Overview
Over time, breasts change in size and shape and may begin to lose their perkiness, causing sagging. These changes may be caused by natural factors such as weight loss, pregnancy, or age. If you have experienced an undesired change in your breasts, you may consider having breast lift surgery at Prima Center for Plastic Surgery in Duluth. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your desired look, as well as learn about the different types of breast lift procedures, and which option may be best for you. We will discuss the cost of a breast lift during your consultation as well. Breast lift surgery can be performed with or without implants and is a decision that will be made after discussing your aesthetic goals. Our Atlanta area cosmetic surgeons have an extensive background in breast surgeries and will ensure that you receive natural looking, beautiful results.
During/After Surgery
Breast lift surgery is performed using general anesthesia at an accredited surgery facility. On average, the procedure may last up to 2 hours. The recovery will vary as some patients will have had a breast lift in combination with a reduction surgery, or with augmentation using implants. Regardless, patients will be encouraged to move around within the first 48 hours. Activities such as carrying heavy objects or any activity that puts pressure on the chest must be avoided. Most patients can resume normal activities within a couple of weeks, but exercise should not be attempted for 6-8 weeks. There will be some scarring associated with this procedure, but with extra care they will heal and fade, and many patients feel they become secondary to a more beautiful breast shape.
Surgical Technique
During a breast lift surgery, incisions will be made around the skin-color line of the areola. It may extend vertically, down to the crease of the breast, or extend further to a horizontal incision following the breast crease direction. How extensive the incision will be depends on how much skin must be removed. The excess skin will be trimmed away and the underlying tissues tightened. Techniques are available that use the breast tissue that hangs below the crease of the breast and use this to re-contour the breast giving improved breast projection and more upper pole fullness. This technique is generally referred to as a dermal pedicle auto augmentation with an internal bra. If you are a candidate for this procedure this will be discussed with you at the time of your breast lift consultation. After the breast tissue is reshaped the remaining excess skin will be contoured. Creating an aesthetic result with a natural result and a well healed incision is the ultimate goal. While no plastic surgeon can guarantee a result or a perfect scar every effort is made to be as proactive as possible when it comes to scarring. Every patient must understand that a scar is as individual to you as your fingerprint. We all have our own unique ability to heal. There are many proven modalities that improve scarring such as taping and the use of silicone gel products. Your plastic surgeon will discuss proactive methods necessary for you to make as good a scar as possible. If you have sufficient natural breast tissue then a breast implant will not be neccessary for you to achieve your aesthetic goals in breast lift surgery. If you have sagging breasts with lack of breast volume then a breast implant can be inserted at the same time to give improved breast projection, shape and upper pole fullness. In most cases we can use our Vectra 3D imaging system to help you visualize your projected result with and without an implant. If an implant is needed it can be placed either in the submuscular or subfascial position. The positioning of the implant is a choice that you will make with the assistance of your plastic surgeon. As always we will listen to your desires and together we will make decisions to help you achieve your ultimate goal.
Incision Types
Women who contemplate undergoing breast lift surgery often wonder what the incisions will look like and what to expect after the procedure. Unfortunately it is not possible to perform a breast lift without making incisions. All of the incisions are located around the areola and on the lower pole of the breast. These incisions and their resulting scars are easily concealed by your bra and bathing suite top. The extent of the incisions will definitely vary depending on how severe your breast sagging is and how much breast tissue is located below the crease under the breast. At the time of your personal consultation with our plastic surgeons your breasts will be examined and measurements will be taken. This examination will help us determine the type of breast lift that is best suited to your unique anatomy. The most common incisions are the following:
- Incision made along the line surrounding the areola;
- Incision made along the line surrounding the areola, plus a vertical incision down to the natural crease below the breast;
- Incision made along the line surrounding the areola, plus a vertical incision down to the natural crease below the breast, and another horizontal line following the direction of the breast fold.
Breast Lift Reviews
I am so pleased to have the opportunity to give a review from a husband’s perspective of the amazing work that Dr. Kumbla did for my wife. Dr. Kumbla’s surgical wisdom, amazing warmth, clear communication, and compassionate care, combined to create a true white glove experience for us throughout our journey with her. But let’s start at the beginning.Six months before my wife’s 50th birthday, she announced to me that she wanted to look fit and fabulous on her special day and wanted to have a breast lift and augmentation. From my perspective my wife was more than adequately endowed and looked amazing. From her perspectives, however, she wanted to “look nicer” on vacation in her bathing suits.She researched other doctors, but Dr. Kumbla (or Dr. K as we call her) came highly recommended by someone in her medical spa. In our first meeting with Dr. K, we immediately understood why. She started by asking us lots of questions to better understand our why, our vision, and the things that were important to us. When we asked questions, she didn’t respond with “doctor speak”: the typical medical jargon that would always make you feel like they were the expert, and you were the idiot. Instead, she explained things in simple and clear language, responded with compassion, and assured us that she would be with us every step of the way. We had no idea, at the time, what those words really meant and how different a medical experience we were about to have.To start, scheduling the surgery was not a simple task. We are avid travelers, taking trips 5-6 times a year, so scheduling the surgery between trips was like trying to thread a very fine needle. Dr. K’s staff did the impossible, they were able to juggle their surgery calendar to allow our surgery to occur days after one trip while allowing the required time before the next. We were so pleased.During our pre-op visit, we walked away with all the clarity we needed to be fully prepared for the surgery and the post-surgery healing. We also had the final discussions about size and shape, and Dr. K even encouraged us to share pictures with her of the desired end point.Based on the guidance we received from the pre-op visit, we made changes to our home to make those first two weeks post-surgery much more comfortable for my wife.Though the surgery was over five hours, Dr. K’s staff kept me notified every step of the way as I kept myself distracted in the waiting room working on my computer. When Dr. K came out and described to me the success of the surgery, I must confess to dropping a tear or two of grateful relief.Dr. K personally called the next morning to check in on the patient. Then again 2 days later. She happened to be in the area one afternoon in the first week, and she came by for a house call! (What doctor does this these days?)An additional nice feature of Dr. K’s approach is that you pay one price, and all the pre- and post-surgery activities are included. She wants you to be happy and she does everything she can pre- and post-surgery to make that happen.At this point, we are over four months post-surgery, and my wife couldn’t be happier with the results and with the journey getting. Dr. K and her staff create a truly handholding, white glove experience that is way beyond the current practice.We are so pleased.
