If your breasts have lost volume and shape after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes, an implant alone may not give you the result you want. A breast augmentation with lift (also called an augmentation-mastopexy) addresses both problems in one operation: it raises and reshapes sagging tissue while adding fullness. This guide explains who needs the combined procedure, what it costs, how recovery works at Dr. Nidia De Jesus’s Miami practice, and what questions to ask.

What Is a Breast Augmentation with Lift?

A breast augmentation uses implants to increase breast size and upper-pole fullness. A breast lift (mastopexy) removes excess skin, tightens the surrounding tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the chest. When you combine them, the implant provides volume while the lift removes the loose skin envelope that would otherwise let the breast slide down over the implant.

Many patients assume an implant by itself will “fill out” a sagging breast. In reality, if the nipple sits below the breast crease, a larger implant can make the breast look bottom-heavy, a look often called a “waterfall” or “double bubble” deformity. For these patients, the lift is what creates a natural, youthful contour. If you are still deciding between the two operations, our article on breast lift vs. augmentation walks through the differences.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate for the combined procedure if you have one or more of the following:

• Nipples that point downward or sit at or below the fold under the breast
• Stretched, loose skin and an elongated breast shape after pregnancy or weight loss
• Empty or deflated upper breast with a desire for more volume
• Enlarged or stretched areolas that you would like reduced
• Breasts that have changed after breastfeeding and no longer match your goals

Good candidates are in stable health, do not smoke (or are willing to stop well before surgery), have realistic expectations, and are at a stable weight. Women planning future pregnancies often choose to wait, since pregnancy can change the result. During your consultation Dr. De Jesus will examine your skin quality, nipple position, and chest shape, then recommend either an implant alone, a lift alone, or the combination. Some patients with mild sagging can get a great result with an implant only, and she will tell you honestly when that is the case.

How the Procedure Works

The surgery is performed under anesthesia in an accredited setting and usually takes a few hours. Dr. De Jesus first plans the lift pattern based on how much skin needs to be removed. Common patterns include a circumareolar (around the areola) incision, a vertical or “lollipop” incision, and, for more significant sagging, an anchor-shaped incision that also follows the breast crease.

The implant is placed either under the muscle or over it, depending on your anatomy, tissue thickness, and goals. Implants come in silicone or saline; our guides to silicone vs. saline implants and choosing breast implant sizes explain how to think through those decisions. Once the implant is positioned, excess skin is removed, the breast is reshaped, and the nipple is moved to its new height.

One Stage or Two?

Most patients can have augmentation and lift together in a single surgery. In some cases, especially with very significant sagging or when large implants are desired, a staged approach (lift first, implants later, or the reverse) is safer and gives a more predictable result. Dr. De Jesus will explain which route fits you. Combining the procedures does carry a somewhat higher chance of needing a touch-up than either surgery alone, which is a normal part of this more complex operation.

Cost of Breast Augmentation with Lift in Miami

Pricing varies with the lift pattern, the type of implant, anesthesia, and facility fees. Because the combined operation is more complex than an implant-only surgery, it typically costs more than augmentation alone. The most reliable way to know your total is a personalized quote after an exam.

What matters is what the fee includes. At Dr. De Jesus’s practice, post-operative care is built around daily in-person visits, and the recovery services described below are included. For help with payment, read our plastic surgery financing guide. Patients traveling from out of town can also review our comparison of Miami, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic to understand the real cost of safety and follow-up care.

Recovery: What to Expect

Recovery after augmentation with lift is similar to a breast augmentation, with a little extra attention to the incisions. At Dr. De Jesus’s practice, recovery means daily clinic visits during business hours, roughly eight hours a day, rather than an overnight stay. Dr. De Jesus sees you in person every single day to check your progress. Your visit includes 7 lymphatic massages, 7 IV therapy sessions, and daily surgeon exams, all included.

Out-of-town patients stay at the Best Western directly behind the office (zip 33134), which offers a free airport shuttle. You will need a companion (a family member or friend) for the first several days to help with getting around, medications, and basic tasks while you rest. Our companion planning guide and packing checklist help you prepare.

A General Timeline

• Days 1-3: Soreness, tightness, and swelling are expected. Rest, take medications as directed, and attend your daily visits.
• Week 1: Discomfort eases. You will wear a supportive surgical bra. Light walking is encouraged to support circulation.
• Weeks 2-3: Many patients return to desk work. Avoid lifting your arms overhead or lifting anything heavy.
• Weeks 4-6: Swelling continues to settle and implants begin to “drop” into position. Your surgeon will clear you to gradually resume exercise; see our exercise timeline.
• 3-6 months: Swelling resolves and the breasts take their final shape. Scars continue to fade for a year or longer.

For a day-by-day look at the implant side of recovery, see our breast augmentation recovery guide. Eating well also helps healing; see our post-surgery diet guide.

Scars: What You Should Know

A lift always leaves scars, and they are the trade-off for the improved shape. The length depends on the lift pattern: a circumareolar lift leaves a scar around the areola, while vertical and anchor patterns add a line down the breast and, for anchor lifts, along the crease. Scars are red and firm at first, then flatten and fade over 12 to 18 months. Following your aftercare plan, protecting the skin from the sun, and avoiding tension on the incisions all help. Our article on minimizing plastic surgery scars covers modern techniques.

Risks and Realistic Expectations

Any surgery carries risk, including infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, asymmetry, capsular contracture, and delayed wound healing. Combining a lift with implants adds some complexity, which is why choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon matters. Use our list of 10 questions to ask when choosing a surgeon as a guide. Results vary from person to person, and nothing in this article replaces a personal evaluation.

Combining with Other Procedures

Many women who need a breast lift are also thinking about their abdomen or body after children. Breast augmentation with lift is a common piece of a mommy makeover, often paired with a tummy tuck or liposuction. See what a mommy makeover includes in our complete overview, and the main breast augmentation page for more about implant options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a breast lift and implants at the same time?

Yes, most candidates can have both in one surgery. In some cases, Dr. De Jesus may recommend staging the procedures for safety and a more predictable result.

Will I lose nipple sensation?

Sensation changes are common early on and usually improve over weeks to months. A small percentage of patients have lasting changes. This is discussed in detail during your consultation.

How long do the results last?

Implants are not lifetime devices and may eventually need replacement. Lift results also change gradually with gravity, aging, pregnancy, and weight shifts, but a well-planned procedure can look good for many years.

Do I need to stay overnight in a recovery facility?

No. Recovery is through daily clinic visits during business hours, with Dr. De Jesus seeing you in person each day. Out-of-town patients stay at the Best Western behind the office, with a free airport shuttle, and bring a companion for the first several days.

How soon can I fly home?

Dr. De Jesus will clear you based on how you are healing, and the daily visits let her monitor you closely before travel.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are considering a breast augmentation with lift, Dr. Nidia De Jesus, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami, can evaluate your goals and recommend the right approach. Call (305) 600-3736 or email info@nidiadejesusmd.com to book your free consultation. Our office is at 51 SW 42nd Ave STE 105, Miami, FL 33134.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Individual results vary.