Should I get a breast lift wait six months and then a breast augmentation?

I went on a consultation today and the doctor told me is best that I get a breast lift now and then wait six months to get a breast augmentation.

Answers from doctors (14)


More About Doctor Harry Glassman, M.D.

Published on Nov 30, 2018

That is a very unusual suggestion. Most often breast augmentation and breast lift (mastopexy) are done at the same time. Furthermore, the results of a mastopexy are better and more long-lasting when combined with an implant. The only reason to lift your breasts without an implant would be if your surgeon thinks he or she can achieve the desired result without an implant. If not, the implant could be placed at a second surgery.

Answered by Harry Glassman, M.D. (View Profile)

That is a very unusual suggestion. Most often breast augmentation and breast lift (mastopexy) are done at the same time. Furthermore, the results of a mastopexy are better and more long-lasting when combined with an implant. The only reason to lift your breasts without an implant would be if your surgeon thinks he or she can achieve the desired result without an implant. If not, the implant could be placed at a second surgery.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Augmentation and lift were traditionally performed as staged procedures in the past. Patients would first undergo a lift followed by an augmentation once healing was complete. This was a function of the competing nature of the procedures, with the lift tightening the breast envelope and the augmentation expanding it.

Currently, the two procedures are commonly performed together. The decision of whether to approach these simultaneously or staged is a function of your unique anatomy and your goals for the procedure. Without an exam or photos, it is impossible to offer a definitive opinion.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Augmentation and lift were traditionally performed as staged procedures in the past. Patients would first undergo a lift followed by an augmentation once healing was complete. This was a function of the competing nature of the procedures, with the lift tightening the breast envelope and the augmentation expanding it.

Currently, the two procedures are commonly performed together. The decision of whether to approach these simultaneously or staged is a function of your unique anatomy and your goals for the procedure. Without an exam or photos, it is impossible to offer a definitive opinion.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


ELLIOT B. DUBOYS, MD, FACS

Published on Jun 10, 2016

Depends upon how large you are and how large you want to go. Your doctor is not wrong in recommending a two-stage procedure. You doctor would not be wrong in recommending a one-stage procedure. This is surgeon's experience and preference. Personally, unless the woman wants to go excessively large with 400cc+ implants, I frequently do the two procedures together.

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Answered by ELLIOT B. DUBOYS, MD, FACS

Depends upon how large you are and how large you want to go. Your doctor is not wrong in recommending a two-stage procedure. You doctor would not be wrong in recommending a one-stage procedure. This is surgeon's experience and preference. Personally, unless the woman wants to go excessively large with 400cc+ implants, I frequently do the two procedures together.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Published on Jun 07, 2016

It all depends on how extensive your lift is and how big of an implant you want, as these two procedures are trying to move the breast in opposite directions. I recommend an implant fill no more than 300 cc's with the lift, so if you want to be much larger, it is better to stage the procedures.

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Answered by Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

It all depends on how extensive your lift is and how big of an implant you want, as these two procedures are trying to move the breast in opposite directions. I recommend an implant fill no more than 300 cc's with the lift, so if you want to be much larger, it is better to stage the procedures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Published on Apr 18, 2016

Dr. Kenneth Stein has been doing these procedures together for the last 25 years, and the patients experience one downtime and one surgery. They look beautiful and can be done together. I am not sure why you would need to go under general anesthesia for a second time since these can be done together. Is this a board-certified plastic surgeon? I would go for another consultation.

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Answered by Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Dr. Kenneth Stein has been doing these procedures together for the last 25 years, and the patients experience one downtime and one surgery. They look beautiful and can be done together. I am not sure why you would need to go under general anesthesia for a second time since these can be done together. Is this a board-certified plastic surgeon? I would go for another consultation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kristi Sumpter, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.

Published on Mar 22, 2016

There are some physicians who recommend having these procedures separately. I perform breast lifts with augmentation in the same surgery.

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Answered by Kristi Sumpter, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.

There are some physicians who recommend having these procedures separately. I perform breast lifts with augmentation in the same surgery.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Edward Domanskis M.D.

Published on Mar 21, 2016

It is usually not necessary to separate these two procedures, for it increases the cost for the patient. In most cases, they can be combined.

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Answered by Edward Domanskis M.D.

