A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin, tightening tissue, and repositioning the nipple higher. At Santa Barbara Face & Body in Santa Barbara, California, a board-certified plastic surgeon scales the incision pattern to the degree of sagging, and combines the lift with an implant or a reduction when size, not only position, is a goal.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, corrects breast ptosis, when the breasts have dropped and the nipple sits low, by removing stretched skin, tightening the tissue, and moving the nipple-areolar complex to a higher, more youthful position. It does not by itself change breast volume; it is combined with augmentation to add fullness or reduction to reduce it. The incision pattern is matched to how much the breast has sagged.
What it does
A lift addresses position and shape, the things that change even when size does not.
- Raises the breast. Repositions dropped breast tissue higher on the chest for a firmer, more youthful contour.
- Repositions the nipple. Moves a low or downward-pointing nipple to a natural height, and reduces a stretched areola if needed.
- Reshapes. Tightens loose skin and reshapes the tissue so the breast looks perkier and rounder.
A lift changes position and shape; when size also matters, it is combined with an implant to add volume or a reduction to reduce it.
How it works
A lift is usually an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess skin, lifts and reshapes the underlying tissue, repositions the nipple and areola, and tightens the remaining skin, placing incisions where they can be concealed. Results are visible immediately and settle over the following months as the breast relaxes into its new shape.
The incision pattern scales to the amount of sagging, from a lift around the areola for mild droop to a fuller pattern for significant sag. The right technique is chosen for your degree of ptosis and your goals.
Which lift, and why it is a real choice
The incision pattern is a genuine trade between how much can be corrected and how much scar it leaves, matched to your degree of sag.
| Pattern | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Periareolar (around the areola) | A small upward shift, least scar | Mild sag, minor repositioning |
| Vertical (“lollipop”) | Around the areola and down to the fold | Moderate sag needing reshaping |
| Inverted-T (“anchor”) | Adds a fold incision for full reshaping | Significant sag and excess skin |
| Lift plus implant | Position plus added upper fullness | Sag with lost volume |
| Lift plus reduction | Position plus smaller size | Sag with heaviness |
More correction generally means a longer incision, so the choice balances the result you want against the scar. A board-certified surgeon recommends the least pattern that will actually achieve your goal.
What a lift works with
This is what the consultation assesses, because the degree and type of sag guide the plan.
| What you notice | What it means | The plan |
|---|---|---|
| Nipple sits at or below the crease | True ptosis | A lift, pattern scaled to the sag |
| Breasts deflated and dropped | Volume loss plus sag | A lift with an implant |
| Heavy breasts that also sag | Size plus sag | A lift with a reduction |
| One breast lower than the other | Positional asymmetry | A lift on one or both sides |
| Sag mild, some fullness wanted | Minor droop | An implant alone may suffice |
The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon reads your ptosis and volume together and builds one plan, lift alone, or lift with volume added or reduced, that fits your body.
Why Santa Barbara Face & Body
A lift is where surgical judgment shows, in choosing the least incision that achieves the goal and in reading whether volume needs to be added or reduced at the same time. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he plans a lift around your degree of sag and your volume goals, so the result is a natural, restored shape rather than an over-tightened one. Proportion and a result that lasts come first.
- Have breasts that have dropped, with the nipple sitting low
- Want a firmer, more youthful position and shape
- Are at a stable weight and in good general health
- Understand a lift reshapes position, and volume is a separate decision
- Are planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, which can undo the result
- Want a larger or smaller size, which pairs a lift with volume change
- Are focused mainly on volume, where an implant alone may suffice
- Smoke or have conditions that affect healing
What to expect
Dr. Polynice examines the position of your breasts and nipples and how much skin has stretched, and asks whether size matters to you as well as position. He explains the incision pattern your degree of sag calls for, whether to add or reduce volume, and the scars and recovery honestly. You leave with a plan scaled to your sag and clear expectations about shape, scars, and how the breast settles.
What it costs
A lift is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the incision pattern your case needs and whether volume is added or reduced. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled.
- What it is
- Mastopexy, raising and reshaping sagging breasts
- What it treats
- Breast ptosis, low nipple position, loose skin
- Does not
- Change size on its own, pair with volume for that
- Recovery
- Outpatient, shape settles over months
- Performed by
- Dr. Alain Polynice, board-certified plastic surgeon
Breast Lift in Santa Barbara, CA
A breast lift restores a higher, firmer position — helping you feel comfortable and confident in your shape again. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice plans each lift around your proportions, with careful technique that keeps scars discreet and results natural. If time or life changes have taken a toll, we’d love to talk through what’s possible. Fill out the form below or call us at (805) 764-9074. We’d be glad to meet you.