Your breast size and shape can be dramatically changed by childbirth, weight changes, or increased age.

For women that only have a small amount of breast laxity then a lift might not be required, as a breast implant can expand and lift a slightly droopy breast. For women that have more significant breast laxity, then a breast lift with implants will provide both an improvement in size and shape at once.

This operation is more complex than other breast operations, but it provides a dramatic cosmetic improvement.

What is a breast lift with implants?

A breast lift with implants, or augmentation mastopexy, involves improving both the shape and size of your breasts.

Your breast shape is improved by a breast lift, which involves elevating the nipple and tightening the skin, resulting in a more youthful and perky breast. Your breast size is increased by inserting a breast implant, which increases the volume and projection of your breast.

An augmentation mastopexy can be performed in one operation, or is sometimes staged over two operations, with the mastopexy performed first.

Is a breast lift with implants for me?

You might be a candidate for breast lift surgery with implants if you:

  • Are unhappy with your small breast size.
  • Are also unhappy with your breast shape, or have extra loose and lax breast skin.
  • Are in good health, including not smoking.
  • Have realistic expectations, including accepting scars on your breasts.

What does breast lift with implants involve?

At a glance:

  • Time in surgery: 2 – 3 hours.
  • Time in hospital: Day case or overnight stay.
  • Time off work: 1 – 2 weeks.
  • Time before driving: 1 – 2 weeks.
  • Time wearing a supportive garment: 6 weeks.
  • Time before exercise including gym: 6 weeks.

Breast lift with implants (augmentation mastopexy) has two main goals.

The first goal is to improve breast shape by lifting the nipple higher on the chest and tightening any loose saggy breast skin, resulting in a rejuvenated and youthful breast. To achieve this incisions are placed around the areola, down the front of the breast, and sometimes in the breast crease.

The second goal is to improve breast size by inserting a silicone breast implant, usually partly under the muscle, which adds increased volume and projection to the breast.

Can I have breast lift surgery and implants during the same operation?

This is a common question, and the answer is often yes – but with some conditions.

While a breast lift reduces the size of your breast skin, a breast implant does the opposite and tries to increase the size of your breast skin. As these two goals are completely opposite to one another, many patients benefit from having a breast lift first, then inserting an implant some months later when the scars have settled.

Staging it over two separate operations costs more, but produces more reliable and aesthetic results. However doing both during one operation is possible with the right patient and right conditions, including accepting that a small revision procedure is sometimes required in the future.

What is the recovery after breast lift with implants surgery?

Breast lift with implant surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (with you asleep), and either as day or overnight surgery. It can be performed as one larger surgery, or sometimes staged as two smaller surgeries, and Dr Colbert will discuss both of these options with you during your consultation.

Most patients take at least two weeks away from work, with a gradual return to full activities over one to two months.

What scars can I expect after breast lift with implants?

Breast lift with implants involves placing scars on the breast in order to improve the breast shape. These scars are usually around the areola and down the front of the breast, and sometimes may also sit within the breast crease. After several months these scars usually settle into position and become less noticeable with time.

What are the risks associated with breast lift with implants?

Having a breast lift with implants is associated with the following risks:

  • Infection: infection of the breast tissue or implant may require antibiotics, or further surgery.
  • Bruising and bleeding: bruising is common after surgery and required no treatment, while excessive bleeding may require a return to the operating theatre to remove any collections of blood.
  • Scarring: scarring will usually become paler and finer with time, but may rarely be lumpy or thick (keloid or hypertrophic scarring).
  • Delayed wound healing: incisions may take longer to heal in some areas and require dressings or sometimes further surgery.
  • Partial or total nipple loss: thankfully this is very rare, but is still a very important complication to discuss.
  • Breast asymmetry: while Dr Colbert will strive to make your breasts as symmetrical as possible, no two breasts are perfectly identical in shape or size.
  • Breast implant risks: these risks include infection, changing position, rupture, capsular contracture, and revision.
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE): DVT refers to blood clots in your legs which can travel to your lung (PE).
  • Further surgery: sometimes further surgery may be beneficial to improve the final shape or symmetry between the breasts.
  • Breast surgery is like any surgical procedures in that it carries risks – therefore before having any operation you should always speak to an appropriately qualified health practitioner about these potential risks.
Why should you see Dr Colbert for your breast lift with implants?

Perth women see Dr Colbert for augmentation mastopexy surgery because they want expert care by a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

  • Dr Colbert MBBS FRACS (Plastic Surgery) is an Australian trained and fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
  • Dr Colbert is one of only a few Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Australia who focuses exclusively on breast and body surgery.
  • Dr Colbert personally performs all surgery and aftercare himself, and doesn’t get surgical assistants or nurses to treat you during or after your operation.
  • Dr Colbert and his staff are renowned for their amazing patient care, delivered in a comfortable and stress-free environment.

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How much does breast lift with implants cost in Perth?

Costs associated with breast lift with implant surgery can be confusing, so to help make things clearer we have listed the the following fees that make up the final cost.

In general, the main fees for breast lift with implant surgery are the surgical fee, breast implant fee, anaesthetic fee, and hospital fee. The total final cost depends on many factors, including whether it is performed in one or two stages, and if the first part (mastopexy) is cosmetic or reconstructive.

If you meet Medicare criteria for mastopexy, then the first part may be partly subsidised by Medicare and your private health fund, however there will still be out of pocket costs to pay. Unfortunately we are only able to provide an accurate quote that reflects all of these different factors after a consultation with Dr Colbert.

Where can I find out more?

To find out more about breast lift surgery in Perth please contact our friendly office staff.

Alternatively you can leave a message by simply filling out our contact form.

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