Breast Lift with Implants in Delafield
Lift and fullness, settled into one shape.
Breast lift with implants, also known as augmentation mastopexy, is a combined surgical procedure that lifts sagging breasts and adds volume with implants in a single operation. Board-certified plastic surgeons perform this procedure to address both ptosis (drooping) and volume loss simultaneously, reshaping the breast while restoring fullness. The combination is more complex than either procedure alone due to competing tissue vectors involved in lifting and expanding.
At a Glance
- Combined breast lift and augmentation can be safely performed in a single stage, with studies showing no increase in severe complications compared to staged procedures[6]
- Breast augmentation and breast lift are among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States[4]
- The combination of breast lift with augmentation starts to increase significantly among patients in their mid to late 30s[4]
- The longer a patient has breast implants, the greater the likelihood of developing complications that may require additional surgery[5]
Before & after
Real faces, real results.
Before & after
Augmentation Mastopexy
Before & after
Augmentation Mastopexy
Before & after
Augmentation Mastopexy
Individual results vary. Photos shown with patient consent.
Overview
Augmentation mastopexy combines two distinct surgical techniques in one operation. The mastopexy component removes excess skin and repositions the nipple-areola complex to a higher position on the breast mound, while the augmentation component places an implant to restore or enhance breast volume. This single-stage approach avoids the cost, recovery time, and surgical risk of two separate procedures.
The procedure is technically demanding because mastopexy tightens the skin envelope while augmentation expands it, creating competing forces on the tissue. Surgeons must balance these opposing vectors to achieve a stable, aesthetically pleasing result. Since the breast lift repositions the breast to a better shape, the implant size needed is often smaller than in augmentation alone.
Women who have experienced changes in breast shape and volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss are among the most common candidates. The procedure can also benefit individuals with naturally ptotic breasts who desire both improved projection and upper pole fullness.
What to expect
- Initial consultation to evaluate breast anatomy, discuss goals, review medical history, and select implant type and size
- Pre-operative imaging and measurements to plan incision placement and implant positioning
- General anesthesia is administered in an accredited surgical facility
- Incisions are made according to the planned pattern, typically an anchor (inverted-T) or vertical (lollipop) incision
- Excess skin is removed and the nipple-areola complex is repositioned to a higher location
- A pocket is created for the breast implant, either behind the breast tissue or behind the chest muscle
- The implant is inserted and positioned within the pocket
- Breast tissue is reshaped around the implant and the skin envelope is closed in layers with sutures
- Surgical drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation
- A supportive surgical bra or compression garment is applied
- Post-operative instructions are provided covering activity restrictions, wound care, and follow-up scheduling
How a breast lift with implants works
- The surgeon evaluates breast anatomy, skin quality, degree of ptosis, and volume goals to develop a customized surgical plan. Implant type (silicone gel or saline), size, and profile are selected based on the patient's anatomy and desired outcome.
- Excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is reshaped and tightened. The nipple-areola complex is repositioned to a higher, more youthful location on the breast mound while maintaining its blood supply and nerve connections.
- A breast implant is placed either behind the breast tissue (subglandular) or partially or fully behind the chest muscle (submuscular or dual-plane), depending on the patient's tissue thickness and the surgeon's assessment.
- The skin envelope is carefully closed around the reshaped breast and implant, balancing the tightening effect of the lift against the expansion created by the implant to achieve a stable result.
When it's recommended
- Breast ptosis (sagging) combined with loss of upper pole volume
- Volume loss and skin laxity following pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Breast deflation after significant weight loss
- Asymmetry in breast size or position requiring both correction and volume
- Nipple-areola complex that has descended below the inframammary fold
- Desire for improved breast shape, projection, and fullness in a single procedure
- Naturally ptotic breasts with inadequate volume for the patient's frame
Is a breast lift with implants right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Recovery & aftercare
- Patients typically return home the same day with a compression garment or surgical bra
- Most patients take 1 to 2 weeks off work, depending on the physical demands of their occupation
- Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and upper-body exercise are generally restricted for 4 to 6 weeks
- Swelling and bruising are most prominent in the first 2 weeks and gradually resolve over several weeks
- Surgical drains, if placed, are typically removed within the first week
- Sutures may be absorbable or removed at a follow-up appointment within 1 to 2 weeks
- Scars mature and fade over 12 to 18 months and continue to improve with sun protection
- Final breast shape and implant position stabilize over 3 to 6 months as tissues settle
Alternatives
- Breast lift (mastopexy) alone for patients who have adequate volume but need repositioning
- Breast augmentation alone for patients with good breast position but insufficient volume
- Staged procedure with mastopexy first followed by augmentation several months later
- Fat transfer breast augmentation combined with mastopexy as an implant-free alternative
- Auto-augmentation mastopexy, which uses the patient's own breast tissue to add upper pole fullness
Related treatments
How much does a breast lift with implants cost?
A breast lift with implants at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $15,500. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A breast lift with implants, also called augmentation mastopexy, is a combined surgical procedure that lifts sagging breasts and adds volume using implants in a single operation. It addresses both the position and the size of the breasts, making it a common choice for patients who have experienced changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is common and typically managed with prescribed pain medication. Most patients describe the sensation as tightness and soreness, which generally improves significantly within the first week.
- Research suggests that combining a breast lift with augmentation in a single procedure is safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. As with any surgery, there are risks involved, which are discussed in detail during the consultation. See the risks section above for specific potential complications.
- Most patients return to desk work within 1 to 2 weeks. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting are typically restricted for 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling gradually subsides over several weeks, and the final breast shape stabilizes over 3 to 6 months as tissues settle around the implants.
- The procedure typically takes 2 to 4 hours under general anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess skin, repositions the nipple-areola complex, places the implant, and closes the incisions. Patients go home the same day wearing a supportive surgical bra and receive detailed post-operative care instructions.
- Patients with active breast infections, uncontrolled medical conditions that impair healing, current pregnancy or breastfeeding, or known allergies to implant materials may not be suitable candidates. A thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can determine individual eligibility.
Breast Lift with Implants risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active breast infection or untreated skin conditions in the surgical area
- Known allergy to silicone or saline implant materials
- Current pregnancy or active breastfeeding
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that impair wound healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes
- Active autoimmune disorders that may complicate implant integration
- Unrealistic expectations about surgical outcomes (requires thorough consultation)
- Inadequate breast tissue to safely support both a lift and an implant
Possible risks
- Capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant)
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Implant malposition, asymmetry, or rotation requiring revision
- Wound healing complications including delayed healing or wound separation
- Infection at the surgical site or around the implant
- Hematoma or seroma (fluid collection) requiring drainage
- Scarring, which varies by incision pattern and individual healing
- Implant rupture or deflation requiring replacement surgery
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare cancer of the immune system associated with textured implants
- Recurrent ptosis over time due to gravity, aging, or weight changes
- Need for revision surgery to address complications or aesthetic concerns
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 7 sources, including government health agencies, peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-06-13