Dr. Song is an outstanding and extremely talented surgeon. I am an older school teacher that wanted a breast lift with some added fullness. I was so worried the result would be " too big." Dr. Song listened attentively and allowed me to share pictures so he knew exactly what I wanted. He texted with me during recovery when I had questions. I truly felt he cared about me. I can see why now he is voted one of the top plastic surgeons in the ATL. I highlighted recommend him! My results are EXACTLY what I asked for.
So happy with the care I received at Prima - they took excellent care of me 15 yrs ago for saline implants and it was time to remove and lift - Dr. Sakharpe was fantastic- skilled surgeon with excellent bedside manner. I’m thrilled with results and healing now 4 months out. His staff is kind and supportive easy to get in touch with for questions and follow up.
I received a referral from another patient. I had my consultation with Dr. Song for a breast lift in 2024 and it was a major change for me in my appearance. I told Dr. Song how pleased I was and I would be back. Fast forward to 2025 I had a tummy tuck in October. Recovery was great and I’m overjoyed with my results. Please don’t think twice it’s well worth it and you will be happy.
I am here to give Prima Center, Dr.Song and his amazing staff their most HIGH PRAISES!!! I am 3 months post op and could not be more pleased with my results. I can’t wait to see myself in 6months heck even in a 1year. Dr. Song was and is so polite, respectful, kind, and VERY THOROUGH from the first day we met. He always has a smile on his face and very welcoming. EVERY TIME I see him. His staff represents him very well. Meaning they are welcoming, patient, polite, and very detailed with you. The day of my procedure I didn’t have any bad vibes at all. I think that comes with a good practice, knowledgeable doctors, and God on your side. I was very calm, the staff made sure of that too :). I absolutely loved my experience. I was speaking to the anesthesiologist one minute then I was waking up in the recovery room the next. Very, very pleased!!! I can’t say that enough. I am a mom of two kids born from C-sections. I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair, a breast reduction with a lift and liposuction. My scars healed beautifully, very thin scars. I’m sure in a year you won’t be able to really see them at all. The after care from surgery from MY experience was amazing. I wasn’t in pain at all really. I was up and walking around that same day. If I had any questions at anytime Dr. Song would respond to my text messages or phone calls immediately. He also checked in on me as well. Loved that. Would I do this again if I had to…a MILLION times more I sure would!!! I could not have asked for a better doctor, practice, or experience. Thank you Dr. Song and staff.
55
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Plan Your Procedure
Recovery Time
1-2 weeks
Average Procedure Time
2.5-3 hours
Post-op Follow-up
5-7 days
Procedure Recovery Location
Out-Patient
Featured Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
Lift or Augmentation?
It depends on the patient’s aesthetic goals and the current breast form. A breast lift will help correct a sagging, drooping breast. Many times after this surgery, patients are happy with their breast size because the lift alone creates a fuller breast. If the patient wishes to have more volume and increase the breast size, implants will resolve this issue. Before surgery, a thorough consultation and assessment will be performed, and your plastic surgeon will recommend if a lift alone is all that is needed, or if an augmentation and a lift may be done as a combination surgery.
Nipple Repositioning?
It is common in a breast lift procedure that the nipple is repositioned so that it looks proportional to the newly shaped breast. When excess skin is trimmed away, a portion of an overly stretched areola (the colored skin around the nipple) is simultaneously trimmed away. The goal is for the nipple and areola to be within a normal size and position. It is important to know that the nipple is not completely detached from the underlying breast tissue it is just repositioned to a new and more youthful position.
How Bad Is Scarring?
When incisions are made to trim away the skin, scars are an inevitable part of the process. Plastic surgeons are experts when it comes to minimizing scarring with precise techniques when it comes to incisions and suturing. Every effort is made to create the best possible scar. How a person forms a scar is as personal to them as is their fingerprint. The trick to plastic surgery is to place the scar along the lines of relaxed skin tension. Decreasing tension on the scar by sound suturing techniques as well as the use of surgical taping and support bras all aid in helping each patient form the best scar that is possible. A post-surgery scar care program will be provided, and patients are strongly encouraged to follow the plan so that healing is healthy and quick.
