Breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation are both very popular plastic surgery procedures. Each has its own unique benefits, however, so it’s important to understand them both before choosing one. In some cases, choosing just one isn’t necessary or even recommended. Depending on what you’re currently working with and where you want to go, you may benefit from combining both procedures into a single surgery.
Can you do a breast lift with implants at the same time?
You can absolutely do a breast lift, referred to medically as a mastopexy, and implants at the same time, and it’s often imperative to do so. Patients often wonder if they are a candidate for one procedure or the other, but many benefit from doing both at the same time.
Breast lift with implants – Before and After Pictures
While we’re happy to explain the advantages of doing a breast lift and augmentation together, these before and after pictures speak for themselves:
Is a breast lift with implants worth it?
A breast lift with implants can be a procedure well worth doing and may be necessary to provide optimal results. A breast augmentation can increase the size of your breasts and create upper breast fullness. It also adds volume. A breast lift, on the other hand, raises sagging breasts and can reduce areola size.
If your breasts are stretched or sagging, a breast augmentation can make them larger and fuller, but it won’t improve their height or lift sagging. In fact, making sagging breasts heavier with breast implants can make them droop even more. If your breasts are small and lack volume, a lift can place them higher on your chest but won’t improve their size and may not create upper fullness. In either case, the best course of action will likely be performing a breast lift and augmentation together.
Of course, you can also have either procedure separately, as well. If you don’t need a mastopexy, you can have a breast augmentation by itself. The opposite is also true. If a breast lift alone will fix your issues, you need not add a breast augmentation. Not sure what you need? You can find out during a free virtual consultation.
How long do breast lifts with implants last?
Although some women are able to go longer, breast implants typically last about 10 years before requiring replacement. Breast lift surgery results typically last for 10 to 15 years. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to plastic surgery because everyone is different.
If your skin is particularly elastic or if you opt for very large implants, you may notice your breasts starting to sag before the 10- to 15-year mark. Remember that your plastic surgeon can’t stop gravity or age from having their effects. You may also notice breast changes if you get pregnant or breastfeed after your surgery.
Unfortunately, implants do sometimes rupture or leak, in which case they may need to be replaced early. Some women also experience capsular contracture, which may change the plan you and your surgeon have for your implants. These complications are rare, but they do sometimes happen.
Is a breast lift with implants safe?
Although every surgery involves some risk, both breast implant surgery and breast lifts are considered safe procedures. Combining them is also safe according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Performing the two procedures together does not increase the risks over and above having each surgery done by itself.
If you need both procedures, it may be better to have them at the same time. Doing so means you will only need to go under general anesthesia once rather than twice. It also allows you to undergo a single recovery period rather than two.
How painful is a breast lift with implants?
Breast lifts are generally less painful than breast augmentation, so if you combine the procedures, expect the pain level of a breast augmentation. For many the pain is similar to what you would feel if you overdid the pushups during your workout. The pain tends to be a bit worse if your breast implants are placed under rather than over the muscle.
Either way, we are happy to provide prescription pain medication to keep you comfortable as you recover. Most women find that they can manage their pain, if any, with over-the-counter medication, if any, about 3 to 7 days after surgery.
