Breast Lift with Implant
In Atlanta, GA Dr. Alexandra Hart
The desire for a more youthful breast contour is deeply personal, often rooted in changes brought by pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight fluctuations, or simply the passage of time.
When sagging breasts occur alongside a noticeable loss of breast volume, a single solution is needed to address both concerns.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alexandra Hart in Atlanta, GA, specializes in the combined augmentation mastopexy procedure, also known as a breast lift with implants, to deliver a beautifully balanced and tailored result.
By incorporating advanced techniques like the internal mesh bra (TIGR Mesh or GalaFLEX) and SAFE lipoframing (where she liposuctions the lateral chest and axilla to create a sense of “chest breast harmony”), Dr. Hart provides sophisticated, natural-looking results tailored to help you achieve your desired breast appearance and goals. We invite you to explore the possibilities by scheduling a private consultation with Dr. Hart today.
What It Is: A surgical procedure that combines a breast lift (mastopexy) to reshape and elevate the breasts with the use of implants to restore and enhance breast size.
Benefits: Enhances volume, refines contours, and lifts sagging breasts for a fully rejuvenated breast profile.
Our Difference: Personalized treatment plans utilizing advanced techniques like the Internal Mesh Bra (TIGR Mesh/GalaFLEX) for long-term structural support, as well as SAFE lipoframing — targeted liposuction of the lateral chest and axilla to create chest/breast harmony.
Procedure: The surgical procedure is typically performed in 3–4 hours under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Downtime: Most patients require 7–10 days off from work, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities for 4–6 weeks.
A breast lift with implants (or augmentation mastopexy) is a surgical procedure designed for women whose breasts have lost both firmness and fullness over time.
Factors such as gravity and diminishing breast skin elasticity can stretch the breast skin and cause the nipple and areola to descend below the breast crease, creating the appearance of sagging breasts.
This sophisticated procedure addresses two issues simultaneously. The lift component involves removing excess skin, reshaping the existing breast tissue, and repositioning the nipple/areola to a higher, more youthful shape.
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Simultaneously, breast implants are placed to provide added volume, which can be lost after pregnancy or weight fluctuations. Dr. Hart will carefully guide you through your options, including implant types, size, and ideal implant positioning as part of your custom surgical plan.
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel both inside and out, closely resembling the look and feel of natural breast tissue and being less likely to show rippling. Saline implants contain sterile saltwater, tend to be less expensive, and any deflation is immediately noticeable due to a visible change in size.
Implants are available in a range of sizes, base widths, and projections to suit your body and goals.
Placement of breast implants can be subglandular/subfascial (above the muscle), submuscular (under the pectoralis major muscle), or dual plane (partially under the muscle and partially under the breast tissue), depending on your anatomy and desired outcome.
When a breast lift with implants is performed, the internal breast tissue may be weak or thin due to years of stretching. Without adequate support, gravity can eventually pull the implants down, compromising your results.
Dr. Hart specializes in sophisticated breast surgery techniques, such as the placement of an internal mesh bra to support long-lasting results. Dr. Hart will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals, natural proportions, and the condition of your breast tissue and skin. After a thorough examination and detailed consultation, she may recommend incorporating an internal mesh support — such as GalaFLEX or TIGR Matrix — to provide additional lift and long-term structural support during your procedure.
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Depending on your anatomy and goals, she may recommend a GalaFLEX or TIGR internal mesh bra to enhance structural stability and provide long-term lift. The internal mesh bra serves as a bioabsorbable scaffold strategically placed beneath the breast mound.
It provides immediate support, but its true benefit comes as your body naturally replaces the dissolving mesh with strong, new, organized collagen. This process creates a robust, internal hammock that reinforces the lower pole of the breasts and provides long-term, lasting support for your implants, helping to preserve your breasts’ beautiful new shape.
