Breast augmentation with lift restores fullness and raises the breasts in a single, carefully planned surgery. At SVIA® Plastic Surgery, Drs. Jerome and Tom Liu perform breast augmentation with lift in Los Gatos for patients who want both shape and volume.
Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgeons Serving Silicon Valley
Both Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have completed selective fellowships in aesthetic plastic surgery, training that only a small number of surgeons receive each year. Their breast expertise extends beyond the operating room: each has served on advisory panels or as a consultant for breast implant manufacturers, and Dr. Tom Liu is Co-Medical Director of the Plastic and Breast Program at El Camino Hospital.
Combining an implant with a lift is one of the more technically demanding procedures in breast surgery, because the surgeon must balance added volume against a tightened skin envelope. That is why the doctors at SVIA® Plastic Surgery plan every augmentation mastopexy around each patient's anatomy, goals, and long-term breast health.
What Is Breast Augmentation with Lift?
Breast augmentation with lift, medically called augmentation mastopexy, combines two procedures that each solve a problem the other cannot. Implants are used to make breasts larger, while a breast lift removes excess skin and reshapes tissue without changing size.
During the combined surgery, each part plays a distinct role:
- The breast implant adds volume, providing structure and upper-breast fullness
- The breast lift tailors the skin around that new shape, tightening the breast
- Nipple and areola repositioning moves the nipple to a higher, more centered position and can reduce stretched areolas
Most patients have both procedures at once. A review published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that a single-stage approach can cost less and avoid a second round of anesthesia. In some cases, such as significant sagging paired with a large desired size change, Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu may recommend staging the lift and implanting a few months apart for a more predictable result.
Why Los Gatos Chooses SVIA® Plastic Surgery for Breast Augmentation with Lift
Patients choose SVIA® Plastic Surgery for breast augmentation with lift in Los Gatos because of the depth of training behind every procedure. Both surgeons completed their general and plastic surgery training at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Jerome Liu then trained at UT Southwestern and the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, and Dr. Tom Liu completed an aesthetic and microsurgery fellowship in San Francisco.
The doctors also contribute to the research that shapes their field. Dr. Jerome Liu has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and chapters, including work on breast reconstruction. Dr. Tom Liu's current research focuses on advanced breast reconstruction, and his work has appeared in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Annals of Plastic Surgery.
What to Expect Before, During, and After
Consultation
Your consultation begins with a full medical evaluation and a personalized aesthetic assessment. Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu will examine your breasts, take measurements, and discuss your goals. Federal rules also require your surgeon to review anFDA patient decision checklist with you before implant surgery.
The cost of breast augmentation with lift in Los Gatos depends on several factors:
- Implant type: Silicone and saline implants differ in price, as do implant shapes and profiles.
- Lift technique: The incision pattern and the amount of reshaping needed affect surgical time.
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered by a qualified anesthesia provider.
- Facility fees: These cover the surgical suite, staff, and supplies used on the day of your procedure.
You will receive a detailed quote after your consultation. The practice charges a consultation fee that can be applied toward surgery, and patient financing is available for qualified applicants.
Choosing Your Implants
Implant selection shapes your final result, so SVIA® Plastic Surgery offers a wide range of implant types, shapes, and sizes. Your surgeon will guide you through each of these choices:
- Silicone gel implants: Filled with a cohesive gel that many patients find feels more natural.
- Saline implants: Filled with sterile salt water after placement, which can allow for smaller incisions.
- Shape and profile: Round and shaped options, in varying projections, help tailor fullness to your frame.
- Size: Chosen to complement your chest width, tissue, and desired look.
- Placement: Above or below the chest muscle, recommended based on your tissue and goals.
The Augmentation Mastopexy Procedure
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes a few hours. After placing the implant, your surgeon reshapes the breast using an incision pattern matched to the amount of lift needed:
- Periareolar: Around the edge of the areola, for mild sagging.
- Vertical ("lollipop"): Around the areola and down to the breast crease, for moderate sagging.
- Anchor: Adds a horizontal incision along the crease for more significant sagging.
Recovery and Results
Recovery after breast augmentation with lift follows a gradual timeline, with timing personalized by your surgeon:
- First few days: Expect soreness, tightness, and swelling as you rest at home.
- One to two weeks: Most patients return to desk work and light daily activities.
- About six weeks: Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting can typically resume.
- First few months: Swelling gradually subsides as the implants settle into position.
- One to two years: Scars soften and fade, and bras and swimwear can usually hide them.
Scars are permanent, but careful incision placement helps keep them discreet. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu to monitor your healing.
Breast Augmentation with Lift FAQs
What are the risks of breast augmentation with lift?
Is breast augmentation with lift done in one surgery or two?
Will I have visible scars?
Can I breastfeed after augmentation mastopexy?
How long do breast implants last?
How long will my lift results last?
What are the risks of breast augmentation with lift?
Risks include scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, capsular contracture, implant rupture, asymmetry, and recurrent sagging. The FDA notes that some implant complications require additional surgery. In one study reported by ASPS, the overall complication rate for the combined procedure was about 23 percent, similar to that of the two surgeries performed separately.
Is breast augmentation with lift done in one surgery or two?
Most patients have both procedures in a single surgery. Staging may be recommended for patients with severe sagging or a large desired size change.
Will I have visible scars?
Yes, a lift requires incisions, and the scars are permanent. Their length depends on the incision pattern, and they usually fade over one to two years.
Can I breastfeed after augmentation mastopexy?
Many patients can breastfeed afterward, although milk supply may be reduced. Share any future breastfeeding plans with your surgeon during your consultation.
How long do breast implants last?
Implants are not lifetime devices, according to the FDA, and their lifespans vary from person to person. Many patients keep their implants for years, but some will need replacement or removal over time.
How long will my lift results last?
Results are long-lasting, but aging, gravity, pregnancy, and weight changes continue to affect breast shape. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results.
