What is a Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery, also called a mastopexy, addresses sagging breast tissue and excessive skin that commonly occurs as a result of pregnancy, weight changes, and the aging process. The procedure rejuvenates the breasts by elevating the nipple, reshaping the breast gland, and removing excess skin to create a more youthful and beautiful shape.

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Breast Lift Overview

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Why Choose Dr. Zenn?

  • Unparalleled Training, Extraordinary Experience
  • Named one of America's Best Plastic Surgeons 2022 and 2023 by Newsweek for Eyelid Surgery 
  • Plastic Surgery Residency: Harvard / Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Facial Surgery Fellowship: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • General Surgery Residency: Cornell / NY Presbyterian Hospital
  • Medical School: Cornell Medical College (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society)
  • Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society)
  • Former Vice Chief, Full Professor, Duke Plastic Surgery
  • Director of Duke Plastic Surgery Resident training for a decade
  • Has performed thousands of complex facial surgeries over his 25-year career
  • Internationally recognized as a master surgeon by peers
  • Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Dr. Zenn’s Approach

Dr. Zenn always lets his patient’s concerns and goals guide treatment planning. There are many mastopexy techniques, and over his decades-long career, Dr. Zenn has tried them all and has mastered those that have produced great, long-lasting results. By carefully listening to what a patient wants to change about their breasts and how they want them to look after surgery, Dr. Zenn can select the best technique for their needs.

Breast lift surgery is a more complex and technically difficult surgery to perform than breast augmentation. Experience is key during a breast lift procedure. As a breast lift is really a reshaping surgery, it requires adjustments and modifications in real-time that only an experienced and highly proficient surgeon can consistently handle well.

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Dr. Zenn’s Typical Aesthetic Goals are to:

  • Reshape the breasts into a perkier, youthful shape that is attractive, natural-looking, and symmetrical
  • Reposition the breasts to sit higher on the chest in order to create cleavage that fills a bra comfortably and allows for more clothing options
  • Ensure the position and size of the nipple and areola are correct to complement the new shape of the breasts

When a Combination Procedure is Ideal

Breast sagging often coincides with a lack of volume in the upper slope of the breast. In many cases, patients benefit from a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation. The augmentation can also incorporate breast implants or fat grafting. A combination procedure with the addition of breast volume can help patients reclaim the youthful shape they lost over time, or finally achieve the breasts of their dreams.

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Breast Lift Before & After

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A Combination of an Artistic Eye and Technical Expertise

Breast lift surgery is one of Dr. Zenn’s favorite operations because it is artistic – he is literally reshaping the breast. No two patients are alike. A cookie-cutter approach to breast lift surgery does not deliver universally good outcomes. It takes an experienced surgeon with an artistic eye to deliver beautiful breast lift results tailored to each patient.

Dr. Zenn's on the Benefits of a Breast Lift

What Are the Benefits of Breast Lift?

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Your Breast Lift Consultation

During your initial appointment, Dr. Zenn will encourage you to openly share how you feel about the size, shape, and fullness of your breasts. This is an important time for you to talk about what you specifically like and dislike about the way your breasts look, and the changes you would like to achieve.

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Is a Breast Lift for Me?

As part of your consultation for your breast lift in Brier Creek, Dr. Zenn will show you the type of result you should expect with a reshaping procedure only. If you are happy with this proposed outcome, you may be a good candidate for a breast lift only. However, if you prefer that your breasts be larger after your breast lift, you may want to combine the surgery with a breast augmentation.

If a smaller, lifted breast is desired, a breast reduction may be the best route. This is most common when women have pre-existing breast implants they would like removed. Breast lift surgery can correct breast asymmetries as well. Having significant differences between the breasts is normal, and every effort should be made to make your breasts after surgery as similar as possible.

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Your Breast Lift Experience

Immediately before your surgery, Dr. Zenn will review the surgical plan with you and make specialized markings to guide the breast lift. For your safety, Zenn Plastic Surgery patients have their procedures at a state-of-the-art surgical facility, The Plastic Surgery Center (TPSC). A board-certified anesthesiologist (MD) helps patients sleep safely and comfortably throughout the surgery and keeps anesthesia side effects minimal.

During the Surgery Dr. Zenn Will:

  • Remove excess skin and reshape tissues to give your breasts an uplifted, more beautiful shape, augmenting the breasts if desired
  • Reposition your nipples on your breasts and if required, reduce the size of the areolas
  • Ensure that your breasts look natural and symmetrical whether you are lying down or standing upright
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Your Recovery From Breast Lift Surgery

Following your breast lift in Raleigh, you will want to take it easy for 2-3 days before returning to work and light activities. It’s not uncommon to have bruising, swelling, and some tenderness in your breasts and the surrounding areas as you heal. 

Your scars will heal enough to tolerate the stress of full regular gym workouts 2-4 weeks after surgery. Expect to have very minimal swelling, if any at all, by the end of your recovery at two months. Finally, you will find yourself with your much more full and natural-appearing figure.

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Why Choose Dr. Zenn?

  • World-Class Training and Unmatched Experience
  • Named one of America's Best Plastic Surgeons for Eyelid Surgery by Newsweek (2022 & 2023).
  • Plastic Surgery Residency at Harvard / Massachusetts General Hospital.
  • Facial Surgery Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
  • General Surgery Residency at Cornell / NY Presbyterian Hospital.
  • Medical Degree from Cornell Medical College (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society).
  • Undergraduate Degree from the University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society).
  • Former Vice Chief and Full Professor of Duke Plastic Surgery.
  • Directed the Duke Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program for 10 years.
  • Over 25 years of experience, performing thousands of complex facial surgeries.
  • Recognized internationally by peers as a master in plastic surgery.
  • Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
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