Over Twenty-Seven Years Experience as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Specializing in the Natural Look
Breast Augmentation Model

Breast Lift with Augmentation

For patients who experience breast volume deficiency in conjunction with the appearance of sag, undergoing a breast augmentation or breast lift procedure respectively often cannot provide the desired improvement for both concerns. A breast lift can elevate the breasts to a more rejuvenated positioning, but the surgery is not intended to increase an individual’s breast size. Similarly, an augmentation procedure is designed to increase breast volume, but cannot significantly improve the look of ptosis (sag).

To address these common aesthetic breast concerns while avoiding two separate operations, Santa Barbara plastic surgeon Wesley Schooler, MD offers the breast lift with implants procedure to yield the benefits of both a breast augmentation and a breast lift at once. Often considered the ultimate rejuvenation option for an individual’s breast aesthetic, this combination surgery can be a powerful solution for women who seek to enlarge the size of their breasts while simultaneously correcting the look of sag.

What is Breast Lift with Augmentation?

A breast lift with augmentation, commonly referred to as an augmentation-mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the size, positioning, shape, and projection of the breasts. This comprehensive improvement is achieved by raising the breasts to a more central positioning on the chest wall while subsequently adding volume through placement of implants. The surgery utilizes the same implant options that are associated with the breast augmentation procedure and Dr. Schooler will help you decide the most beneficial implant size, type, and placement location for your goals. Many women who desire breast enhancement gravitate towards an augmentation-mastopexy because the procedure typically involves less expense than undergoing both breast surgeries separately, and also has the benefit of requiring only one recovery period.

What are the Benefits of a Breast Lift with Implants?

Depending on your aesthetic goals, a breast lift with implants can provide extensive rejuvenation of your breast appearance as well as your silhouette. The procedure can generally:

  • Increase breast volume and fullness
  • Reshape and firm the breasts
  • Minimize the appearance of breast sag
  • Increase breast projection
  • Resize and/or reposition the nipple-areolar complexes, if desired

Is a Breast Lift with Implants Right for Me?

Ideal candidates for a breast augmentation mastopexy desire an increase in breast size while experiencing some degree of breast sag which they seek to resolve. Our plastic surgeons have found that women who have undergone pregnancy and/or breastfeeding typically achieve exceptional results with the procedure, as the physical changes associated with childbearing often include deflated breast volume as well as heightened skin and breast tissue laxity. A breast lift with implants can be performed alone or as part of a complete Mommy Makeover to restore a youthful breast aesthetic and undo the effects of pregnancy, genetics, gravity, weight fluctuation, or the natural aging process.

Preparing for a Breast Lift with Implants

A breast lift with augmentation is personalized to achieve your unique cosmetic goals. Once it has been confirmed that an augmentation-mastopexy is the ideal procedure for you, Dr. Schooler will have a thorough discussion with you about your reasons for surgery. This can allow him to fully understand your aesthetic wishes and provide a beautiful final outcome that appears harmoniously your figure.

During this consultation, Dr. Schooler will discuss your breast implant options. We carry both silicone and saline implants, which are the most frequently utilized implants available. While both can achieve very natural-looking results for patients, silicone implants are known to more closely resemble the look and feel of natural breast tissue.

Dr. Schooler will also help you determine an ideal size for your implants. This decision will depend on your preferences, cosmetic goals, and body proportions, as the general goal of breast augmentation is to produce a result that looks as natural as possible. To help you visualize the potential outcome of your surgery, we encourage you to explore Dr. Schooler’s before-and-after photos.

How is the Augmentation-Mastopexy Procedure Performed?

A breast augmentation mastopexy is typically an outpatient procedure utilizing general anesthesia. Generally speaking, the incisions used to access the breast tissue and place the implants are the same as those employed in a traditional breast lift. Depending on the extent of lift necessary to achieve the desired result, your incision location may surround the borders of the areola, encircle the areola with an additional incision extending to the breast crease, or appear in an anchor-shaped fashion around the areola and along the breast fold. In any case, Dr. Schooler takes great care to discreetly place incision marks around the natural contours of the breast for a natural-looking result.

At the time of operation, Dr. Schooler will remove excess skin and fat that may be causing the appearance of sag, and subsequently tighten remaining tissue. The breasts will then be reshaped and elevated to a more youthful position. Following the lift portion of the procedure, your breast implants will be inserted through a pocket created either under or over the chest muscle, depending on your unique needs. Dr. Schooler will adjust the breast shape to yield the desired outcome and, if preferred, he will then resize and/or reposition the nipple areolar-complexes.

What is Recovery from Breast Lift with Augmentation Like?

After surgery, patients should receive plenty of rest to facilitate the healing process. Individuals may experience normal bruising, swelling, numbness, or stiffness, but these reactions are temporary and should subside as recovery progresses. Those who undergo a breast lift with implants can typically make a full return to normal activities within one to two weeks, but strenuous activity and aerobic exercise should be avoided for approximately six weeks. While the results of surgery can be immediately apparent, it may take some time for your implants to fully settle; however, patients usually report immense satisfaction at their younger-looking breast appearance once the final outcome is realized.

Does a Breast Lift With Implants Leave Scars?

Although every procedure can result in scarring to some extent, Dr. Schooler always aims to place incisions in inconspicuous locations whenever possible. Often, scars left after incisions are fully healed can be easily hidden underneath a bra or bathing suit. Additionally, more pronounced scarring will typically lighten in the weeks following surgery, provided you adhere to Dr. Schooler’s aftercare instructions.

How Long Will a Breast Lift with Implants Last?

Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting, and typically provide good results for at least 10 to 15 years or longer. For most women, their implants do not need to be replaced as long as there are no complications, such as rippling or capsular contracture. Meanwhile, the results of mastopexy can last for decades; however, certain life events — such as childbirth or the natural effects of aging — may cause some degree of breast sag. For optimal results, Dr. Schooler recommends that you do not undergo a breast augmentation mastopexy until after you are finished having children and/or breastfeeding.

How Much Does a Breast Lift with Augmentation Cost?

The cost of a breast augmentation mastopexy is contingent upon a number of factors, including the expertise of your plastic surgeon as well as the geographic location where your procedure is taking place. Other details unique to your treatment plan will ultimately determine the price of your breast lift with implants, such as:

  • The type of implants utilized
  • The surgical technique used
  • The extent of surgical work required
  • The overall complexity of the procedure

Once your needs are assessed in a consultation, a member of our team will be able to break down the total cost of surgery and provide you with a personalized quote. Our office accepts a range of payment methods—including cash, check, and credit cards—and would be happy to speak with you personally about our breast surgery costs. Please don’t hesitate to contact our practice for any questions you may have about the price of treatment.

If you would like to learn more about a breast lift with implants, or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schooler, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice today.