Breast Augmentation with Lift

A breast augmentation and lift, also called augmentation mastopexy, is a combination surgical procedure where excess skin is removed from the breast mound, the nipple position is lifted, and an implant is inserted to adjust the size. Combining both procedures allows patients to achieve better contour, shape, and a more youthful breast outline in one surgery.

At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, Dr. Suresh Koneru is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience in cosmetic medicine. If you are looking to enhance your breasts with the help of Dr. Koneru’s expertise and attention to detail, contact us today to schedule a private consultation. Reach us directly by calling our office at (210) 499-5900, or filling out our convenient contact form.

Before and After Photos

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About Breast Augmentation with Lift

There are many different techniques used during breast augmentation and lift procedures. Since a breast augmentation usually involves the use of implants that increase the volume of the breast, this portion of the surgery is performed first to ensure there is enough skin to comfortably encapsulate the breast tissue. How much skin is removed depends on how much ptosis (sagging) a patient is experiencing. This also often determines which incision pattern is used by Dr. Koneru. There are three main incision patterns: ⁽¹⁾ These patterns may be combined depending on the patient. Dr. Koneru will determine your incisions during your private consultation.

Vertical Augmentation Mastopexy

Breast lifts can be performed on patients who have only a small amount of excess skin as well as those with severe ptosis around the lower half of the breasts. During a vertical augmentation/mastopexy, Dr. Koneru will tighten and reduce the lower pole (skin underneath the nipple and along the fold), effectively elevating the breast to a higher position. This method essentially allows Dr. Koneru to avoid the use of a horizontal incision across the fold itself, making it less invasive than other techniques while also leaving the patient with less scarring around the breast. ⁽¹⁾

Inverted-T (Anchor) Augmentation Mastopexy Methods

Dr. Koneru makes his incision around the nipple, down the lower half of the breast, and then along the inframammary fold. This also allows him to remove the necessary amount of skin to perform a proper breast lift while still leaving enough room for the implant. An inverted-T incision pattern is usually effective for patients with more extensive ptosis. ⁽²⁾

Periareolar Augmentation Mastopexy

As the name suggests, this incision pattern extends only around the nipple to avoid any vertical or horizontal scarring. It can be utilized if the patient has minimal sagging and good skin elasticity. Placing an implant allows for much of the excess skin to tighten, allowing Dr. Koneru to reposition the nipple without removing skin from anywhere but directly around it. ⁽¹⁾  Dr. Koneru rarely uses this approach as it tends to yield a “boxy” appearance to the breast. If you are looking for more information on breast augmentation, breast lifts, or cosmetic procedures in general, check out our blog.

Augmentation Mastopexy with Fat Transfer

Dr. Koneru performs many augmentation mastopexes without the use of implants as a more natural alternative. Instead, he uses donor fat from another area of the patient’s body. Fat transfer with a breast lift combines breast enhancement and body contouring, allowing patients to address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously. 

Fat does not cause increased pressure from the inside, so Dr. Koneru can get a tighter lift without the complications of nipple necrosis or wound breakdown. This combination is often sought by individuals who want to achieve fuller and lifted breasts without using implants or in cases where implants alone may not be sufficient to address sagging. One of the only disadvantages to this type of procedure is that patients may require more than one fat grafting session.

Benefits of a Breast Augmentation with Lift

There are many benefits to combining breast augmentation and lift procedures into one. Patients can achieve:

Breast augmentation and lifts are:

This combination procedure from Dr. Koneru allows you to undergo only one surgery while achieving the maximum results. Streamlining the process is a good way to get you your desired results without having to heal twice from different procedures.

Ideal Candidates

The best patients for this procedure are those who have:

And those who want to:

To undergo this procedure, you must also be a nonsmoker, or willing to quit before your surgery date.

Breast augmentation and lift procedures can also be beneficial for those looking for more shapely breasts but want a smaller implant size. Once the lift is performed, there is typically less of a need for implants on the larger end of the spectrum. You will have the chance to discuss your options during your consultation with Dr. Koneru.

Personal Consultation

When you come in for your private consultation with Dr. Koneru, he will first ask you about your medical history to make sure you are fit for surgery. He will then perform a medical examination to determine if a breast augmentation and lift is the right procedure for your specific needs. Please prepare any questions you may have before your appointment. Dr. Koneru is happy to answer all your inquiries during this time to ensure you understand every step of the process. At the end of the consultation, a member of our staff will assist you with scheduling your surgery. 

Preparation

To best prepare for your breast augmentation and lift, please refrain from using:

Dr. Koneru will provide all preoperative information and directions during your consultation. We also require you to find a trusted adult to drive you to and from surgery, as well as watch over you for your first few postoperative days. 

Breast Augmentation and Lift Procedure

This procedure starts with carefully measuring the breast and estimating where the areola will be after the implants are inserted and the lift is performed. Dr. Koneru will evaluate the breast and determine where the areola complex may end up after placing the implants. This is usually done by finding the midline of the breast and taking note of the original nipple position. Once he has marked both breasts and prepared the surgery plane, you are given general anesthesia to keep you completely comfortable throughout the surgery. 

He begins by injecting the nerves to the breast with a long-lasting local anesthetic that helps manage any post-procedure pain. Known as a PECS block, patients report up to 72 hours of pain relief from this block.  Dr. Koneru is one of the few surgeons in Texas to personally perform this block for his patients.  Dr. Koneru then makes his first incisions according to the procedure plan. Since the breast augmentation is performed first, he makes his pocket next. After the chosen implants are carefully inserted, he and his surgical team sit you up to see how the breast will naturally sit. 

You are placed back down flat once the desired breast shape is measured and marked. Dr. Koneru proceeds by repositioning the areola complex, removing the amount of skin necessary for the lift, and then suturing the breast in layers starting at the inner muscle pocket. 

Dr. Koneru carefully sutures the outer layer of skin, making sure not to put too much tension on the delicate tissue. He then cleans and tapes the incisions and wraps you with a soft, bulky compression dressing. This combination surgery usually takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the patient’s circumstances. 

Recovery & Results

Breast augmentation and lift procedures are outpatient surgery, so you will be able to go home after you recover from the general anesthesia. You will likely be sore for the first recovery week, and it is imperative that you continue to wear your surgical garment until Dr. Koneru tells you it is okay not to. You may also lose some sensitivity around your nipples, but this should return further into the healing process.

After the first 4 to 6 weeks, swelling usually starts to subside. It may take 6 months to 1 year for your breasts to  completely settle into their new position, but results are detectable early on in most cases. 

What is FRAPS?

An advantage of choosing Dr. Koneru for a breast augmentation with lift procedure is his diligent attention to effective patient recovery. FRAPS stands for Fast Recovery After Plastic Surgery, a protocol that reduces hospital stay, helps patients rely less on narcotics, and helps them return to daily activities quicker. 

For more information about FRAPS, please see our blog.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation and Lift Cost in San Antonio?

Depending on the size and type of implant, procedure techniques performed, and your specific needs, the total cost of breast augmentation and lift surgery varies between patients. For more information about this combination procedure, please schedule your consultation with us today.

To get in touch with us directly, call our San Antonio office at (210) 499-5900, or fill out this contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

FAQ

References

1. Swanson E. A Comparison of 28 Published Augmentation/Mastopexy Techniques Using Photographic Measurements. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(9):e3092. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003092
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