It is usually not necessary to separate these two procedures, for it increases the cost for the patient. In most cases, they can be combined.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

Published on Mar 21, 2016

A breast lift with augmentation is definitely possible---I perform breast lift and augmentation procedures at the same time frequently. It is usually the preference of the surgeon. I have 16 years of experience performing breast surgeries, so I am very comfortable in doing both of these procedures simultaneously. However, each patient's case is different, and there can be other factors that may affect your result. I would advise that you speak to your surgeon again and ask specifically why he or she is recommending having your procedures done separately. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

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Answered by Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

A breast lift with augmentation is definitely possible---I perform breast lift and augmentation procedures at the same time frequently. It is usually the preference of the surgeon. I have 16 years of experience performing breast surgeries, so I am very comfortable in doing both of these procedures simultaneously. However, each patient's case is different, and there can be other factors that may affect your result. I would advise that you speak to your surgeon again and ask specifically why he or she is recommending having your procedures done separately. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Steely Plastic Surgery

Published on Sep 04, 2015

Some surgeons prefer to do a lift/augmentation in two procedures- others feel comfortable doing both procedures at once. I would recommend more than one opinion to weigh your options. Be sure to see lots of before and after photos from all your consults to be sure the surgeons you are considering are well versed in this complicated procedure

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Answered by Steely Plastic Surgery

Some surgeons prefer to do a lift/augmentation in two procedures- others feel comfortable doing both procedures at once. I would recommend more than one opinion to weigh your options. Be sure to see lots of before and after photos from all your consults to be sure the surgeons you are considering are well versed in this complicated procedure

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Paul Wigoda M.D.

Published on Aug 25, 2015

It is certainly an option to do it in two surgeries and may reduce the risk of complications. With that being said, I almost always do a lift and augmentation in one surgery. Some possible reasons to do it in two would be if you are a smoker or have other medical issues that can inhibit wound healing or if you have significant sagging of your breasts like after a massive weight loss. If you have moderate sagging and are not looking to have massive implants placed, it may be reasonable to do it in one surgery. Best of luck.

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Answered by Paul Wigoda M.D.

It is certainly an option to do it in two surgeries and may reduce the risk of complications. With that being said, I almost always do a lift and augmentation in one surgery. Some possible reasons to do it in two would be if you are a smoker or have other medical issues that can inhibit wound healing or if you have significant sagging of your breasts like after a massive weight loss. If you have moderate sagging and are not looking to have massive implants placed, it may be reasonable to do it in one surgery. Best of luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Gerald Minniti, M.D., F.A.C.S

Published on Aug 24, 2015

It is common for many surgeons to perform a breast lift and augmentation in two separate stages. Performed together, it is a complex surgery that statistically has higher rates of complications. However, cosmetic breast specialists perform this surgery in one procedure routinely with low rates of complications. Be sure your doctor is certified by the ABPS and a member of the ASAPS as well.

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Answered by Gerald Minniti, M.D., F.A.C.S

It is common for many surgeons to perform a breast lift and augmentation in two separate stages. Performed together, it is a complex surgery that statistically has higher rates of complications. However, cosmetic breast specialists perform this surgery in one procedure routinely with low rates of complications. Be sure your doctor is certified by the ABPS and a member of the ASAPS as well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Your surgeon is wise. While it is possible to achieve nice results doing the operation in a single stage, it can be safer to stage it and the result can be more predictable. I stage them if the breast is very droopy, particularly if the tissue is thin. I tend to do it in a single stage in thicker breasts that are less droopy. Surgeons feel pressure to do it in one stage because patients ask for it in one stage, but that isn't a good reason. I would trust your surgeon.

Answered by Steven Teitelbaum, M.D.. F.A.C.S (View Profile)

Your surgeon is wise. While it is possible to achieve nice results doing the operation in a single stage, it can be safer to stage it and the result can be more predictable. I stage them if the breast is very droopy, particularly if the tissue is thin. I tend to do it in a single stage in thicker breasts that are less droopy. Surgeons feel pressure to do it in one stage because patients ask for it in one stage, but that isn't a good reason. I would trust your surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Christopher Pelletiere, MD

Published on Aug 24, 2015

There are some patients who can undergo a breast augmentation and lift at the same time, while others need to stage the surgery depending on different factors. If your surgeon feels that the lift first will be beneficial, then the augmentation afterwards, then that is the direction I would go. Get the breast architecture in place first, then add the volume and shape.

Answered by Christopher Pelletiere, MD (View Profile)

There are some patients who can undergo a breast augmentation and lift at the same time, while others need to stage the surgery depending on different factors. If your surgeon feels that the lift first will be beneficial, then the augmentation afterwards, then that is the direction I would go. Get the breast architecture in place first, then add the volume and shape.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Otto Placik, MD

Published on Aug 24, 2015

This is commonly recommended by many physicians because the final result of a combined procedure is more difficult to predict. This may lead to a higher rate of revision surgery. Performing these as two separate procedures allows the surgeon to focus on different field at two points in time rather than two opposing goals at the same time.

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Answered by Otto Placik, MD

This is commonly recommended by many physicians because the final result of a combined procedure is more difficult to predict. This may lead to a higher rate of revision surgery. Performing these as two separate procedures allows the surgeon to focus on different field at two points in time rather than two opposing goals at the same time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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