Breast Lift with Implants

Do your cosmetic goals include both enhancing the volume of your breasts and correcting breast sag? If so, you may benefit from a breast lift with implants, which combines breast augmentation and breast lift surgery to improve the shape, size, symmetry, and positioning of the breasts simultaneously. The procedure is designed to improve drooping while placing saline or silicone breast implants to reshape the breast contours.

Dr. David L. Durst, our board-certified plastic surgeon, tailors the combination surgery according to your goals. A breast lift with implants can be an excellent treatment option for women who are bothered by mild to severe breast sag, and who want bigger, fuller breasts.

• What is a Breast Lift with Implants?
• Breast Lift with Implants Benefits
• Breast Lift with Implants Candidates
• Implant Options for Augmentation Mastopexy
• Breast Lift with Implants Consultation
• Breast Lift with Implants Procedure
• Breast Lift with Implants Recovery
• Breast Lift with Implants Results
• Breast Lift with Implants Scars
• Breast Lift with Implants Cost
• Breast Lift with Implants and Breastfeeding
• Breast Lift with Implants Safety
• Non-Surgical Augmentation-Mastopexy
• BAM Alternatives
• Breast Lift with Implants FAQs

What is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) with Implants?

A breast lift with implants (medically referred to as a breast augmentation-mastopexy) is a procedure designed to increase breast volume while lifting the breasts to a more rejuvenated, youthful positioning. While a traditional breast augmentation can improve the breast shape and increase fullness, it cannot fix breast sagging. Similarly, a breast lift can reshape the breasts and correct sag, but does not enhance breast volume. Rather than undergoing two separate procedures to achieve your goals, a breast lift with implants is intended to provide the benefits of both a breast augmentation and a breast lift.

What Can a Breast Lift with Implants Do for Me?

As a dynamic procedure designed to address many different aesthetic concerns, a breast lift with implants can significantly improve volume, shape, symmetry, and projection to achieve your desired silhouette. While the benefits yielded will vary for each patient depending on their unique anatomy and reasons for surgery, a breast augmentation-mastopexy can generally:

• Increase breast volume and upper breast pole fullness
• Correct asymmetry and improve the breasts’ overall contour
• Elevate the breasts to a more youthful location on the chest wall
• Minimize breast sag by removing excess skin and tightening remaining tissue
• Reposition and/or resize the nipple-areolar complexes

An augmentation-mastopexy can also be an effective solution to address the effects of gravity, genetics, weight fluctuation, childbearing, and the natural aging process on the breasts. The procedure is also a popular treatment option for a Mommy Makeover, which refers to a series of cosmetic surgeries that aim to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy figure.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift with Implants?

Ideal candidates for a breast lift with implants include individuals who:

• Wish to achieve an increased breast size in conjunction with resolving breast sag
• Desire comprehensive improvement in breast volume, shape, symmetry, and projection
• Seek to restore a pre-pregnancy breast appearance

If you’ve experienced increased skin laxity and a deficit in breast volume as a result of pregnancy or nursing, you will likely benefit greatly from the augmentation-mastopexy procedure. During a consultation, Dr. Durst can review your medical history and assess your aesthetic goals to help you determine the most effective treatment for you. It is recommended that women who plan to have children or lose significant weight in the future postpone the procedure, as the physical changes that accompany childbearing or weight fluctuation can undo the results of a breast lift with implants.

Types of Breast Implants

Dr. Durst offers saline and silicone implants at our practice, which are two of the most popular and widely utilized breast implants in circulation. Both options can produce a very natural-looking breast enhancement, and the best type of implant for your needs will depend on your goals for the outcome.

Saline Implants

Saline breast implants consist of a sterile saline solution encased in a silicone shell. These implants have the ability to be filled after insertion into the breast pocket, which may allow for a smaller incision and post-surgical scar compared to other techniques. Saline implants can also be very safe in cases of an implant tear or rupture. While this complication happens very rarely, the saltwater fluid inside of a saline implant is often harmlessly absorbed by the body in the event of rupture.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are made of a cohesive silicone gel inside of a silicone shell. They tend to more closely resemble the feel of a natural breast when compared to other implant options and may be less prone to implant rippling. While saline implants visibly lose shape when a leak or tear occurs, silicone implants typically keep their form. Ultrasounds or periodic MRIs are usually recommended to ensure that a patient’s silicone implants are still in good condition.

Consultation Process for Breast Augmentation-Mastopexy (BAM)

During your consultation, you and Dr. Durst will work together to develop the best plan for your combined procedure. In some cases, it may be necessary to undergo one procedure initially and then pursue the second surgery at a later stage. This varies from patient to patient, and Dr. Durst can speak with you about an expected timeframe for the treatment process once he evaluates your concerns in person. At your first appointment, Dr. Durst will ask you what you hope to improve and listen to your goals to develop a personalized BAM procedure for you. You will “try on” different implant sizes to see how each option affects your body frame and silhouette, and Dr. Durst will help you determine the right size and type of implants to achieve your desired results. The most optimal surgical technique (incision) and location for the implant pocket (over-the-muscle vs. under-the-muscle) will be determined. Dr. Durst will also ask you about your medical history to help ensure you’re a good candidate for a breast lift with implants.

