Breast Lift in Irvine, California

When pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or the passage of time leave your breasts looking deflated or sagging, a breast lift can restore the youthful position, shape, and firmness that help you feel confident in every outfit. Many women choose this popular procedure to reduce enlarged areolas, correct asymmetry, and reclaim body confidence after life changes. A breast lift not only enhances appearance but can also renew self-esteem and comfort in social, professional, and intimate settings.

• Restore youthful breast positionA lift repositions the breasts higher on the chest wall, reversing droop and giving a naturally younger silhouette that looks great in swimsuits and fitted tops.
• Improve nipple and areola placementDownward-pointing nipples or enlarged areolas are corrected, bringing the nipple-areola complex to an aesthetically ideal size and location for balanced proportions.
• Enhance breast shape and firmnessBy removing excess skin and tightening tissue, mastopexy restores roundness and firmness, reducing the "flattened" look common after pregnancy or weight loss.
• Correct breast asymmetryIf one breast sits lower or appears flatter than the other, a lift can create improved symmetry, leading to more balanced contours in and out of clothing.
• Boost body confidenceMany patients report renewed self-esteem and comfort wearing form-fitting outfits, lingerie, and swimwear after surgery, positively impacting social and intimate moments.
• Achieve long-lasting, natural-looking resultsWhile aging continues, carefully executed mastopexy provides enduring improvement that ages gracefully with you.

Repositions sagging breasts to a youthful height

Reduces enlarged areolas and improves nipple projection

Creates firmer, rounder breast contours without implants

Delivers immediate aesthetic enhancement and confidence

The right type of breast lift depends on how much sagging is present and whether you want to maintain your current breast size or increase volume. In general, breast lift procedures fall into two main categories: breast lift without implants and breast lift with implants. Each serves a different goal.

During your consultation, Dr. Song or Dr. Benyamein will evaluate your anatomy and desires to recommend the technique that will best achieve your vision.

Breast Lift Without Implants (Mastopexy)

Best for:Women who are satisfied with their current breast size but want a firmer, more lifted appearance.

This option is often chosen by patients who feel their breasts look deflated, droopy, or lower on the chest, but still have enough natural volume.

What it does:A breast lift without implants reshapes the breast using your existing tissue. During surgery, excess skin is removed, the breast tissue is tightened, and the nipples are repositioned to a higher, more natural location. The breast mound is reshaped to improve contour and projection.

Because no implants are added, the focus is entirely on improving shape, position, and firmness, not size.

Outcome:

• Breasts appear higher, perkier, and more youthful
• Nipple position is improved
• Clothing and bras often fit better

Some patients notice a slight reduction in breast size, often up to about one cup size. This happens because loose skin is removed and the breast is reshaped rather than expanded. Upper-breast fullness may also be more subtle compared to implant-based procedures.

Breast Lift With Implants (Augmentation-Mastopexy)

Best for:Women who want both lifted breasts and increased volume, or who have lost fullness after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.

This option is commonly chosen by patients who feel their breasts are both sagging and smaller than they’d like.

What it does:A breast lift with implants combines two procedures into one surgery:

• A lift, which removes excess skin and repositions the breast and nipples
• Breast augmentation, which adds volume using saline or silicone implants

By addressing both sagging and volume loss at the same time, this approach can restore upper-breast fullness, improve cleavage, and create a more balanced overall shape.

Outcome:

• More dramatic reshaping and lift
• Increased breast size and projection
• Improved upper-pole fullness

Because this is a combined procedure, it is more complex than a lift or augmentation alone and requires careful planning to balance shape, size, and tissue safety.

Women who would like to raise their breasts and achieve a more perky, youthful breast appearance are likely candidates for a breast lift. Ideal candidates should meet the following requirements:

Comprehensive Consultation & Assessment

Your journey begins with a private consultation with Dr. Song or Dr. Benyamein. This visit is focused on understanding what changes you’d like to see and whether a breast lift is the right solution for your concerns.

During your consultation, your surgeon will:

• Discuss your goals for breast shape and position
• Evaluate breast volume, skin elasticity, and nipple position
• Review whether a lift alone is appropriate or if additional procedures should be considered
• Explain incision options and expected scarring patterns
• Walk through recovery expectations and activity restrictions

Together, you’ll create a surgical plan tailored to your anatomy and lifestyle, with safety and realistic outcomes as the priority.

The Breast Lift Procedure

Breast lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, though some patients may be candidates for other anesthesia options based on their medical history and surgical plan. You will not feel pain during the procedure.

Incisions are made according to the degree of lift needed and are planned carefully to achieve effective reshaping while minimizing visible scarring. Common incision patterns may involve the areola, a vertical line down to the breast crease, and/or the crease itself.

During the procedure:

• Excess skin is removed
• Breast tissue is reshaped to improve firmness and contour
• Nipples are repositioned to a higher, more youthful location
• Areola size may be adjusted when appropriate

The breasts are lifted to rest higher on the chest wall, and incisions are closed with care to support proper healing.

Breast Lift Recovery Timeline

Recovery experiences vary, but most patients follow a similar general timeline.

Immediately after surgeryYou’ll return home the same day. Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common during the first few days and are typically managed with medication and rest.

First few days

• Swelling and soreness gradually improve
• You’ll begin light walking and daily activities
• A front-closing, wire-free supportive bra is worn continuously, except when bathing

Weeks 1–2

• Many patients feel comfortable returning to desk work
• Light activity can be resumed
• Swelling continues to decrease

Weeks 3–4

• Gradual return to exercise
• Unrestricted physical activity is often allowed around week four, once cleared by your surgeon

You’ll receive personalized post-operative instructions and follow-up appointments to monitor healing and address any concerns.

