Breast Lift with Implants

A breast lift with implants is a cosmetic surgery that combines a breast lift (mastopexy) with a breast augmentation to enhance multiple aspects of breast appearance in one comprehensive procedure. As we age, our skin loses collagen, causing it to stretch and sag. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and aging can further cause the breasts to lose their shape. These factors can also cause the nipple and areola to change position. 

No matter your age, breast changes can leave you feeling self-conscious. But, a breast lift with implants can provide significant improvements in size, shape, and symmetry. As the lift repositions the breasts higher on the chest for youthful firmness and contour, augmentation with silicone or saline implants enhances volume. The combination of breast lift with implants has helped many patients achieve their desired breast contour.

Dr. Robert Bonillas is a plastic surgeon with a passion for providing the highest quality care and improving the lives of his patients. Through his years of experience, he has perfected the art of the breast implant as well as the breast lift. Every woman deserves beautiful breasts that make her happy, so contact Dr. Bonillas’ office today to schedule your personal consultation. You can reach the offices of Scottsdale Plastics directly by calling (480) 245-6380.

Before and After Photos

View More Photos

About

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that there were almost 300,000 breast augmentations and over 100,000 breast lift procedures performed in 2019. ⁽¹⁾ But although these numbers continue to grow, the demand for cosmetic breast surgery is nothing new! Breast augmentations have been among the top five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures since 2006.⁽¹⁾ The majority of breast augmentations are performed with synthetic implants, which are a silicone shell with either silicone gel, or sterile saline solution inside. In 2020, silicone implants were used for 84% of breast augmentation procedures.⁽¹⁾ Today’s silicone implants are safer than ever and come in an array of sizes, textures, and projection levels. 

Silicone Implants

Whatever your ideal aesthetic is, and whatever body type you have, there’s a silicone implant that will work for you! The wide range of choices allows patients to select an implant type that matches their goals. Modern silicone implants are filled with a firm cohesive gel which means even smaller implants have significant projection, and a natural and realistic feel. 

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile saline solution. While saline implants might not feel as realistic to some, they can be inflated to varying degrees during placement for precision control of the final volume. 

Benefits

A breast lift with implants can give you a renewed breast profile, and help you rediscover their body confidence.

Candidates

Most patients wishing to raise their breast profile and increase their size are eligible for a breast lift with implants. However, it is necessary that you are healthy enough for surgery. You may not be able to undergo cosmetic breast surgery in the following circumstances.

Be sure to also inform Dr. Bonillas about any prior surgeries, your current use of oral contraceptives, your current medications, and your family history of breast cancer, since these may also affect your eligibility for the procedure. ⁽³⁾

Personal Consultation

A breast lift with implants is an intricate procedure that must be approached on an individualized basis in order to achieve the best results. You will have a personal consultation with Dr. Bonillas before your procedure so he can get a better sense of your situation and devise a suitable treatment plan. The meeting will allow him to conduct a physical evaluation and ask you about your goals. It is important to get as much information as possible in order to select the perfect implants and create the ideal treatment plan for you, so please be ready to answer some questions about your medical history. 

Which Implant is Right for Me?

Implants vary in size and shape and can have smooth or textured exteriors. There are many different factors involved in choosing the right type. Dr. Bonillas will ensure that you receive the ideal implant for your unique physiology and treatment goals. He will spend the necessary time to fully explain the benefits and challenges of the procedure, and will be happy to show you some examples of what you can expect to see after your surgery is complete. After a meticulous physical evaluation and thorough discussion of what you’d like to achieve through the procedure, you’ll be given a personalized treatment plan that will deliver the results you desire. 

Surgical Approaches

There are four types of incisions for breast augmentation with implants. Periareolar and inframammary are the most common types of incisions. The transaxillary and transumbilical methods are only suitable for saline implants.

Inframammary

The inframammary approach involves placing the incision along the inframammary fold or the crease along the bottom of the breast. This is the most common method of breast augmentation and is ideal for silicone implants in patients with well-defined inframammary folds and a history of low-visibility scarring.

Periareolar

For some patients, it is necessary to make incisions around all, or part of the areola. The periareolar incision follows the contour of the lower half of the areola, which conceals the scar. It is often the ideal incision choice for patients with poorly defined inframammary folds.

Transaxillary

The transaxillary method involves an incision along the armpit. The uninflated saline implant is threaded through the tunnel and inflated once in place.

Transumbilical (TUBA)

The transumbilical method or TUBA (trans-umbilical breast augmentation) is an advanced breast implantation method in which the incision is made around the navel. This method minimizes scarring. The uninflated saline implants are carefully threaded through the incision and inflated once in place.

Preparation

Dr. Bonillas will ensure that you have everything you need in preparation for your breast lift procedure. Patients should avoid using alcohol and stop taking medications that thin the blood in the days and weeks before their surgery. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), and other NSAID medications like naproxen. Alcohol, blood-thinning medications and some dietary supplements can increase the likelihood of bleeding during the procedure, so be sure to tell Dr. Bonillas what you are currently taking. Additionally, patients who smoke should cease smoking completely in the weeks prior to, and after the procedure. This is because nicotine impairs the body’s healing response and limits blood flow to the treatment area.

Procedure

A breast lift procedure with augmentation is performed under general anesthesia. It takes between two to five hours to complete, depending on the treatment plan. Dr. Bonillas makes incisions at predetermined points, then lifts and reshapes tissue. Once the skin is positioned aesthetically, the excess is removed. Next, Dr. Bonillas performs the augmentation stage. The implants are inserted either above or below the pectoralis muscle in the chest wall, depending on the patient’s anatomy and treatment goals. After both stages of the procedure are complete, Dr. Bonillas will suture the incisions shut.

Recovery

Dr. Bonillas will dress the treated area appropriately and secure a compression garment around your chest. This garment will aid your recovery, and you will be instructed to wear it for around 6 weeks. You can return to light activity within one week, but avoid sleeping on your side or your stomach. In the weeks that follow, you will return to Scottsdale Plastics to have your stitches removed. In the interim period, it will be important not to stretch or strain your upper body, keep well hydrated, and take your medication as directed to alleviate discomfort. Most people are able to return to work after around one week. After six weeks, you will be able to resume more strenuous activities and exercise.

Results

A breast lift with implants can totally alter the shape, projection, and appearance of your breasts. The results of the procedure will be immediately apparent. The full extent of the results, however, will only be visible once the swelling goes down after approximately four to six weeks. Breast implants do not last forever. General guidance for patients indicates that they be removed or replaced after approximately ten years. It is also important to get periodical MRI scans in order to monitor the condition of your implants.

How Much Does a Breast Lift with Implants Cost in Scottsdale, Arizona?

The cost of a combined breast lift and augmentation procedure can vary depending on the specific details of your treatment plan. Dr. Bonillas will be able to give you an estimate during your personal consultation. Scottsdale Plastics also offers financing options to qualified candidates. Contact us today to schedule your personal consultation and find out more. 

References

1. PLASTIC SURGERY STATISTICS REPORT 2020.; 2020. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2020.pdf
2. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2022. Accessed September 20, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29489168/
3. Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057