Breast Lift Q&A

84%

WORTH IT RATING

219 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Lift Cost: $7,800

Learn about Breast Lift

1,232 people and 670 doctors are talking about Breast Lift

Get Free Email Updates

Will I Be Able to Do a Breast Lift and Augmentation at the Same Time? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by AM85
Latest answer by Alfred Sofer, MD
Question viewed 479 times
Tags: combination, heavy, implant

I had my breast augmentation done back in Feb 2011 and at first was very satisfied with the results, but now they are starting to sag and I need a breast lift. Will I have to have the implants removed, have a breast lift performed, and come back at a later date for implants? Or will someone be able to do it all at once? I posted some pictures from right after surgery and then from today.

14 answers to Will I Be Able to Do a Breast Lift and Augmentation at the Same Time? (photo)

Breast Lift and Augmentation at the same time

It is certainly possible to perform a lift and and augmentation at the same time. The surgeon has more control performing one procedure at a time, although the patient experiences two post-operative periods. Our literature reported that 50% of patients having breast lifts and augmentations have had to have revisions. But 50% didn't either! I prefer two procedures. The forces of each surgery fight each other: breast augmentation tends to stretch the... more

Jonathan Berman, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and Lifting at same time?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I am in general agreement with Dr. Rand. This is not a question agreed-upon by all plastic surgeons. There are good plastic surgeons who will insist on doing the procedures separately and there are good plastic surgeons who can produce excellent outcomes in a single stage. The combination breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery alone in that it carries increased risk compared to either breast... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and augmentation

There are important issues you have left out like whether the implants are above the muscle or below and what is the degree of upper pole fullness you want. Assuming from the look that they are above the muscle and if you want a really full upper pole, I'd suggest getting them out and doing the lift. A full lift too. Then after 4 months, replace the implants under the muscle with a size that will give you the look you want. If the upper pole fullness you want is... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with implants.

It is possible to have implants at the same time of breast lift, however sometimes in cases of sever volume loss and droopiness, since the nipple/areola complex needs to be repositioned, due to safety concerns some plastic surgeons may want to achieve the best and safest outcome by performing the procedure in two steps. Before undergoing any plastic surgery, always consult with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons that performs many of these types of... more

Alfred Sofer, MD
Fairfield Plastic Surgeon

www.drsofer.com

Can a breast lift and augmentation be performed at the same time?

It appears from your early post-operative photos that you had a sub-glandular augmentation with relatively large prosthesis. As you have experienced, these tend to descend and settle inferiorly because the only support that you have is essentially the skin envelop of the lower pole of the breast. You may initially have had a small amount of ptosis (drooping) that your surgeon was trying to correct with a sub-glandular augmentation. But this tends to eventually lead to a larger - but... more

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

Can a breast lift and breast augmenation be done at the same time?

If you are happy with the size of your breasts, there is no need to replace them and only a breast lift can be performed. If you are not happy with the size of your breasts, it is better to remove the implants and wait at least 3 months for the swelling to resolve. You can then be re sized with different breast implants thus allowing you to find the best size for you. During the second surgery, both augmentation and breast lift can be performed at the same time. I recommend this... more

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant dropped without breast lift

Thank you for your question and your photos. I agree in general with the other comments. Breast lift and implants can be successfully done together, and some surgeons prefer to do it separately. You have already had the augmentation portion. The implants have dropped into the skin envelop. Now, you need a lift. It is possible to have a breast lift now and keep the implants you have. If you do not like the size of the implants, the implants can be changed at... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Combining breast lift and breast augmentation surgery in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles most board certified plastic surgeons favor performing breast augmentation and breast lift at the same time. In my personal experience women do well with this procedure since I can adjust the breast implant and breast size along with the shape of the breasts at the same time.

S. Sean Younai, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You may need separate surgeries

Your breast tissue appears dense and if you elect an average or large implant you may run into post-operative complications if the lift and augmentation are done at the same time. You run the risk of blood supply shortage to your nipple as well as opening of the incisions due to too much tension. I would probably advise two separate surgeries although I do over 90% at the same time. Experience has alerted me to your situation. Obviously, a final decision would have to... more

Lawrence Shaw, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation and Lift at the Same Time

There is no correct answer for this question. However, the options are do both the augmentation and lift in one procedure or separate it into two procedures - lift then implants or implants then lift. However, with the second options you are guarenteed the need for two procedures. So, why not do both procedures at the same time, with the understanding that you may need a touchup. In the vast majority of these patients, a second surgery / touchup is not required and... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexies and BA-together or separately

This is an often debated question among plastic surgeons. There are many articles in our journals outlining the increased risks of doing the procedures together in addition to the higher rate of revisions, but most patients want it all done at once. The two procedures work in opposite directions; the aug filling outward and the mastopexy tightening things inward. When the lift and the implant are small I am comfortable doing them together. When they are big I prefer... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Breast lift and augmentation at the same time

Yes, you could do both at the same time. The implants that you have now, will probably have to be traded to a smaller size in order to have a successful lift. However, if you wish to have the same size cup you have now, then a second operation with implant exchange will do the trick. Remember, the larger the implant the sooner you will need another lift. I hope this helps, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.horndeski.com

Breast lift and breast augmentation

Certainly a breast lift can be performed with implants intact or with replacment of implants. I do this all the time.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with breast implants

As your breast augmentation is already complete the lift you would like to consider is not really at the same time as breast implants. Some surgeons are concerned with breast augmentation with a lift especially if the implant is quite large. Most however will combine a lift with implants if possible. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com