GUIDE
- Can I combine a breast lift with implants?
- How is a breast lift with augmentation performed?
- Am I a candidate for a breast lift with implants?
- Which implant size is right for me?
- Benefits of getting a breast lift with implants
- What is recovery like for a breast lift with implants?
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic body procedures for women in the US because society has deemed larger breasts conventionally attractive and a symbol of femininity. Genetics cause some women to have smaller breasts, and in fear of being “flat-chested,” they opt for implants to help them feel more feminine and confident in their shape.
A breast lift is another popular procedure. It’s often considered by patients with enough volume in their breasts who desire a more lifted position. Breast lifts are one of the most popular procedures for post-partum mothers, who commonly experience sagging breasts after childbirth and breastfeeding and want to get their pre-baby body back.
A common question from patients during our consultations is whether they can “kill two birds with one stone”? By having surgery that combines both a breast lift and augmentation procedure, lifting their natural breasts and adding more volume simultaneously.
Can I combine a breast lift with implants?
It is certainly possible to combine a breast lift with implants. A lift with implants is even encouraged for some patients who require changes to both position and volume – for example, new mothers who have finished breastfeeding and are concerned about sagging, “deflated” breasts.
A combined procedure not only lift the breasts for these patients but also adds back the volume lost during breastfeeding. Childbirth is beautiful, and the last thing you want is to feel insecure about your body after going through such a magical experience. You deserve to love your body just as much as you love being a mom.
Furthermore, a breast lift with implants can also be valuable to patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight and notice volume loss in their breasts. Along with weight loss also comes loose skin, so a breast lift with implants can help you embrace the weight you lost without feeling insecure about how much your hard work has changed the appearance of your breasts.
And, as we age, the collagen in our skin weakens, causing skin laxity and droopiness in areas such as our eyes, necks, and breasts. With age, women also tend to lose volume around their feminine, curvier features, such as their hips, buttocks, and breasts. A breast lift combined with augmentation is a fabulous solution to restoring the youthful, feminine, curvy body you’ve been missing.
If you were to get a breast lift, which involves removing excess skin, in a separate surgery before deciding to have a breast augmentation at a later date, there is a possibility the surgeon will not have sufficient skin to add implants. So if you need both a breast lift and implants, why not combine the procedure to maximize results, saving time and money?
How is a breast lift with augmentation performed?
During a breast lift with augmentation, we make an incision around the areola before manipulating the tissue and skin around the breasts to reshape and raise the placement of the breasts.
We then insert the implants before closing the incisions. If necessary for aesthetic purposes, Dr. Liland will place the areola in a suitable position once he has lifted and augmented the breasts.
Am I a candidate for a breast lift with implants?
When you get a breast lift by itself, your breasts will appear perkier, firmer, and more attractive in shape, but they won’t necessarily increase in size.
When you get a breast augmentation by itself, your breasts will increase in size, but there is no guarantee their shape or placement will improve.
Individually, these two procedures can be life-changing and a source of newfound confidence for patients who are good candidates and only seek increased size or lifted placement. However, some patients are more interested in a complete breast transformation, from volume to shape and placement.
These patients are best suited to a breast lift with implants to achieve multiple goals within a single procedure. There are other ways to combine a breast lift and augmentation for patients with specific preferences, e.g. a breast lift with fat transfer augmentation avoids the need for implants.
Suitable candidates for a breast lift with implants include:
- You want to lift the placement of your breasts while increasing cup size
- You want to improve the perkiness, size, and shape of your breasts in a single procedure
- You’ve had children and breastfed and are noticing your breasts appear saggy and have lost their volume
- Have lost a substantial amount of weight, including in your breasts, and want to restore volume while lifting them
- Your breasts have started to droop with age, and you want to rejuvenate them to their youthful appearance
- You have realistic expectations
- Are a non-smoker
- Are healthy overall with no underlying medical conditions
Which implant size is right for me?
If you’re like most of Dr. Liland’s patients, one of your biggest concerns going into a breast augmentation is the size of the implants you will be getting. If you’re considering a breast lift with your implants, you may wonder if it changes the size requirements for your implants.
Typically, patients who get a breast lift along with their breast augmentation tend to look into smaller implants than those who get breast augmentation alone, depending on their personal preferences and goals. As the breast lift pushes the volume of your breasts upward where desired most, it reduces the amount of volume needed in your implants.
When we explain to patients how much the breast lift will raise their breasts, they realize pushing the volume upward will make them appear larger and perkier, and they only need a small addition with implants to achieve their desired volume.
The most commonly desired implant sizes in the US range between 250-500 ccs but could range outside of these sizes depending on whether you want more natural or dramatic results. During your consultation, we will discuss your suitable options and use specialized equipment to show you how your results would look with different implant sizes.
Benefits of getting a breast lift with implants
Combining two procedures that focus on the breasts into one is incredibly beneficial, as the risk of complications increases each time a surgeon needs to perform surgery on a specific part of the body. Pairing a breast lift with a breast augmentation also makes it easier for surgeons to leave behind less scarring post-op by carefully minimizing incisions. It also reduces the chance that you will be dissatisfied with your results, as it targets multiple concerns with one surgery.
Other benefits of getting a breast lift with implants include:
- Allows you to achieve two goals in one procedure
- Boosts your confidence
- Promotes a more youthful appearance of your breasts
- Has just one downtime instead of two recovery periods for two separate procedures
- You will only need to go under general anesthesia once
- Saves money when combining two procedures
What is recovery like for a breast lift with implants?
As the surgery combines two breast procedures, it is normal to have a decent amount of swelling, bruising, and soreness after a breast lift with implants. Dr. Liland will work with you to ensure you have as little pain as possible during your healing, but you may feel sore for two to three weeks following your surgery.
As the breasts are affected practically every time you move your body, you should avoid strenuous activities such as weight lifting and cardio for four to six weeks. During the first five to seven days after your breast lift with implants, you should rest to aid recovery. You may need someone to help with household chores, pet care, childcare, and other tasks.
Your body must get enough rest to heal properly. Though the recovery from a breast lift combined with a breast augmentation may be more severe than the recovery from having individual procedures, it saves you time and money to go through the downtime all at once rather than for two separate surgeries.