Dr. Hart’s approach is centered on listening, understanding, and guiding you through each step of your journey, from selecting the right implant size, style, and shape to determining the best surgical techniques for your individual procedure. Her goal is to create a surgical plan that not only reflects your aesthetic vision but also aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Augmentation mastopexy is typically performed under general anesthesia at a fully accredited facility. Dr. Hart begins by creating incisions that may be placed around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and/or along the inframammary fold in an anchor-shaped incision. She then removes excess skin, reshapes and tightens the internal breast tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola to a more youthful, balanced height. Breast implants are then placed to restore or enhance volume.
Also can add the use of Brijjit scar therapy and Sylke for improved surgical scars etc which is a huge concern for breast lift people
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Dr. Hart often incorporates the Internal Mesh Bra technique using TIGR Mesh or GalaFLEX to provide added support and help maintain your results over time. Once the procedure is complete, the incisions are closed with great care, often using hidden sutures to support smooth, refined healing. Dr. Hart also performs SAFE liposuction at this time to ensure harmonious results, as well as Brijjit scar therapy and Sylke to improve surgical scars. A supportive surgical bra is placed immediately after surgery to protect your results and aid in your recovery.
Surgical Facilities & Anesthesia
Augmentation mastopexy is typically performed under general anesthesia at a fully accredited facility, such as the AAAA-certified Chastain Surgery Center, Northside Outpatient Center, and Emory. Performing your procedure in an accredited surgical setting supports the highest standards of safety and comfort throughout your breast lift with implants.
A breast lift with implants offers a comprehensive solution for women who experience both breast descent and a noticeable volume loss in the upper portion of the breasts. Breast ptosis, the medical term for sagging breasts, is caused by weakened skin and ligaments that can no longer support the weight of the breast mound, often due to factors like weight fluctuations, aging, genetics, or the pregnancy and nursing process.
The lift component of the procedure addresses the descent and the excess skin, while breast implants restore volume and projection. The result is a natural, cohesive, and youthful breast contour.
This combination breast surgery offers both physical and emotional benefits. Patients appreciate the ability to adjust breast position while simultaneously enhancing volume and projection.
This dual approach ensures your newly lifted shape is also attractively full, avoiding the flattened appearance that can sometimes occur with a lift alone when a woman’s breast volume has significantly changed.
You will notice a dramatic improvement in how clothing fits, from swimsuits to professional wear, giving you a renewed sense of poise and self-confidence. For patients concerned about long-term stability, Dr. Hart’s use of an internal mesh bra like GalaFLEX or TIGR Mesh offers a significant advantage. This internal support system reinforces the delicate breast tissue and pocket, providing an extra layer of structural integrity that helps maintain your beautiful, lifted breast contour over time.
Women who are bothered by the appearance of sagging tissues and a lack of fullness in their breasts are excellent candidates for a breast lift with implants. (If you do not wish to have implants, Dr. Hart also offers breast lift with autoaugmentation techniques, including tissue rearrangement, alloClae, and fat grafting.) Patients who seek this procedure should be generally healthy, non-smokers, and have finished with pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is important that you have realistic expectations; the goal is a significantly improved, natural, and harmonious result, not “perfection” or breasts that look artificial.
Women who are currently pregnant or nursing, those with certain medical conditions that could interfere with safe surgery and proper healing, or those who have had recent, significant changes in their weight, may not be candidates for cosmetic surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Hart will take the time to treat you as the whole person you are, ensuring that the augmentation mastopexy is truly the right choice that fits your life and long-term health.
The first few days of your recovery process are when you will need the most support and rest.
Most patients experience some tightness and discomfort in the breasts and chest wall. It is easily managed with prescribed medication. To ensure proper healing, you will be asked to wear a specialized surgical bra or compression garment 24/7 for several weeks. This helps to minimize swelling and support your new breast shape.
For the first week after surgery, focus on rest and avoid reaching, bending, and heavy lifting. Many patients find it most comfortable to sleep propped up on extra pillows, which helps reduce swelling. While you can typically return to light daily activities after 7–10 days, you must avoid strenuous activities and exercise for 4–6 weeks to ensure optimal results. Dr. Hart will provide detailed aftercare instructions and ongoing monitoring and support to minimize discomfort and downtime.
