Mastopexy with augmentation combines two effective breast enhancement techniques in a single surgery to address both drooping and volume loss. The procedure lifts sagging breast tissue to a more lifted position and adds implants to restore lost fullness, creating a fuller shape that can’t be achieved with diet, exercise, or natural aging. For women who’ve experienced changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging, this combination offers complete rejuvenation without needing separate procedures.
Dr. Beth Collins, fellowship-trained in body contouring and double board-certified in plastic surgery, brings 25+ years of surgical experience to this complex procedure. She ensures the lifting and augmentation work together to achieve beautiful, balanced results.
Treatable Areas
- Upper breast volume and fullness (enhanced with implants)​
- Sagging or drooping breast position (corrected with lift)​
- Deflated or “empty” appearance after nursing or weight changes​
- Nipple-areola positioning and downward orientation
- Breast asymmetry in both shape and volume
- Stretched or enlarged areolas requiring resizing
- Loss of cleavage and projection
How Mastopexy with Augmentation Works
Imagine your ideal breasts: not just in the right spot, but with the fullness that creates a lifted upper pole. This procedure achieves both. Dr. Collins strategically combines implant placement with a lift, starting with carefully planned incisions that also enable lifting.
After the implants are in place, a lift is performed. Excess skin is removed, and breast tissue and the nipple-areola complex are repositioned to the desired height. It’s similar to building: first, a foundation (the implant) is added, then the exterior (the lift) is remodeled to enhance it. The aim is to balance the implant’s lift with the tightened skin, a process requiring experience and anatomical knowledge.
Dr. Collins customizes the incision based on how much sagging you have and what you want to achieve, using patterns from around the nipple to vertical or anchor shapes for more reshaping. During the surgery, she checks how the implants, nipple position, and overall breast shape relate to each other to prevent problems and ensure symmetry. The surgery typically takes two to three hours and is done under general anesthesia at a certified surgical facility.​
Whether you need surgical precision, metabolic wellness, or non-surgical refinement, we look at the big picture. Let’s design a unified treatment plan that addresses your health and beauty under one roof.
Results You’ll Love
- Fuller, rounder breasts with restored upper pole volume that was lost to aging or life changes​
- Elevated breast position creating a more youthful, perky silhouette on your chest wall​
- Enhanced cleavage and projection that fills out clothing and swimwear confidently​
- Corrected nipple orientation that points forward instead of downward
- Improved breast symmetry for balanced, proportionate appearance
- Tighter, smoother skin that hugs your new breast contours beautifully​
- The convenience and cost savings of addressing two concerns in one surgery and recovery period​
- Renewed confidence that reflects the vibrant, youthful energy you feel inside
Are You a Candidate for Mastopexy with Augmentation?
- You want both increased volume and improved breast position
- Your breasts have lost fullness and developed sagging after pregnancy or significant weight changes
- You desire a more comprehensive transformation than either augmentation or lift alone can provide
- You’ve finished having children, as pregnancy can affect your surgical results
- You’re at a stable, healthy weight and committed to maintaining it
- You understand this is a more complex procedure with potentially longer recovery than single procedures
- You have realistic expectations and are prepared for visible scarring, though strategically placed​
- You’re seeking expert surgical care from a specialist experienced in this technically challenging combination
Why Choose The Collins Center
- Over 25 years specializing in breast and body contouring procedures. Dr. Collins’ fellowship training and extensive surgical practice have refined her ability to execute complex combination procedures with precision and artistry.
- Personal understanding from a patient’s perspective. As a breast cancer survivor who has undergone breast procedures herself, Dr. Collins offers compassionate, informed guidance that only comes from lived experience.​
- Nationally recognized educator training surgeons nationwide. Dr. Collins teaches at the American Society of Plastic Surgery and Women’s Plastic Surgery Conference, demonstrating her mastery of advanced surgical techniques.​
- Yale clinical instructor setting standards for surgical excellence. Her role training surgical residents reflects the medical community’s recognition of her technical expertise and commitment to safety.
- Comprehensive aesthetic practice offering complete transformation options. From surgical procedures to advanced aesthetic treatments and metabolic wellness programs, The Collins Center provides coordinated care under one roof.
FAQs about Mastopexy with Augmentation
Why combine these procedures instead of doing them separately?
Combining mastopexy with augmentation allows you to address both volume loss and sagging in a single surgery, reducing overall costs, anesthesia exposure, and recovery time compared to staging procedures. For appropriate candidates, it delivers comprehensive results more efficiently.
Is this procedure more complicated than augmentation or lift alone?
Yes, this combination is technically more demanding because it involves balancing opposing forces—the implant expanding tissue while the lift tightens it. This requires specialized surgical expertise to achieve optimal outcomes and minimize complications. Dr. Collins’ extensive training and experience make her uniquely qualified to perform this complex procedure.
What size implants work best with a breast lift?
Dr. Collins will recommend implant size based on your anatomy, skin quality, degree of sagging, and aesthetic goals. Moderate-sized implants often work best, as overly large implants can increase tension on healing tissues and potentially compromise results. Your consultation will include detailed discussion of options tailored to your body.
How long is recovery compared to individual procedures?
Recovery typically resembles that of a breast lift alone, as the lift component determines healing timelines. Expect one to two weeks before returning to desk work and four to six weeks before resuming strenuous activities. You’ll wear a surgical support bra and may have temporary drains to facilitate healing.
Will I need revision surgery later?
While Dr. Collins’ expertise minimizes this risk, combination procedures do have higher revision rates than single procedures due to their complexity. Factors like implant size, skin quality, and healing response all influence outcomes. Most patients achieve their desired results in one surgery, but some may benefit from minor refinements.
Can I choose my implant type and size?
Absolutely. Dr. Collins offers both saline and silicone implants in various sizes, profiles, and shapes. During your consultation, she’ll help you select options that align with your goals while respecting the anatomical limitations that ensure safe, beautiful results.
What incision patterns are used for this combination procedure?
Dr. Collins selects incision patterns based on your degree of ptosis and breast size. Options include periareolar (around the nipple), vertical (lollipop), or inverted-T (anchor) patterns. She’ll explain which approach best serves your unique needs during your personalized consultation.
Experience the difference that surgical expertise and genuine compassion create together. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Collins at our Guilford or Mystic, CT locations and discover your path to renewed confidence.
