Breast Augmentation Q&A

92%

WORTH IT RATING

773 Reviews

Ask a Question

Breast Augmentationbefore & after photos

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Augmentation Cost: $6,200

Learn about Breast Augmentation

3,427 people and 893 doctors are talking about Breast Augmentation

Get Free Email Updates

In a Staged Breast Augmentation/lift, Which One is Best to Do First?

asked 2 years ago by Soniaaa
Latest answer by Brent Moelleken, MD
Question viewed 504 times
Tags: C cup, DD cup

I am somewhat confused whether the breast aug or lift should be done first. I have heard conflicting opinions from doctors. I understand a lift first would be good because the patient may be satisified with that alone. However, if the lift is done then the aug, wouldn't that cause the scars to stretch? I am certain I want to have both done and not sure which would be optimal for me. I am looking to go from a C to DD. Thanks to all, I appreciate your answers! :)

26 answers to In a Staged Breast Augmentation/lift, Which One is Best to Do First?

Staged vs. single session breast augmentatiion and breast lift

The decision making for this combination of procedures requires a great deal of experience. Will the lift make the envelope too tight? Is a lift even necessary? What type of lift is necessary? By examining the dimensions and shape of your breast, and comparing that with a personal database of thousands of patients, an experienced board certified plastic surgeon will give you a concrete answer. You may wish to talk to several surgeons to see is a single plan... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

What comes first: the lift or the implant?

My late father, also a Plastic Surgeon always staged the lift first and the implant, 6-9 months afterwards. Choosing this interval, a lot of the scar maturation had already occured and so little additional stretching occured with implant placement. Additionally, some women opted out of the second stage because they were content with the reshaping procedure alone. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". While most of my patients understand the... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation- which one first?

Hi there- This will come down to surgeon preference. In my practice, I almost always (because I completed an additional year of training in advanced breast surgery after my plastic surgery training) perform them together. I do know that less experienced surgeons do prefer to stage the procedures, and would agree that if unable to reliably and consistently produce excellent outcomes from a single stage procedure that staging is preferable. If I were to recommend... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy-Augmentation - staging vs one-stage

This is a great question, and its been fun to read the other surgeon's responses. The only thing I could add to the very cogent and informed opinions from the experienced surgeons on this forum is this: you may be delighted with the appearance of your breasts after a mastopexy. Some patients are so happy with their lifted, rejuventated breasts after mastopexy that they decided the additional upper pole volume that an implant gives is not worth an additional procedure. For this reason- if... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift first then breast implant in a staged mastopexy augmentation. No debate

Not everyone is a candidate for a one time mastopexy augmentation, and it sounds like you are already on the large size and would like to larger. In this scenario, I would recommend a staged procedure with the lift or mastopexy part first and then the breast implant. This all depends on whether you need a lift at all, and I hope this has been already discussed with a plastic surgeon. The scarring is favorable with this technique as your mastopexy scars would have matured by the time the... more

Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Single Staged Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

A breast augmentation and breast lift can be performed at the same time in the right hands. It is a delicate balance but an experience board certified plastic surgeon can eliminate two recoveries or surgical procedures. It is also acceptable to perform the them in 2 different procedures and if in that case a breast lift is usually done first to allow the scars to heal without any tension.

Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Key to breast lift and breast augmentation

The key to understanding breast lifts (mastopexy) and breast augmentation or a combination of the two is knowing what each do and do not do and to a lesser degree to know what the advantages and disadvantages of doing both together are. A breast lift is properly only done to reposition the breast at a higher level. It can scale down the size of the areola around the nipple. It does not increase or decrease volume. It doesn't make a breast look perky or fill out the center or fill in the... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and breast lift

A breast can be done first. Usually I perform these procedures together. It is a delicate balance. You need an exam and some photos before I could elaborate more.

Robert Whitfield, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Lift the breast

The determination to perform a breast lift with an implant is made at the time of your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. A breast lift and augmentation is done to shape your breast by addressing the volume and sagging skin envelope. If you stage and separate the two procedures, a breast lift repositions the nipple and glandular tissue to a more "perky" level at first. However the upper pole of the breast may still need volume, so the implant can be placed... more

Andrew Turk, MD
Naples Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift/aug can be done together or as a staged procedure.`

Staging a breast augmentation and lift is certainly an uber safe procedure, however, many experienced plastic surgeons can carefully do both at the same time. Your question states that you want to go from a c to a dd cup size. If that is the case, it is unlikely that you will be happy with just a lift. However, if it is the drooping that bothers you, than a lift to perky size c breasts might be just what you need. There is no right or wrong option for the order of the procedure if you... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift prior to augmentation

While it is true that in most cases it is best (and less expensive) to combine these two procedures, some surgeons prefer to stage them. In that situation, it is best to do the lift first. The reason is that this allows the lift scars to heal with the least amount of tension, and will most likely result in better overall scarring. When the implant is then placed at a later time, the skin will stretch to fit, just as it does following an augmentation mammoplasty alone. The scars may... more

Kevin F. Hagan, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift versus Augmentation

There really is no standard answer of whether the breast lift or the breast augmentation should be done first. There actually is a third option which is do the breast lift and the augmentation at the same time. Basically, I would suggest talking to your surgeon and stage the procedure as they recommend. If you force your surgeon to do a procedure in an order that they do not normally do, then you really cannot be assured of a predictable outcome. Good luck with your procedure. more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Staged/Not Staged Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation

To perk up a drooping breast, your surgeon will remove excess skin, reposition the nipple, and redrape and tighten the remaining skin to support the breast. The areola may also be reduced in size. A mastopexy (breast lift) raises droopy breasts from one to several inches and excess skin is removed. If you're sagging or asymmetrical, and are looking for perkiness, you'll need a lift--or, if you also want more volume, a lift and implants. When women with saggy breasts want to go bigger, I... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation + breast lift: together or staged?