Your Breast Lift Results

Breast lift results are visible right away, though your breasts will continue to change as swelling resolves and tissues settle.

• Early results show improved shape and elevation
• Over the following weeks, the breasts soften and appear more natural
• Final results continue to refine over several months

With proper care and stable weight, breast lift results can be long-lasting, helping restore a more youthful breast position and contour.

Plastic surgeons in the U.S. now have four main choices of manufacturers of silicone and saline breast implants with FDA approval. At South Coast Plastic Surgery we offer: Motiva, Sientra, Allergan, and Mentor, providing you with the broadest range of high-quality options to achieve your ideal outcome.

Motiva® Round and Ergonomix® implants are now FDA-approved for augmentation (primary and revision). These implants feature the patented SmoothSilk® surface designed to enhance biocompatibility and lower inflammation. They also include an ergonomic gel shell that helps the implant adapt to body position. Clinical trial data show very low complication rates: e.g., less than 1% for capsular contracture or rupture.

At South Coast Plastic Surgery, we now recommend Motiva as our first line option for patients seeking advanced silicone gel implants with the latest safety and ergonomic design.

Sientra silicone gel breast implants are available only to board-certified plastic surgeons and are not available to MD’s who have not gone through the rigorous training to achieve board-certification. Sientra implants are produced with the latest in silicone gel technology, creating an implant that is formable.

These implants have the advantage of retaining their shape whether you are standing up or lying down, which prevents them from rippling or folding in their shells. Sientra implants have an extremely low rupture rate, which reduces the risk of the need for a secondary surgery due to a ruptured implant.

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We also offer Mentor cohesive gel implants, known for their natural feel and proven safety record. Mentor implants provide excellent shape retention and are a popular choice among patients seeking balanced, natural-looking results.

Allergan semi-solid implants offer another premium option, providing a soft, natural feel with excellent durability. These implants are designed to maintain their shape while moving naturally with your body.

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For women younger than 22 years of age, saline implants are the only commercially available option for cosmetic breast augmentation. Some women opt for saline because they are more comfortable with the idea of an implant made with a saltwater solution. Saline implants are not filled until after insertion, so the incisions can be slightly smaller than those needed when placing silicone implants.

What’s right for you?

The majority of women prefer silicone implants as they tend to produce a more natural look and feel. Today’s silicone gel is semi-firm to the touch yet is still malleable and pliant, and closely mimics the bounce and feel of natural breast tissue.

In breast augmentation, the shape of the implant plays a key role in determining your final breast appearance.

‍Teardrop-Shaped Implants

‍Anatomical implants are shaped like a natural breast, with more volume concentrated at the bottom and tapering off toward the top. These teardrop-shaped implants are more popular for women with little natural breast tissue in performing breast reconstruction surgery. Anatomical implants are also the most common implant shape of choice for older women, as the graduated shape more closely resembles the natural appearance of a breast at that stage of life.

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Round Breast Implants

Round implants provide volume throughout the breast, including the upper portion of the breast. While some women seek this aesthetic, as it gives a full, high look, others believe that this upper volume makes the implants look too unnatural.

During your consultation, Dr. Song or Dr. Benyamein will help you determine which implant shape best suits your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Understanding how surgical technique, anatomy, and healing affect breast lift results can help you set realistic expectations and feel confident in your decision.

Achieving Natural-Looking Results

Natural-looking breast lift results come from careful planning and a clear understanding of what you want to change and what you want to preserve. For some women, a lift is about reshaping and elevating their natural breast tissue. For others, it may also involve restoring lost volume while maintaining a soft, balanced appearance.

At South Coast Plastic Surgery, achieving natural breast lift results starts with evaluating your anatomy and goals together. Factors such as skin quality, existing breast volume, nipple position, and chest proportions all influence how the breasts are reshaped and where they rest on the chest wall. When additional fullness is desired, this is discussed thoughtfully so the final result remains proportional and natural-looking.

When planned appropriately, a breast lift can create a firmer, more youthful contour—whether performed on its own or combined with volume enhancement.

• Around the nipple structure (areolae)
• From the bottom of the areola down to the breast crease
• Along the breast crease

Incisions are carefully planned to follow natural contours and are closed with precision to support proper healing and minimize long-term visibility.

Is Scarring a Concern? Scarring is an expected part of any breast lift because skin must be removed to raise and reshape the breast. The extent of scarring depends on the degree of sagging and the incision pattern required to achieve safe, effective lifting.

Scar Healing Timeline As your body heals, scars will change gradually over time:

• Weeks 1–2: Scars may appear red and slightly raised
• Months 1–3: Scars typically soften and begin to flatten
• Around 6 months: Noticeable fading often occurs
• 1–2 years: Scars may continue to lighten and become less noticeable

Following post-operative instructions and recommended scar care plays an important role in how scars mature.

Breast lift surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. However, as with any surgery, there are potential risks to be aware of.

• Bleeding or fluid buildup
• Infection
• Delayed wound healing
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Scarring
• Asymmetry

Your surgeon will review these risks with you in detail during your consultation and explain how they are minimized through careful planning, surgical technique, and follow-up care.

Reducing your risk:

Your safety is a top priority at South Coast Plastic Surgery. Steps taken to support a safe breast lift experience include:

• Thorough pre-operative evaluation
• Precise surgical planning tailored to your anatomy
• Surgery performed in a fully accredited facility
• Detailed post-operative instructions and follow-up care

By choosing an experienced surgical team and following recovery guidelines closely, most patients heal well and are satisfied with their breast lift results.