Breast Lift with Implants (“Augmentation Mastopexy”)
A single breast surgery can address many concerns, but in some cases, the best results are achieved by combining breast procedures. An augmentation mastopexy—commonly known as a breast lift with implants—is a very popular enhancement option that can yield the aesthetic benefits of both a breast augmentation and a breast lift in one operation. Our experienced plastic surgeon, Craig Rowin, MD, offers this dynamic procedure at his Charleston-area practice for individuals seeking comprehensive rejuvenation of their breast appearance.
What is a Breast Lift with Implants?
A breast lift with implants is a surgery designed to increase breast volume, while raising the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall and correcting any droopiness or sagging that may exist— either naturally or after breastfeeding or weight loss. This is accomplished by removing excess skin and reshaping the existing breast tissue to enhance the shape and positioning of the breasts, followed by adding fullness through the insertion of breast implants. Depending on your goals, the result is usually a more youthful breast aesthetic as well as an improved silhouette. A breast lift with implants is a customized procedure tailored to your needs to produce the best outcome for your unique figure.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift with Implants?
Whether as a result of aging, genetics, gravity, weight fluctuation, or pregnancy, the breasts can lose volume as well as projection over time and begin to drop, droop, or sag. For the right surgical candidate, an augmentation mastopexy can address these concerns and achieve remarkably natural-looking and beautiful results. Patients considering a breast lift with implants should desire increased breast volume, but also experience some degree of breast ptosis (sag) that they wish to correct. A breast lift with implants, performed alone or as part of a comprehensive Mommy Makeover, can generally be an excellent solution for individuals who would like significant improvement in their breast appearance— particularly in women who wish to regain their pre-pregnancy figure.
During a thorough consultation in which your cosmetic goals and reasons for surgery are discussed, Dr. Rowin can help you decide whether a breast lift with implants is the best procedure to achieve your aesthetic ideal. This option is typically most successful in women who are finished with childbearing and nursing, as the physical effects of pregnancy can often reverse the outcome of an augmentation mastopexy.
What are My Breast Implant Options?
The implants used in this combination surgery are the same options utilized during a breast augmentation. There are many considerations to make when placing breast implants, including the most beneficial implant type, size, and location (under the chest muscle vs. over the chest muscle) to attain your desired outcome. When the time comes, Dr. Rowin will ensure you are fully informed of the pros and cons of each type to help you make the right selections for your goals. The different breast implants to choose from include:
- Silicone gel-filled: This popular implant type is made from a cohesive silicone gel that is known for its similarity in touch to natural breast tissue.
- Saline-filled: Saline breast implants are silicone shells filled with a sterile saline solution.
- Anatomic (Shaped): Anatomic, or “gummy bear,” implants offer a form-stable option that is often favored for its ability to keep its tear-drop shape and retain a natural-looking upper breast pole appearance.
Learn more about sizing information and your options for breast implants.
Everyone is very professional and sooooo nice! Love the staff and Dr.Rowin! So happy we made the decision to use Plastic Surgery of the Low Country! ❤️
How is the Breast Lift with Augmentation Procedure Performed?
A breast augmentation mastopexy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. The incisions utilized are typically the same as those placed during a breast lift— usually encircling the areola, surrounding the areola with an additional vertical incision extending to the inframammary fold (breast crease), or in an anchor-shaped fashion around the areola and within the breast fold. The most ideal incision type will depend on the extent of lift required. Fortunately, breast implants can also be inserted through the same incision used for the lift portion of surgery.
From this incision, Dr. Rowin can minimize the look of breast sag by removing excess skin, raising the breasts to a more rejuvenated positioning, and reshaping remaining breast tissue for an improved shape. He can then create a pocket for the implants and place them to achieve the desired aesthetic. At this time, our plastic surgeon can elevate or resize the nipples and areolas if necessary.
What is Recovery Like for a Breast Augmentation with a Lift?
After surgery, patients commonly experience some degree of post-operative discomfort along with mild swelling, perhaps some tingling or numbness as their healing process progresses. These reactions are normal, temporary, and can usually be managed well with oral pain medications. Our plastic surgeon also uses a timed release type of Novocaine injection during surgery to achieve post-operative pain relief for up to 72 hours. While most patients can return to normal activities within one or two weeks, strenuous exercise should be avoided for four weeks, or until cleared by Dr. Rowin. Results of surgery are generally immediately apparent, but it may take some time for the implants to fully settle and for the skin to relax. Once the final outcome is realized (usually at about six weeks), patients usually report immense satisfaction at their renewed breast aesthetic and younger-looking body contour. Dr. Rowin is very meticulous about placing incision marks within the natural contours of the breasts whenever possible for minimized post-surgical scarring.
How Much Does a Breast Lift with Implants Cost?
As the breast augmentation mastopexy is a customizable procedure, the price will vary based on the unique aspects of each patient. The expense of surgery generally varies according to the expertise of your plastic surgeon as well as the geographic location where the procedure is taking place, but the ultimate determinants of your cost estimate will be the details of your treatment plan, including:
- The type of implants used
- The extent of surgical work required
- The surgical technique used
- The complexity and length of your procedure
Our office will be able to provide you with your personalized quote prior to the start of any treatment. In addition to accepting all major credit cards, our office also works with CareCredit®, one of the leading plastic surgery financing companies in the nation. CareCredit® offers a number of flexible plans for qualified applicants that can help you pay for your treatment over time while accommodating your budgetary concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for any questions you may have about the cost of a breast lift with implants, as well as our accepted modes of payment.
To learn more about a breast augmentation with lift, schedule your consultation today!
