Breast Augmentation with Lift

Offered at our convenient location in Denver

Breast augmentation with lift is a combination cosmetic procedure performed to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. Commonly performed during a mommy makeover, this surgery reshapes the breasts by placing silicone implants, removing excess skin, and repositioning the nipple-areola complex. It provides patients with a restored and youthful-looking chest contour. Breast augmentation and lift procedures allow plastic surgeons to reinstate the structure of a patient’s breasts.

The talented team of surgeons at Millard Plastic Surgery perform all major aesthetic procedures with great care and precision. Our attention to detail and professionalism are made clear with each patient result. We focus on providing comprehensive medical care to our patients in the Denver, CO area and beyond.

If you seek to restore your breast contour, schedule a private consultation with one of our surgeons today. Call Millard Plastic Surgery at (303) 792-5665 or fill out our contact form to take the first step.

Before and After Photos

All About Breast Augmentation with Lift

A breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that improves breast size and projection by placing silicone implants above or beneath your pectoral muscles. Breast lifts (mastopexies) surgically remove portions of skin from the lower poles while reshaping and repositioning the nipple-areola complex. When combined, they lift and shape the breasts to increase and restore their contour for a more youthful look. This is sometimes called an augmentation mastopexy. (1) Because of age, weight fluctuation, and genetics, breast skin starts to stretch and your chest can become deflated. This condition, called breast ptosis, affects many women in many stages of life. Breast augmentation with lift aims to correct ptosis and restructure the breasts for long-term aesthetic improvement.

What Does a Breast Augmentation with Lift Procedure Look Like?

Your surgeon will choose one of three incision patterns to perform your breast augmentation with lift: (2)

  • Circumareolar Pattern (around the areola)
  • Circumvertical Pattern (around the areola and down toward the crease)
  • Inverted-T Pattern (vertical incision plus incision along the crease)

Depending on your level of ptosis, each of these patterns can incorporate the addition of a silicone implant. Your surgeon chooses where to create the implant pocket; Either above the pectoral muscle but underneath the breast tissue (subglandular) or below the pectoral muscle and tissue altogether (submuscular).

During a breast augmentation with lift, your surgeon performs the breast lift first to create an optimal shape. Next, they create the implant pocket in the chosen position using the same incisions made for mastopexy. They then place the implant carefully in its pocket and suture the breast in layers. (2)

Benefits of a Breast Augmentation with Lift

Patient benefits of breast augmentation with lift include:

  • Improved overall breast contour
  • Increased upper pole volume
  • Lifted breast position on the chest
  • Reduced areola size
  • Asymmetry correction
  • Improved breast projection
  • More youthful-looking chest
  • Overall reduction of ptosis

Combining these two separate procedures into one allows patients to undergo one surgery and go through one recovery period. It increases their body confidence and self-esteem by greatly reducing breast sagging and adding shape and structure. This leads to more youthful-looking and revitalized breasts. Receiving this surgery may directly improve their social and intimate life as well. The results look natural and are typically long-lasting. A combined breast augmentation with lift expedites breast improvement and saves patients money and time.

Ideal Candidates

This combination surgery is suitable for those with moderate to severe breast ptosis. Ultimately, you are a good candidate for this procedure if you are unhappy with your breast shape, volume, and overall contour. You may be experiencing signs of aging, changes in weight, or breast changes due to pregnancy. Your nipples may point downward and your breast skin is stretched, leading to a flattened or elongated shape. You may feel as though your breasts sag too low and their volume is depleted.

To qualify, you should be in good overall health with no serious underlying medical conditions. You should also have reasonable expectations and reachable cosmetic desires. You should be a nonsmoker or be willing to quit in the weeks leading up to your breast augmentation and lift. It is also important that you reach a stable weight before surgery as significant weight fluctuation may negatively affect your results.