How is the Breast Lift with Augmentation Procedure Performed?

A breast lift with implants is an outpatient procedure that utilizes general anesthesia. Depending on your personal needs, the augmentation plus lift can be performed in one operation or as separate surgeries. At the time of your consultation, you and Dr. Durst will determine the most beneficial implant type, placement position (above or below the pectoral muscle), and incision location for your desired aesthetic.

During surgery, Dr. Durst usually places incisions around the areola, encircling the areola and extending downward towards the breast crease, or in an anchor-shaped fashion around the areola and along the natural contour of the inframammary fold. The ideal incision location will depend on the extent of lift necessary to achieve your desired outcome. Dr. Durst takes great care to minimize the amount of visible post-surgical scarring. First, he will perform the breast lift portion of the procedure by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue. Dr. Durst will then create a pocket for implant placement and subsequently perform reduction or resizing of the nipple-areolar complexes, if necessary. Depending on the complexity of your treatment plan, the procedure generally takes between two and three hours.

What is Recovery Like for a Breast Augmentation with a Lift?

The breast lift with implants procedure generally requires approximately one week of downtime, with most patients returning to work and daily routines within one to two weeks. Strenuous activity and aerobic exercise should be avoided for a few weeks or until such activities are cleared by Dr. Durst, as the incisions should not be exposed to excessive abrasion or motion. It is normal for individuals to experience temporary bruising, swelling, and tenderness after surgery. This should subside as the healing process progresses.

After a breast augmentation-mastopexy, patients generally report immense satisfaction at their improved body contour and younger-looking breast appearance. Results of surgery can be immediately noticeable, but the final outcome will be fully realized as the implants settle into their final position.

How Long Do Results From a Breast Lift with Implants Last?

After surgery, results are often noticeable for at least 10 to 15 years (if not longer). Although nothing will stop the natural aging process, your breasts will always look more youthful than they would have if you didn’t pursue a breast lift with implants. Breast implants, themselves, are not lifetime devices so you may find that you want to upgrade your old implants for a newer size, type, or shape in the future. Alternatively, you may develop scar tissue around your implants or need to address another complication, which breast revision surgery can help correct. Some patients do not experience any issues with their breast implants and never have a need for additional surgery. 

All in all, the longevity of a breast lift with implants can outlast decades, but each patient experiences different results. In most cases, you can prolong the outcome by living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a stable weight, and avoiding pregnancy/nursing after your procedure. 

Will I Have Scars From a Breast Lift with Implants?

Although some degree of scarring from any surgical procedure is inevitable, Dr. Durst takes great care to place all incisions in the natural lines and contours of the body whenever possible to reduce the visibility of your scars. Depending on the type of breast lift technique necessary to achieve your goals, scars from an augmentation-mastopexy may blend into the borders of the areola; however, it is more common for patients to have a horizontal scar along the breast crease with or without an additional vertical scar below the nipples. Dr. Durst will let you know what you can expect from your procedure during a consultation.

How Much Does a Breast Lift with Implants Cost?

The total cost of this combination surgery is determined based on the various details of your treatment plan. As with all surgical procedures, the price of treatment is subjective for every individual. Each patient will receive a personalized quote after their unique needs are assessed in a consultation. To ensure you are well-informed about the procedure, we have provided a brief primer on what kind of expenses you can expect to factor into a breast lift with implants.

Some elements that can influence your cost estimate include the geographic location where the procedure is performed, the experience of the plastic surgeon, the type of implants chosen, and the surgical technique utilized. Generally speaking, the cost of an augmentation-mastopexy also consists of fees for anesthesia, the operating facility, pre- and post-operative care, and any necessary lab work.

Dr. Durst is committed to accommodating the diverse needs of all of our patients and accepts a wide range of payment methods, including the flexible financing options provided by CareCredit^®—the premier healthcare finance company in the nation. Please do not hesitate to raise any questions or concerns about cost with a member of our team.

Can I Breastfeed After a Breast Augmentation Mastopexy?

While it’s certainly possible to breastfeed after a breast augmentation mastopexy, it’s important to note that not all women have the ability to breastfeed in the first place. In any case, be sure to communicate your desires with Dr. Durst so he can tailor the procedure according to your needs. Depending on the extent of lift necessary to achieve your goals, Dr. Durst may be able to perform your breast surgery while avoiding the nerves, blood vessels, and milk ducts involved with breastfeeding. From an aesthetic standpoint however, Dr. Durst generally recommends postponing a breast lift with implants until you have no future plans for pregnancy and/or nursing. These factors can re-stretch the skin and lead to a loss in breast volume, potentially altering your final results.

Is a Breast Lift with Implants Safe?

Yes, breast augmentation-mastopexy has been researched extensively and the procedure is considered safe for patients who are good candidates for surgery. Depending on factors unique to each individual, Dr. Durst may determine that performing the procedures in two separate surgeries may provide a better outcome. During your consultation, Dr. Durst can give you a more detailed understanding of the best treatment plan to safely achieve your desired results. 

