Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) can raise the breasts to more youthful and natural position on the chest, but the procedure by itself will not enlarge the breasts for women wishing to add or restore volume at the same time. Conversely, breast augmentation can enhance breast volume and shape, but implants alone cannot correct a moderate to considerable amount of breast drooping.
For individuals who desire to lift their breasts while also adding and/or restoring volume, combining mastopexy and breast augmentation can usually be a great solution. Known as a breast lift with implants, breast augmentation with a lift, or an augmentation-mastopexy, this procedure can simultaneously enhance the shape, size, position, and projection of the breasts for an improved overall look and feel.
Dr. Tiffany McCormack and Dr. Nichole Joslyn have performed augmentation-mastopexy for numerous patients, and are highly skilled in customizing treatment to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals. During a consultation, they will listen to your specific concerns and develop a surgical plan that can help you achieve the breast aesthetic you desire with beautiful, natural-looking results.
How Do I Know if I Need a Breast Lift with Implants?
If your breast appearance has changed as a result of pregnancy, nursing, the natural aging process, weight fluctuation, or other factors, surgery can be an effective way to regain a more youthful breast appearance. In particular, a breast lift with implants can benefit individuals who seek to increase their breast volume in conjunction with minimizing the look of breast sag. Women who have undergone pregnancy and nursing often achieve transformative results with a breast augmentation mastopexy, as the physical effects of childbearing typically include deflated breast volume along with increased skin laxity— both characteristics that usually result in a sagging appearance. Generally speaking, if you seek to restore or enlarge your breast size and also experience a flattened upper breast pole and/or breasts that have descended from their central positioning, a breast lift with implants may help you rejuvenate your aesthetic. Ultimately, a consultation with Dr. McCormack or Dr. Joslyn is the best way to determine whether the procedure can help you achieve your desired silhouette.
Choosing the Right Implants for Augmentation-Mastopexy
An augmentation-mastopexy utilizes the same implants as the breast augmentation procedure. Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn offer several options for breast implants, including those composed of saline, silicone, or form-stable silicone. The best size and type of implants for your enhancement will depend on your anatomical needs and desired cosmetic outcome. Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn will thoroughly explain the pros and cons of each implant type to help you determine the best selection. Generally speaking, traditional saline and silicone implants have been in use for many decades and can provide beautiful results for your unique aesthetic. More recently introduced implant options are also very popular among patients and typically offer an exceptionally natural look and feel for the appropriate candidate.
Breast implants can range in appearance from round to teardrop-shaped; they also come in varying degrees of projection, which are categorized by different profile ranges (low, moderate, and high). When determining the most ideal breast proportions for your cosmetic goals, Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn employ state-of-the-art VECTRA® breast imaging technology to three-dimensionally model the potential results of your implant choices. While the preview rendered with this digital imaging system is not a guaranteed indication of the final outcome, this simulation can be a valuable tool to illustrate what your new body contour may look like.
Breast Augmentation with a Lift Incisions
The incision options for a breast lift with implants are the same as those for traditional mastopexy—no additional incisions are needed to insert the breast implants. Depending on the degree of breast drooping, some patients may only need an incision around the nipple-areolar complex, while others might require an incision that encircles the nipple-areolar complex and continues vertically down the breasts to the inframammary crease (forming the shape of a “lollipop”). When significant breast sagging is present, an incision that encircles the areola, extends down the breasts, and continues horizontally along the inframammary fold will generally be necessary. This is known as an anchor-shaped or inverted “T” incision. Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn will help patients decide which incision pattern would be best for them at the time of the consultation, and regardless of which technique is selected, she will do everything in her power to keep potential scarring as minimal as possible.
How is the Breast Lift with Implants Procedure Performed?
During the breast augmentation with a lift procedure, your plastic surgeon will first make incisions in the pattern agreed upon during the consultation. She will then excise loose, extra skin and raise the breast tissue to a more youthful and desirable position on the chest wall. If needed, the nipple-areolar complexes can also be resized and/or repositioned appropriately. Dr. McCormack or Dr. Joslyn will then carefully insert the implants of choice into the breasts and position them either under or above the pectoral muscle. Once the implants are properly situated, she will recontour surrounding tissues until an optimal shape is achieved, and then meticulously close the incisions via tiny surgical sutures.
On average, a breast lift with implants takes approximately three hours to complete. As an outpatient procedure, patients are generally able to return home the same day with the aid of a friend or family member.
Breast Lift with Implants Recovery
After augmentation-mastopexy, most patients will notice some degree of bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness in the breasts. These symptoms are temporary and should gradually resolve over time. Rarely do individuals need anything more than over-the-counter medication to relieve potential pain or discomfort, though your plastic surgeon can prescribe medicine if needed. Most normal daily routines—like office jobs, school, etc.—can be resumed after about seven to ten days; however, heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, contact sports, and various other strenuous activities will need to be avoided for a longer period of time to ensure proper healing.
Throughout recovery, Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn will be happy to address any and all questions or concerns, and she will use a series of follow-up visits to monitor the healing process and make sure everything is progressing according to plan for an optimal outcome.
How Much Does a Breast Lift with Implants Cost?
An augmentation-mastopexy is a personalized surgery tailored to your unique needs and goals. As such, the cost of a breast lift with implants will be dependent on the details of your treatment plan, including:
- The type of implants utilized
- The surgical technique used
- The complexity of your procedure
- The extent of concerns being addressed
The geographic location of your procedure, as well as the expertise of your plastic surgeon, also generally influences the price of cosmetic surgery. Once Dr. McCormack and Dr. Joslyn see you during a consultation, our office will be able to provide you with a complete price breakdown as well as a personalized quote for your procedure. In addition to accepting all major modes of payment, our practice works with highly reputable healthcare lending companies, such as CareCredit®, ALPHAEON™ Credit, and Prosper® Healthcare Lending, to make the cost of treatment more manageable. These plastic surgery financing options offer qualified applicants a range of low- to no-interest payment plans that can be chosen to accommodate your budgetary concerns. If you have any other questions about the price of a breast lift with implants, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friendly member of our practice.