Stoker Plastic Surgery: David Stoker, MD
4640 Admiralty Way #1000
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 300-1779
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
A breast lift helps Los Angeles patients restore a youthful shape to their breasts following pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Board-certified plastic surgeon and breast enhancement expert Dr. David Stoker rejuvenates a sagging bust with refined techniques honed over thousands of surgeries.
To discuss your Los Angeles breast lift options, simply request a consultation online or call us at (310) 300-1779.
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A breast lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that elevates and reshapes sagging, flattened breasts by removing excess skin. I also enhance the size and shape of the nipples and areolas, if desired. Breast shapes vary greatly, and patients need individualized plans for optimal breast lift results. Operating on thousands of breasts has allowed me to refine my techniques for achieving consistently beautiful results and I apply my skills to each of my breast lift cases.
Many of my breast lift patients do not require implants because I use advanced techniques that allow me to achieve the effect of a small implant using their own tissue. This option is a big advantage for those who want more upper breast fullness without an actual increase in breast volume. However, for patients who want bigger breasts, combining breast augmentation with a lift is often the best choice.
| For Your Breast Lift: |
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| He’s published a number of research papers on emerging concepts in breast lift techniques and safety. |
| He’s been featured throughout the media, including The New York Times and NBC’s “Today Show.” |
Breast lift techniques vary with the goal of the procedure. One of my areas of specialization is minimizing the incisions needed to create a significant improvement for the patient. The basic choices for types of breast lift include the following:
The crescent lift results in a semicircular scar that is camouflaged at the upper aspect of the areola. The crescent lift may provide up to 2 centimeters of elevation of the areola. It is best for small lifts or cases where symmetry may be improved by adjusting one or both areolas.
The circumareolar lift results in a scar that is camouflaged around the outer aspect of the areola. It allows adjustment in the size and position of the areolas, but does not provide much lift for the lower portion of the breast.
The lollipop breast lift has a scar that is concealed around the circumference of the areola, as well as a vertical scar on the lower portion of the breast. This procedure gives a significant amount of lift to the lower portions of the breast, as well as the nipple. It allows me to transform a droopy and “boxy” breast into a round and perky breast.
Also called the inverted-T lift, this technique is essentially the lollipop with an additional incision underneath the breast. It allows me to maximize the amount of lift and treat substantial droopiness of the breast. I most commonly it for women who have a large amount of excess breast skin, typically after significant changes in breast size following breastfeeding or weight loss.
The size and position of the areola (the area of colored skin around the nipple) are important considerations when I evaluate a patient for a breast lift. Because most candidates for breast lift surgery complain of nipples that point downward rather than forward, it is typically necessary during surgery to raise the nipple and areola to more youthful positions. I may also make the areola smaller to achieve optimal proportions with the newly tight, perky breast.
During this process, the nipple stays attached to its nerve structure within the breast, so any loss of sensation following surgery is usually temporary. As the incisions heal, full sensation is typically restored.
Most of my patients who have breast lifts are mothers and also benefit from a tummy tuck and liposuction to reclaim their pre-pregnancy figures. We call this combination of procedures the Mommy Makeover.
Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.
Why Choose Dr. StokerRecuperation after breast lift surgery is often easier than recuperation after other types of surgery. This is because breast lift doesn’t affect the underlying muscles, bones, or organs. It’s a relatively superficial procedure. However, breast lift is still surgery—and therefore requires a period of recuperation.
Typically, breast lift patients feel comfortable returning to work within 1 week—some after just a few days, depending on the specific details of their surgery. No drainage tubes are necessary after a breast lift. However, each patient will need to wear a special support bra to protect the breasts while they heal.
After about 1 week, I remove the sutures at a follow-up appointment. Although the incisions will be closed at this point, they won’t yet be fully healed. It’s important to closely follow your aftercare instructions to ensure your incisions heal to flat, subtle scars.
After about 1 month, the incisions are generally considered fully healed. At this point, patients can return to most of their more vigorous previous activities, including exercise and swimming. By protecting your incisions from the sun and caring for them based on your post-op instructions, you can do your part to ensure your scars are as discreet as possible.
I do not typically remove breast tissue as part of the breast lift operation. Because the lifted breast is tighter and perkier, it actually appears larger even though its volume is similar to before surgery. Bras fit differently (and usually better) when the breast is reshaped into a more youthful form.
For young adults who are bothered by particularly droopy breasts, it may be beneficial to have a breast lift before pregnancy. In more subtle cases of breast droopiness, it’s reasonable to wait until after children to have a breast lift.
Most patients are still able to breastfeed following my breast lift operation because I do not remove the nipple. By leaving the breast ducts intact, the breast maintains its functional structure. It’s important to note, however, that some women have difficulty breastfeeding whether or not they have had surgery.
The breast lift is usually performed once in a lifetime. Just like all parts of our bodies, however, the breasts will continue to age. They will always look better than if the lift were never performed at all. It is possible to perform the breast lift again in future years if the patient desires a perkier shape.
Complications tend to be minor and resolve over the course of a month or two with appropriate treatment. Possible complications include bleeding, infection or slow wound healing. I prefer to see my patients often following surgery in order to minimize the frequency and significance of complications.
I leave the nipple attached to the deep structures of the breast, including nerves, so that nipple sensation is preserved for most patients.
I routinely make the areola diameter smaller to maintain optimal proportions with the newly perky breast. It is possible for me to vary to the diameter of the areola depending on patient preference.
Improved symmetry is a goal for many of my breast lift patients.
The best way for patients to understand their options is in a thorough consultation with me. I will explain how the different procedures may apply to them and what I recommend for their particular case. I’ll also demonstrate the result I’d expect with each of the procedure options. For some patients, I may recommend that breast lift be combined with a breast augmentation or breast reduction.
The breast lift surgery is an area of expertise for me. My patient population reflects a cross-section of Southern California, and I have a broad range of experience with different ages, ethnicities, and sizes of patients. I also have extensively published research on topics in breast cosmetic surgery, sharing my experience and techniques with surgeons all over the world.
To learn more about breast lift surgery, request a consultation with me online or call my office at (310) 300-1779 to schedule your personal consultation.
Our expertise extends beyond plastic surgery. We offer an extensive range of non-surgical treatments administered by our talented, experienced team of aesthetic providers under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker.
If you have a treatment in mind, review our complete offering of non-surgical services. If you need a little help deciding, narrow down your options with our interactive treatment planner.
