruising, and soreness in the breast area. The breasts will feel tight as the skin adjusts to its new position. Prescription medication manages discomfort. Sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. Avoid raising your arms overhead.
Week One
Bruising begins to fade. Swelling remains. Drains, if placed, are removed. Most patients manage light daily activities by the end of the first week. Continue wearing your surgical bra at all times. Avoid lifting anything heavier than a few pounds.
Weeks Two Through Four
Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks. Swelling continues to diminish. The breast shape improves progressively. Scars are still visible but begin to flatten and fade. Avoid exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity.
Six Weeks and Beyond
By six weeks, most activity restrictions are lifted. Exercise can resume gradually. The breasts continue to settle and refine in shape over the following months. Scars mature over six to twelve months, gradually fading from red or pink to a thin, pale line. Final results are typically visible at three to six months.
Results
Natural, lasting improvement.
A breast lift produces an immediately visible improvement in breast position and shape. The full result emerges over three to six months as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.
Results are long-lasting. The breasts will continue to age naturally — gravity, skin changes, and hormonal shifts are ongoing — but a lifted breast ages from a higher starting point. Most patients enjoy their results for a decade or more before any further sagging becomes noticeable. Maintaining a stable weight, avoiding smoking, and protecting the skin from sun exposure all help preserve the outcome.
The California Breast Lift® results are also durable. The transferred fat integrates into the breast tissue permanently, though a small percentage of transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed during the first few months.
After having children, our patient was very unhappy with her deflated droopy breasts. The doctor performed a vertical breast lift with augmentation using Ideal® saline implants filled to 335 cc's on both sides placed under the muscle through an inframammary incision. After photos were taken 5 months post-op. Redness along the incisions will fade overtime.
This woman had a Mastopexy (Breast Lift).
This woman had a Mastopexy (Breast Lift).
This woman had a Mastopexy (Breast Lift).
Galleries: Breast Lift 40Breast Lift with Implants 6
Investment
Cost and Financing
The cost of a breast lift depends on the technique used, the complexity of the lift, whether additional procedures are included (augmentation, fat transfer, nipple correction), anesthesia, and facility fees. A detailed quote is provided after consultation.
Financing options are available — please ask at your consultation.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a breast lift and breast augmentation?
A breast lift reshapes and elevates the breast without adding volume. Augmentation adds volume (with implants or fat transfer) without necessarily lifting. Many patients benefit from combining both — the lift corrects position and shape, while augmentation restores fullness.
Will a breast lift make my breasts smaller?
Slightly, yes. Removing excess skin can reduce breast volume modestly. However, the primary change is in shape and position, not size. If you are concerned about losing volume, Dr. Nichter can discuss combining the lift with augmentation or fat transfer.
What is the California Breast Lift?
Dr. Nichter's California Breast Lift® is a proprietary technique that combines a minimal-scar lift with fat transfer. Fat is harvested from another area of the body via liposuction and injected into the breasts to restore subtle volume and improve contour. It is best suited for patients with mild to moderate sagging and modest volume loss.
How visible are the scars?
Scar visibility depends on the technique. A periareolar lift leaves a scar only around the areola. A lollipop lift adds a vertical scar. An anchor lift adds a scar along the crease. All scars are placed to fall within natural boundaries and fade significantly over six to twelve months. Dr. Nichter selects the technique that provides the correction you need with the minimum necessary scarring.
How long do breast lift results last?
Results are long-lasting — most patients enjoy their lift for a decade or more. The breasts will continue to age naturally, but from a higher, reshaped starting point. Maintaining a stable weight and avoiding smoking help preserve the outcome.
Can I have a breast lift after breastfeeding?
Yes. Dr. Nichter recommends waiting at least six months after you finish breastfeeding to allow your breast tissue and skin to stabilize. This ensures the surgical plan is based on your settled anatomy.
Can a breast lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Common combinations include augmentation (for fullness), reduction (for size decrease with lift), and nipple correction (for areola size or nipple projection). The lift is also a frequent component of a mommy makeover.
Schedule Your Consultation
If sagging has changed the way your breasts look and feel, Dr. Nichter can help you understand your options. He will evaluate your anatomy, explain which lift technique is right for you, and discuss whether augmentation or fat transfer would complement the result. There is no obligation.
Request a Private ConsultationDr. Nichter sees patients from across the United States and internationally. The office is located in Newport Beach, CA.