The Science of the Breast Lift

The mastopexy is designed specifically to combat ptosis, which is another term for the sagging and drooping of the breasts. Women from all ages experience ptosis; from young women whose thin skin cannot support overly large breasts, to older women, whose inelastic skin is affected by gravity.

After pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women experience a combination of loss of fat and loss of milk-producing glandular tissue and develop loose, stretched out skin from lactation—all conditions that make sagging breasts much worse.

Continue reading to learn more about breast lift in San Jose, CA, or contact us online to schedule your consultation with our experts today!

History of the Breast Lift

The accounts of the Byzantine Greek physician, Paulus of Aegina, show that the mastopexy, also known as the breast lift, had been performed as early as around 625-690 AD. While early records show that for hundreds of years they were completed in the scope of reducing breast size, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the modern foundations for mastopexy techniques were established to specifically repair breast sagging. In the following centuries, techniques were developed to remove excess skin, breast tissue, and move the areola to a more youthful position.

As time went by, the breast lift underwent further refinement; a traditional breast lift still involved a procedure that created an incision shaped like an anchor or an upside down “T,” and to this day many plastic surgeons use this technique. However, this approach only addresses the skin envelope while somewhat ignoring the deeper breast tissue, causing the breast tissue to droop as the patient ages.

In the 90s, surgeons in Europe such as Daniel Marchac and Madeline Lejour found a way to perform a breast lift using a single vertical incision, giving sufficient access to the breast tissue, creating better results, and resulting in less scarring. Later on, Dr. Ruth Graf, from Brazil, pioneered a technique in reshaping breast tissue from a flat pancake shape to a rounder, more voluminous shape. By dividing breast tissue and moving it around, Dr. Graf found a way to create a narrower breast mound with superior projection. This technique has formed the foundation of the auto-implant technique that Dr. Zeidler has developed.

A lift should do more than merely tighten skin; a long-lasting, exquisite breast lift should have a strong foundation built on tissue rearrangement— it should rebuild and reshape the breast completely. To that end, Aesthetx combines advanced technology and sophisticated techniques to create a beautiful breast lift that can stand the test of time.

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Breast Lift Before & After

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The Auto-Augmentation Technique

Dr. Zeidler has made her own stellar contributions to the procedure of the breast lift; she has pioneered some of the most advanced techniques for the breast lift, like the auto augmentation breast lift with the short scar, also known as the auto implant technique. Traditional breast lift techniques don’t address the “upper pole” of the breast, instead of leaving an unbalanced distribution of fullness in the lower part of the breast. For those who desire fullness at the top of the breast, the auto-augmentation or auto-implant technique uses tissue taken from the same breast and rearranges it; in a sophisticated technique, a wedge of breast tissue is taken from the lower breast then tucked up and under the breast tissue and moved to the top of the breast. This emphasizes a more projected breast mound because the tissue is stacked on top of itself and the tissue on the bottom of the breast is pushed together to create lift.

Aesthetically, the auto-augmentation technique reshapes the breast with more lift, great projection, and a nicely rounded shape. The short scar technique, also known as a minimal scar or the vertical pattern, also leaves discreet scars. This short scar technique leaves scars that look like a small lollipop, with an incision going around the areola and a small vertical scar going down the lower part of the breast.

Always one to apply the latest technology, Dr. Zeidler has further enhanced this procedure by being one of the first to incorporate a biological scaffold called a tissue matrix; this tissue matrix acts as a kind of hammock to support the redistributed tissue from below.

You can rest assured that our breast lift surgeons are experts on this technique; along with their extensive experience, they’ve been called to present their techniques to their peers all over the world and have written extensively on the subject, including a book chapter on the auto implant technique. At Aesthetx, a breast lift won’t just turn back time; it will create results just as beautiful as breast augmentation for women who don’t want to resort to implants.

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Breast Lift with Fat Transfer


To perfect your breast lift results, a fat transfer can provide extra volume, smooth out the breast mound, and provide fullness to the auto implant technique. This is a great procedure for women who want larger breasts without the use of breast implants. A fat transfer uses your own fatty tissue which is removed by liposuction from unwanted areas. The fat is carefully cleaned and strategically placed into areas in the breast to create more volume or more cleavage. The results can be comparable to the dramatic effects of a breast augmentation with implants. A breast lift with fat transfer can give you ultimate control in shaping your silhouette.

