A breast lift with implants can be a great way to achieve fuller, lifted bust in women who have had children or experienced weight loss (or both in many cases).
But do you wonder, “can I have a breast lift and implants at the same operation or should it be done in 2 stages?”.
In this article I discuss the path that I recommend most for my patients
One stage vs two stage lift and implants
While a one stage procedure seems more appealing because you’re effectively hitting two birds with one stone, a two-stage procedure is almost always recommended.
Why? When we look at what happens during a breast lift and implant procedure, the operations are trying to achieve almost opposite objectives. A lift is done to reduce the breast skin and tissue to lift the nipple higher on the chest wall. While implants are placed to stretch out the breast skin and add extra volume.
Sometimes when combining these two procedures, it results in the scars being too stretched where the incisions were made around the nipples and up the middle of the breast. This is due to the internal force and weight from the implants. That pressure on the suture lines can also cause healing difficulties and in some cases, wound breakdowns and infection.
Combining the procedures can also affect the final lifting and shaping effect. So they don’t end up as lifted as the patient might have hoped.
I find that performing the lift first, allowing the scars to fully heal and start to fade, before introducing an implant leads to smaller, neater scars and overall better implant placement in most women. I generally stage these operations 9-12 months apart.
When will you recommend a one stage vs two stage?
Rarely. In my practice, I often see women with significant laxity and skin damage (such as excessive stretch marks) who seek a larger implant. In order to achieve the best possible long-term result, I will almost always recommend a two-stage approach to a breast lift and implants.
One stage vs two stage costs
- Two stage breast lift with implants: the total fee is from $30,000
This cost includes the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, hospital stay, leading brand implants, garments, follow-up care and LED therapy for scar minimisation. More information is here.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
For two-stage procedures with a substantial lift in the first stage, a Medicare item number may apply for that first surgery only. My team can discuss this in further detail with you.
Try before you buy with a Vectra surgery simulation
A great way to ‘Try before you buy’ is to come in and have a $100 Vectra 3D photo simulation with my Practice Manager.
Many patients love this service because it gives them a much better idea of what a breast lift, or implants or both could look like on your own body. The cost is $100 which is rebated against your consultation with me if you decide to continue exploring if the surgery is right for you.
More information or to book a consultation
Discover more about breast lift with implants including information on hospital arrangements, recovery and a 3D animation explaining the procedure by visiting our breast lift with implants page.
To contact our team to make an appointment with me, please call 4920 7700 or send us a message via the form below.
Blog Author:
Dr Nicholas Moncrieff, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
About Dr Moncrieff
Dr Moncrieff focuses exclusively on breast reductions, breast lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and body lifts.
He is one of only a handful of Plastic Surgeons across Australia with this sole breast and body focus.
Dr Moncrieff has performed thousands of surgical procedures over more than two decades in medicine. Over 20,000 of these procedures have been in Newcastle.
