Renewed volume. Youthful lift. Harmonious Proportions.
It is common for the breasts to experience a loss of both volume and ideal position over time. Whether this change is a result of aging, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy, many women find that their breasts appear less full, less lifted, and no longer fully reflective of their inner confidence. Breast augmentation with lift (also known as augmentation mastopexy) is a comprehensive procedure that simultaneously restores lost breast volume and reshapes and elevates the breasts to a more youthful, natural contour.
I am Dr. Leela, a Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon, and I approach breast surgery with a deeply personalized focus. My goal is to enhance your confidence by seamlessly combining a refined lift with natural-looking volume—all precisely tailored to your unique body frame, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. Together, we will formulate a plan that supports your aesthetic vision with balance, safety, and beautiful, enduring results.
Who Is a Candidate for Augmentation Mastopexy?
You may be a strong candidate for a breast lift combined with augmentation if you:
- Desire breasts that are both fuller and have a more lifted, youthful shape.
- Have experienced volume loss due to aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes.
- Wish to restore fullness to the upper portion of the breast while simultaneously correcting breast droop or nipples that point downward.
- Are looking to significantly improve breast projection, symmetry, or overall shape.
- Are in good overall health and maintain realistic expectations for the outcome.
If your breasts feel deflated, lack fullness, and sit lower on your chest than they once did, a breast lift with implants may be the most effective solution to restore volume, elevate your contour, and achieve a more youthful, balanced silhouette. We will thoroughly discuss all your surgical options during your consultation to devise a personalized plan that perfectly aligns with your goals.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation with Lift
Combining a breast lift with implants offers the distinct advantage of enhancing both the shape and the volume of the breasts in a single, well-coordinated surgical procedure:
- Restoring fullness and volume to the upper breast pole.
- Lifting and reshaping breast tissue that has sagged or become deflated.
- Repositioning the nipple and areola to a more youthful, natural height.
- Improving overall breast proportion and symmetry.
- Creating a firmer, more elevated contour alongside added volume.
For many women, this procedure is transformative and affirming, helping them feel more balanced, uplifted, and confident in their appearance. During our consultation, I will dedicate time to understanding your vision and guiding you through your options, so we can achieve results that feel natural, elegant, and beautifully your own.
About the Procedure
Augmentation mastopexy is a dual procedure that involves a breast lift to elevate and reshape the existing breast tissue and breast augmentation using implants to restore or enhance volume. The fundamental objective is to provide volume using implants while simultaneously removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue for a lifted, balanced outcome.
There are two main surgical approaches for a breast lift with augmentation: single-stage and two-stage.
- Single-stage: The implant placement and the breast lift are performed during a single surgery. I strategically place the necessary incisions and insert the implants either beneath the muscle (submuscular) or above it (subglandular), based on your specific anatomy and goals. I then remove excess skin and reshape the breasts so they achieve a firmer, lifted, and more natural-looking contour. I also raise the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position and reduce the areola size if required for ideal balance. This approach is preferred for many patients and offers the benefit of a single recovery period.
- Two-stage: In certain situations, a two-stage approach may be recommended to maximize safety and optimize results. This involves performing the breast lift first, allowing adequate time for healing and tissue stabilization, and then inserting the implants and performing any final reshaping during a second procedure. This two-stage plan can offer enhanced precision and predictability, particularly when a significant amount of lifting or a large change in size is required.
The result of augmentation mastopexy is a breast contour that is fuller, more balanced, and more youthful, better reflecting how you feel—confident, vibrant, and strong.
Implant Types
I offer the following advanced types of breast implants for augmentation mastopexy:
- Saline Implants: Filled with sterile saltwater, these implants offer a uniform shape and are FDA-approved for patients 18 and older.
- Silicone Implants: Known for their soft, highly natural texture and feel, I utilize the latest generation of cohesive silicone implants, which are FDA-approved for patients 22 and older.
- Motiva Implants: This is an advanced, next-generation silicone implant featuring a smooth, flexible surface and excellent safety profile. They are highly praised by patients for their natural movement and feel, and they are FDA-approved for patients 22 and older.