Breast Lift with Implants

For dramatic fullness and volume, Aesthetx offers the breast lift with implants, which is tissue rearrangement along with the placement of implants. The combination of these procedures is used for women who desire breast augmentation but also want to address a substantial droop in their breast tissues. The implants are inserted to create more volume and the lift is performed to ensure the nipples are lifted into a more aesthetic position; this technique ensures the breast has a round and youthful appearance.

We also offer the latest techniques in breast enhancement, including subfascial breast augmentation, where the implant is put over the muscle but under a strong sheath that surrounds the muscle. Subfascial breast augmentation offers a natural shape while providing beautiful projection and lowering the risks of certain complications associated with breast implants.

We emphasize building a strong structure for our procedures at Aesthetx, which is why we often recommend using a tissue matrix to create a biological scaffold of support for the implants. This is commonly recommended when the procedure involves both a lift and the placement of implants. With the extra support, we reduce the risk of complications associated with implants while increasing the lifespan of the breast enhancement results.

Breast Lift Campbell FAQ

Does a breast lift require implants?

Will my breast lift make my breasts smaller?

Can I breastfeed after getting a breast lift?

Should I postpone my breast lift until after having children?

How long does recovery take after a breast lift?

Can a breast lift be combined with other plastic surgery procedures?

Will I ever need another breast lift?

How much does a breast lift cost in San Jose?

Does a breast lift require implants?

A breast lift creates stunning results with or without implants. Each breast lift is custom built to complement your natural anatomy. During your breast lift consultation, we’ll begin by listening to your goals and concerns.

From there, we’ll provide you with our expert guidance and advice about what technique best suits your needs. In general, implants are the best option if you’re looking to both rejuvenate your breasts and increase cup size.

Will my breast lift make my breasts smaller?

At Aesthetx, Dr. Zeidler has perfected the highly advanced breast lift auto augmentation technique. Tissue isn’t removed from the breast in this method. Instead, your surgeon will expertly reposition breast tissue to reshape the breasts with greater lift, projection, and a beautifully rounded shape.

Post breast lift, your tighter and perkier breasts will look larger, even though their volume is nearly the same as before surgery.

Can I breastfeed after getting a breast lift?

Breast lifts generally do not have any adverse effects on a patient’s ability to breastfeed. During surgery, your breast ducts remain fully intact, maintaining functional integrity. That said, it’s important to note that many women face difficulty breastfeeding with or without breast surgery.

Should I postpone my breast lift until after having children?

There’s no black and white answer to this question, and every woman feels differently. A breast lift won’t have any negative effect on pregnancy or breastfeeding. So, it really depends on your personal goals and comfort.

If you’re a younger woman who wants perkier, rounder breasts, this procedure can provide stunning results. That said, getting pregnant will change your anatomy, and having children may affect your long-term results.

How long does recovery take after a breast lift?

Generally, patients can return to work between 7-10 days after a breast lift. While getting up and moving is very important following surgery, your incisions will take around a month to fully heal. It’s vital to avoid exercise, heavy lifting, or other strenuous activities until you have fully recovered.

If you have any questions about the recovery timeline, we’ll provide all the info you need during your consultation.

Can a breast lift be combined with other plastic surgery procedures?

Absolutely. Breast lifts pair beautifully with breast augmentation, fat transfer, liposuction, and any number of non-surgical procedures. Aesthetx also offers Mommy Makeovers, one-of-a-kind treatment plans that combine several procedures into one bundle–and one recovery period.

Generally, the mommy makeover combines a breast lift, tummy tuck, and often several other smaller treatments like BOTOX® or dermal fillers.

Will I ever need another breast lift?

Most of Aesthetx’s San Jose area breast lift patients only need one breast lift during their lifetime. While you’ll see a significant and permanent improvement in your breasts’ appearance, a breast lift does not stop the aging process. Over time, your breasts naturally begin to become slightly more slack, but will still look better than if you hadn’t received a lift.

If, in the future, you decide you could benefit from a second breast lift, we can absolutely discuss your options to achieve perkier, youthful breasts.

How much does a breast lift cost in San Jose?

It’s hard to say exactly how much your procedure will cost, considering the number of factors that go into your breast lift. We do everything we can to pair the highest quality results with the most cost-effective methods. We can give you a better estimate after your initial consultation.

Aesthetx is renowned for extremely informative and in-depth consultations. To schedule your private consultation for a breast lift and/or augmentation or to learn more about the procedures, contact Aesthetx by visiting HERE or calling (408) 412-5909.

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