Breast Lift & Implants

When you meet with us for your breast lift with implants consultation, we will have an honest discussion about your desires, expectations, and concerns, as well as the limits and risks of the surgery. We will review your medical history and recommend options that can best help you achieve your goals. We will give you thorough written instructions to prepare for your surgery and will answer any questions you have.

At Summit Health, the patient experience is of primary importance to us. We customize every single surgery we do so that it is tailored to what is best for you and you alone. With a combination breast lift and breast augmentation, there are many decisions to be made, such as the size and shape of your implants and the type of implant. We will provide you with the pros and cons of each as they relate to your particular case.

Our philosophy is to provide a natural look. We don’t want any of our patients to look like they have had plastic surgery. We do not provide very large breasts that are out of proportion to the patient’s body.

We provide real-life implants and sizers for you to wear prior to your surgery so that you can be sure that you have chosen the best implant size for you. We also use a biodimensional planning system, which means that we custom-fit the dimensions of the implant based on the dimensions of your body.

We take a number of anatomical measurements. The keystone measurement is breast width. An implant that is significantly wider than your natural breast width will look strange, while a narrower implant than your natural breast width will tend to look like a tennis ball in a sock. If you choose an implant width that is significantly wider than your own, symmastia (uniboob) could result. Biodimensional planning shows us if a particular size will look distorted and unnatural on your body type based on your anatomical measurements.

This planning takes into account the height of the breast, shape, height of the nipples, size of the areolas, bulk of the pectoral muscle, and thickness and stretch of the soft tissue. By doing this intricate pre-planning, you will feel more confident that your results will be to your liking.

Most women fail to realize that size is just one consideration. If your sister has 400cc implants, it doesn’t mean that same implant will look great on you. Think of it this way: A person can weigh 150 pounds, but how that weight looks will depend on the person’s height and build. 150 pounds looks very different on someone who is 4’3” than someone who is 6’2”. The same principle applies to breast implants. So, your anatomy must be taken into account when choosing a size.

Height and projection are also important measurements to consider. Projection refers to how much of the breast projects outward from the body while in profile. Fuller implants have a higher projection, while more natural-looking breasts have a lower projection.

Shape is another necessary consideration. Round implants may offer more cleavage in some patients but a less natural look in others, while teardrop-shaped implants look more like natural breasts, which are round only at the bottom. All of this needs to be considered during your consultation.

We offer all three types of implants – saline, silicone, and gummy bear. We do not have a particular preference for one over the over, and no implant is better than another. Comparing them is like comparing a BMW to a Mercedes – it’s simply a matter of preference. If one type of implant were better than all the others, everyone would use just that type of implant.

Each type of implant has pros and cons, and which one is best for you will have a great deal to do with your anatomy, as well as how you wish your breasts to look and feel after your surgery.

Mastopexy with implants takes 2 to 3 hours. It is an outpatient procedure performed in our on-site operating suite or at the hospital’s outpatient surgery center. In most cases, general anesthesia is needed for this operation. Most patients go home a few hours after surgery.

The surgical technique and location of the incisions depends on your anatomy and the amount of lift needed to achieve your desired look. Any excess, stretched skin will be removed, and your nipples and breasts will be lifted higher on your chest. The incisions are usually closed with dissolvable sutures.

The traditional breast lift with implants procedure involves an anchor-shaped pattern with three incisions – one around the areola, a horizontal incision along the breast crease, and a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease. This is also sometimes called an inverted T incision pattern. This is usually necessary if the degree of sagging is significant, such as with pendulous or tuberous breasts. The implants are inserted through the horizontal incision along the breast crease.

For women with only a small amount of sagging, a shorter scar may be possible, such as a periareolar incision that runs around the edge of the areolas. The implant can be inserted using this method. Some women may still require a vertical incision from the edge of the areola down to the crease of the breast. This is sometimes called a “lollipop” incision.

Generally, the implant insertion does not require another incision, since we can place the implant through the lift incision.

Some scarring is inevitable with a breast lift, but most women find that the scars fade considerably over 1-2 years after surgery. Women with darker or thicker skin may always see the scars to some degree, however.

Breast lift recovery with implants takes about 1-2 weeks for most women. Please limit strenuous activities for several weeks, however, and sleep only on your back for a couple of weeks. If you are accustomed to sleeping on your back, you can use pillows to keep you from turning over during the night. You must also avoid lifting very heavy objects until your chest feels more comfortable.

Gauze dressings will be placed on your incisions after surgery, and a soft breast wrap (like a halter top) is worn overnight. You will be seen in the office within the first few days, and you will be given an elastic surgical bra to wear for a few weeks.

You will be given thorough written instructions to recover from your procedure, and the instructions will include how to change your dressings and ways to prevent infection. Follow-up examinations will be scheduled with your surgeon to ensure that you are healing properly.

Bruising and soreness is usually present for the first 1-2 weeks, and some swelling may last for a few weeks to several months. Bear in mind that this will delay your ability to see the final results of your surgery, although you will be able to see a positive change in your breasts immediately. By 3-6 months after surgery, the breasts usually settle into their final shape.

Post-operative pain can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medications, but most patients do not take pain medications for more than a few days.

Regular examinations and routine mammograms can help ensure that any complications are detected and treated early. While your breasts can sag again as a result of aging, pregnancy, and/or weight fluctuations, the results of a breast lift with implants is long-lasting.

Breast implants do not have to be removed and exchanged unless you develop a problem. Most implants last over 10-20 years. Most women are thrilled with the results of their breast lift/breast augmentation.