You are not alone in being confused on this topic because there are honest differences of opinion out there among plastic surgeons. Before considering which one to do first, you need to make sure that the 2-stage approach is the way you want to go. The arguments in favor of this are that doing the lift and implants together is a complex operation and the rate of revisions is high. Personally I am in the other camp which favors doing them on one operation, because staging it is like everyone... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Lift and Augmentation Chicago

In terms of timing, it just depends on what you are starting out with and what your surgeon is comfortable with. The two surgeries are often done together at the same stage if possible to minimize repeated surgeries, anesthesia exposure, etc. If the lift is a larger one, then it may benefit to have the lift first and then the augmentation 3-6 months later. Conversely, if only a small lift is needed, the augmentation may do a nice job on its own and mimimize the lift needed later. This... more

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD
Barrington Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation and breast lift can be done safely together

Most plastic surgeons would recommend that it would be safe to place implants and do a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time without compromising the cosmetic result. This certainly has the advantage of getting everything done in one operation, minimizing downtime and possibly reducing costs. I would suggest that it would be best to have your implants under the muscles as this preserves the blood supply to the breast tissue, allowing safer shaping of the breasts during the lift portion... more

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation and Lift

This procedure can be done together safely. I understand there are some surgeons that desire to do the procedures separately, if that is the case most will do the lift first and then 4-6 months later perform the augmentation. You can certainly do the augmentation first and they is perfectly feasible as well. I perform both of the surgeries at the same time as do most surgeons. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift (mastopexy) or implant (augmentation): which one first?

Going from a C to a DD would likely increase the potential for sagging over the long term so please be aware of this. As stated below, many surgeons perform these procedures together but if performed separately most will perform the lift first. Despite your concerns about stretching the scars this does not always happen. Furthermore, it is generally true that an attractive smaller looking breast will make a more attractive larger looking breast. So, if... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and implants

Performing a breast lift with implants is done all the time as a single operation. Yes, they can be staged and the order of the two really depends upon your goals.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and breast augmentation should be done together at the same time.

Hi. 1) Why do you think breast lift and breast augmentation should be done separately? In NYC, we always do them together. 2) There are a few surgeons who feel doing them together increases risk, but this has certainly not been our experience. The key is using the right technique, which means a minimal scar breast lift. Usually just scars around the nipples, and at the most, lollipop scars.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To Stage (separate) or NOT Stage a Breast Augmentation and Lift (Mastopexy)

If a woman is happy with the way her breast fill a certain cup size but would like the breast perkier - then ONLY a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is indicated. If she is unhappy with both the sagging of the breasts and she wishes more breast volume then she would benefit from both a breast augmentation and a Beast Lift. Breast Lifting and Breast Augmentation have conflicting and opposing vector forces. In the former, the breast is pushed forward while in the latter the breast is pulled upward. As... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

I almost always perform Breast Lifts at the same time as Breast Augmentation when both of these procedures are needed

I also, almost always perform Breast Lifts at the same time as Breast Augmentation when both of these procedures are needed. The combination works very well together. But, if I had to choose which to do first, I would perform the breast lift first. That way you will have a very nice and natural appearing breast until you are able to proceed with the augmentation. If you have the breast aug first, with subpectoral implants (which in my opinion is the best and safest location for the implants)... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, or Both

Many patients are surprised to see their breasts appear bigger after just a lift. This occurs because tissue beside and below the breast is recruited into the breast. That said, you will not get a two-cup increase, and an implant will certainly be necessary to get to a DD. Question: Why a DD? Consider that your skin has a tendency to stretch out, and so a large implant is likely to result in sagging over time. Your surgeon is wise to suggest a two-stage procedure, as tightening skin and... more

Michael Kreidstein, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Staged breast augmentation/lift

From my reading of your question, You desire a "large" breast that is lifted. So I ALWAYS would do the lift first than wait 2 months to implant a large implant for a lifted DD. Best of Luck From MIAMI Dr. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Staged augmentation mastopexies - which to do first?

In almost all cases, it is nice to do a one-stage procedure. However, it is important to realize that a lift tightens you and an augmentation stretches you. If either of these two opposing forces overwhelms the other, you could have some real problems healing. If you want to go to a DD, you are asking for a lot of stretching so a staged procedure might be reasonable. A lift alone won't get you there but it will reshape and rejuvenate your breasts and convert you into a good... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Lift with augmentation or lift alone?

This is a very common question. You need to first understand whether you need a breast lift to begin with and what your goals are. If you have a fair amount of breast tissue, you by and large like the volume, but wish they were "perkier", a lift alone may be your best choice. I always tell patients that are in this position that they can always choose to have an augmentation at a later time if they choose. I realize it is another procedure but better that than ending up bigger than... more