The results of a breast lift with implants are noticeable immediately, though your final, refined shape will continue to develop over the following weeks as swelling gradually resolves.
You can expect a significant improvement in breast shape, with a more lifted contour, enhanced fullness, and improved projection. The overall outcome is a rejuvenated, balanced silhouette that complements your natural figure.
The lifting component of the procedure offers long-lasting results. To further support these outcomes, Dr. Hart often uses Internal Mesh Bra techniques to provide structural reinforcement, helping to maintain your lifted shape over time. While breast implants are durable and designed to last for many years, they are not considered lifetime devices. During your consultation, Dr. Hart will review the expected lifespan of your selected implants and outline a personalized follow-up care plan to support your long-term results.
The decision to undergo augmentation mastopexy is personal, and choosing your surgeon is the most critical step.
Dr. Alexandra Hart, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon whose approach is rooted in meticulous detail and a dedication to the individual patient. Her combination of extensive education, advanced experience, and published research means she brings both proven clinical authority and cutting-edge techniques to your care. At Dr. Alexandra Hart Plastic Surgery, we believe in an individualized plan tailored to your unique anatomy and goals.
By incorporating advanced, evidence-based techniques such as the Internal Mesh Bra (TIGR Mesh or GalaFLEX), Brijjit Scar Care, and Sylke for skin closure, Dr. Hart's techniques are built around minimizing visible scars and maximizing gorgeous results that last. From your first consultation to your final recovery visit, you can expect a supportive and highly personalized experience.
A breast lift (mastopexy) is primarily performed to address sagging breasts and reposition the nipple and areola by removing excess skin and tightening the internal breast tissue. Breast augmentation is performed only to increase breast size using implants. When a patient has both significant ptosis (sagging) and lost volume, Dr. Hart often recommends a breast lift with implant (augmentation mastopexy) to provide a complete solution.
TIGR Mesh and GalaFLEX are surgical meshes that Dr. Hart uses to create an internal, absorbable “hammock” that supports the breast implants. This reinforcement of the lower breast mound helps to prevent the implants from dropping over time due to gravity, a complication called “bottoming out,” which helps preserve the beautiful, lifted breast contour and contributes to long-term optimal results.
The total cost of the augmentation mastopexy procedure is highly variable and depends on many factors, including the type of implants chosen, the complexity of the surgical procedure, facility fees, and anesthesia fees. Because Dr. Hart creates an individualized plan for every patient, we can only provide an accurate quote following a personal consultation. Our practice offers financing options to make the procedure accessible to many patients.
In a breast lift with implants (augmentation mastopexy), Dr. Hart utilizes the same incisions for both lifting the tissue and inserting the implants, ensuring no additional scarring is required for the augmentation portion of your surgery. The specific incision pattern chosen depends on your unique anatomy and the degree of sagging breasts. Depending on your personalized surgical plan, Dr. Hart may employ one of the following patterns:
No, the implants are placed inside the breast crease or pocket, and the incisions for the lift are placed on the surface of the breasts to remove excess skin and reshape the tissue. The type of incision will leave scars, but Dr. Hart is meticulous in closing incisions to minimize their appearance, and these lines typically fade significantly over the healing process. Dr. Hart creates a custom plan for each patient to minimize the visible appearance of scars, as well as Brijjit and Sylke for improved wound closure and scar healing.
Dr. Hart recommends that patients wear the prescribed surgical bra or a comfortable, supportive, wire-free bra for at least 4–6 weeks post-procedure to promote proper healing and support the new contour. Introducing underwires too early can irritate the incisions and potentially affect the final implant positioning. Dr. Hart will clear you to transition back to your preferred bra style when she sees that your healing process is well underway.
Dr. Hart offers a selection of both saline and silicone implants, including advanced options like Motiva implants, to ensure the best fit for your desired outcome and body type. The choice between implants is a significant part of your customized surgical plan and will be discussed in detail during your initial consultation.