We encourage you to maximize your safety by enlisting a qualified plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) to perform your augmentation-mastopexy. Only surgeons who undergo extensive post-graduate training in aesthetic procedures can earn accreditation, and must renew their board certification every ten years. Therefore, patients who choose a board-certified plastic surgeon can feel confident that their procedure is being performed by a doctor with the highest level of training in aesthetic surgery. 

Is There a Non-Surgical Treatment to Rejuvenate the Breasts?

Enhancing the breasts often involves reshaping and removing the skin, fat, and breast tissue, so there is unfortunately no non-surgical treatment that can replicate the results of a breast lift with implants. While some workouts and at-home exercises claim to lift the breasts “naturally,” these practices are typically ineffective and only work to strengthen the pectoral (chest) muscles rather than aesthetically rejuvenate the breasts. In general, a breast procedure performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon is the only way to obtain long-term results that perfectly complement your unique figure and natural beauty. That said, augmentation-mastopexy patients who undergo a combined procedure often appreciate the ability to reap the benefits of two cosmetic surgeries while only having to withstand one recovery period.

Are There Alternatives to a Breast Lift with Implants?

Perhaps you’d like to improve the appearance of your breasts, but a breast lift with implants is not the most ideal approach for your needs. For some women who struggle with a dominant breast size, breast reduction can be key to obtaining a more rejuvenated look. A breast reduction is similar to a breast lift because both procedures remove excess skin, breast tissue, and fat; however, a reduction aims to create a more comfortable, proportional breast size for a patient whereas mastopexy is designed to correct breast sag. If you’re uncomfortable with having large, heavy breasts, the breast reduction procedure can be very rewarding. Alternatively, you may want to add a tummy tuck, liposuction, or other body sculpting procedures to your breast augmentation-mastopexy, resulting in a full Mommy Makeover. Rest assured that Dr. Durst will help you determine the best course of action for the results you envision.

Additional FAQs About a Breast Lift with Implants

Does a breast lift with augmentation reposition the nipple?

In cases wherein the nipples are significantly stretched, the areolas may be resized or repositioned to provide a more proportional appearance. This is not always necessary for all patients, particularly if the extent of breast sag is relatively mild. Dr. Durst will ask you about your goals and what you wish to accomplish to determine whether it’s necessary to reposition the nipples and areolas.

Is a breast lift with implants performed in one single surgery?

A breast augmentation-mastopexy can be performed in one procedure, but it might be more beneficial for certain patients to undergo a breast lift with implants in two separate surgeries. This may be more ideal for individuals who have an overly large breast size or experience severe ptosis (sagging). Dr. Durst will assess your needs and determine the best course of action to rejuvenate your breast contours.

Do both procedures use the same incisions?

In most cases, implants can be placed using the same incisions as breast lift surgery. Depending on the type of implants chosen and the severity of breast sag experienced, incisions may be made in a keyhole- or anchor-shaped pattern around the areolas. Dr. Durst will show you the best incision technique to achieve your goals. 

Will I need to get my implants replaced in the future? 

Breast implants do not need to be replaced unless there is a complication, or unless you want a different size or type of implant in the future. We encourage patients to remain vigilant of potential changes in the appearance or feel of their breasts to help ensure their implants are still in good condition. 

Will I need to get my implants replaced in the future?

Breast implants do not need to be replaced unless there is a complication, or unless you want a different size or type of implant in the future. We encourage patients to remain vigilant of potential changes in the appearance or feel of their breasts to help ensure their implants are still in good condition.

Will breast implants make my breasts sag?

One of the primary benefits of a breast augmentation-mastopexy is the ability to enhance volume and correct breast sag simultaneously! The “lift” portion of the procedure usually takes place before implant placement, allowing Dr. Durst to remove the excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue causing a sagging aesthetic. The result of this dual enhancement is more rejuvenated and youthful breast contours.

Are implants placed under the muscle or over the muscle?

There are pros and cons to each approach, and every patient is personally assessed based on their needs and the size of their implants. Under-the-muscle implant placement generally offers more coverage for patients who have relatively large implants, or those who have a thinner or more petite body frame. On the other hand, over-the-muscle placement may benefit individuals who more actively workout their chest muscles (such as bodybuilders, weight lifters, etc.). Dr. Durst will help you decide the best technique for your lifestyle and overall goals.

Are there complications related to breast implants?

Like all medical and cosmetic procedures, breast implants may come with potential complications and it’s up to you to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks. The most common implant-related complications include visible implant edges (known as “implant rippling”), the development of hard or painful scar tissue, and implant rupture. While not common, these reactions can be addressed with breast revision surgery if necessary to improve the outcome.

Who should perform a breast lift with implants?

Only an experienced plastic surgeon who has been accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) should perform a breast augmentation-mastopexy. By choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon to achieve your goals, you can feel confident knowing you’re entrusting your safety, appearance, and confidence to a surgeon who has a high caliber of training in performing cosmetic procedures.

For more information about a breast lift with implants, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Durst, please contact our practice today.