- Sientra® Implants: Sientra is recognized as a leader in implant safety, offering next-generation cohesive silicone gel implants engineered to deliver both natural beauty and long-term confidence. Designed to mimic the feel of natural breast tissue while maintaining a stable shape, these implants feature a smooth surface that supports predictable, long-lasting outcomes. Backed by extensive clinical data and among the lowest reported complication and rupture rates in the industry, Sientra sets a high benchmark for patient safety. Their industry-leading 20-year warranty underscores a profound commitment to quality and patient assurance. Sientra implants are FDA-approved for women 22 and older.
We will collaboratively select the ideal profile, size, and type of implant to complement your lift and enhance your shape both beautifully and safely.
Surgical Techniques (Incision Patterns)
I use several different incision patterns during a breast lift procedure, and I will select the technique that is best suited for your desired implants, the degree of sagging you have, your skin quality, and your specific breast shape:
- Periareolar Incision (Donut Lift): This involves a circular incision placed only around the edge of the areola. It is only appropriate for certain implant types and is best reserved for correcting mild to moderate sagging, offering minimal scarring.
- Vertical (Lollipop) Incision: This combines an incision around the areola with a vertical incision extending down to the breast crease. This technique is commonly used for moderate sagging and allows for greater tissue reshaping and more implant options.
- Anchor (Inverted-T) Incision: This pattern adds a horizontal incision along the breast fold to the vertical pattern. This technique provides the greatest flexibility in tissue contouring and implant selection, and it is most suitable for correcting more significant sagging and accommodating larger implants.
Your personalized surgical plan—whether it is a single-stage or a two-stage approach—will be fully customized based on your anatomy, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. Every decision is made with careful attention to proportion, safety, and achieving the most natural, lasting results possible.
Recovery and Healing
The recovery period after augmentation mastopexy is typically very manageable, though it is generally slightly more involved than a lift or augmentation performed alone. You will be able to return home the same day and are encouraged to get up and walk around. Mild discomfort, tightness, and swelling are normal for the first one to two weeks. Most patients feel ready to resume non-strenuous, light activities and work within five to ten days, but all heavy lifting and rigorous upper body exercise must be avoided for four to six weeks. Your new breast shape will continue to refine as swelling resolves over the course of six to twelve weeks, and your surgical scars will continue to fade over time.
I will provide continuous support throughout your recovery to ensure your results heal beautifully, offering close guidance on scar care and how to maintain your results long-term.
Breast Augmentation with Lift FAQs
What is the main advantage of combining a lift and augmentation?
Many women with deflated, sagging breasts benefit significantly from combining these procedures. If your breasts lack volume, implants can provide fullness, but if they are also sagging (with nipples sitting below the breast crease), implants alone are often insufficient. Combining a lift with implants addresses both concerns simultaneously, achieving elevated, full, and shapely results all at once.
Can I get a breast lift without implants?
Yes, a breast lift (mastopexy) can certainly be performed on its own. However, if you have experienced significant volume loss in the upper breast or desire a fuller, rounder shape, adding implants may be recommended to achieve a more balanced, youthful contour. During your consultation, I will evaluate your breast position, degree of fullness, and skin quality to determine if implants should be recommended alongside your lift.
Do I get to choose the size and type of implants?
Yes. We will thoroughly review all your implant options together, and I will guide you toward the choices that are the best fit for your desired outcome and individual anatomy.
Is it safe to perform both procedures at the same time?
For the majority of patients, yes. A single-stage augmentation mastopexy is very safe when meticulously planned. In some specific cases, a two-stage approach may be recommended for enhanced safety or to produce better long-term results, particularly if a larger implant or a significant degree of lift is required.
Will I have noticeable scars?
All breast surgery involves some degree of scarring, but I utilize incision patterns that are placed as discreetly as possible and typically fade significantly over time. I will also provide detailed instructions for scar care and closely monitor your healing to ensure the best possible long-term aesthetic result.
Will my results look natural?
Yes. My focus is on achieving soft transitions, ideal proportions, and thoughtful implant selection to ensure that your results enhance, rather than overpower, your natural figure.
How long will the results last?
Your results will be long-lasting, especially when maintained with a stable, healthy weight and lifestyle. While the natural process of aging will continue, your breasts will remain more youthful and balanced than if the surgery had not been performed.