Personal Consultation in Denver

At Millard Plastic Surgery, you will meet with your surgeon for a private consultation. They will ask you about your medical history, current lifestyle, cosmetic desires, and expectations. Then, you will undergo an examination to assess the health of you and the treatment area. This step will help your surgeon create a procedure plan that works for you and your needs. Next, they will explain how breast augmentation with lifts work and what yours will be like.

This conversation may include information about your surgeon’s chosen technique, incision pattern, and other surgery specifics. It is very important to be candid during your consultation to set you up for a successful and fulfilling procedure. Your surgeon will ask you about your current medications and may suggest altering or discontinuing them. At the end of this meeting, a member of our staff will help you schedule your breast augmentation with lift surgery and follow-up appointments with your surgeon.

How Do I Prepare for this Procedure?

To prepare for surgery, please avoid:

  • Alcohol
  • Smoking (e.g. nicotine, tobacco and marijuana)
  • NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Supplements (e.g. vitamin E, ginkgo)

In the weeks leading up, please prepare and acquire the following:

  • A comfortable space in your home
  • Time off of work
  • Necessary prescriptions
  • Easy-to-cook meals
  • Transportation to and from surgery
  • Support at home during first days of recovery

While you are waiting for your breast augmentation with lift, check out our blog to learn more about our practice and the surgeries performed here.

Breast Augmentation with Lift Surgery

Your surgeon performs this procedure using general anesthesia. After administration, they then apply local anesthetic to the treatment area. This will continue to work throughout the first couple of recovery days. Once you are comfortable, your surgeon makes their incisions. They measure a new areola shape and dissect it from surrounding tissue while keeping vital blood vessels and nerves attached. Next, they remove excess skin from the lower breast pole and create your new shape.

Your surgeon creates a breast pocket according to the procedure plan, then carefully places the implant. After checking the new breast size and shape, they suture the incisions in layers starting at the deepest tissue pockets. This ensures that the skin incisions are free of tension to heal properly. A breast augmentation with lift takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete.

Recovery

You will experience some swelling and bruising in the treatment area for several weeks following the surgery. During the first week of recovery, take gentle and short walks to encourage optimal blood flow to the treatment area. Keep your incisions clean and wear a non-underwire bra at all times until your surgeon informs you otherwise. You may feel well enough to go back to work after the first week of recovery. Breast augmentation with lift incisions typically take 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal. Do not lift anything over 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks.

Long-Lasting Results

After your swelling and bruising dissipate, the resulting breast shape may be more structured than you anticipated. At first, you may think your new implants sit too high on the chest, but they settle into a more natural position with time. As your incisions heal, breast tissue settles and your final contour becomes more visible.

Cost of Breast Augmentation with Lift in Denver

We provide each patient with a personalized procedure plan, so no two patients’ treatments will be the same. Your surgeon will provide an estimated cost breakdown during your private consultation at Millard Plastic Surgery.

To schedule yours today, call our front office at (303) 792-5665 or fill out our convenient contact form.

FAQ

What size of breast implant is best for me?

Typically surgeons use body dimensions and personal preference to determine the right breast implant size for each patient. It depends on what your ideal breast shape and size is and how that might look on your body shape.

How many follow-up appointments will I need to attend?

This depends on the surgeon’s preference and your recovery rate. You will likely have a check-up quickly after surgery, again after a week of recovery, and periodically throughout the first postoperative year. 

How long before I have to get my breast implants replaced or removed?

The typical modern breast implant lasts for at least 10 years or more before needing to be replaced. Some patients have the same implants for decades without any problems. It is important, however, to get regular medical imaging or mammograms down to determine the health of your breasts.

References

  1. Qureshi AA, Myckatyn TM, Tenenbaum MM. Mastopexy and Mastopexy-Augmentation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;38(4):374-384. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx181
  2. Abdelkader R, Raafat S, Sakr W, Abdelaziz M, ElNoamany S. Augmentation Mastopexy: A Five-step Standardized Strategy Approach. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(6):e4349. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000004349