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Breast Surgery
A breast lift with implants, also called augmentation-mastopexy, lifts sagging breasts and adds volume with an implant in a single operation. Tim Sayed MD, a double board-certified plastic surgeon serving Southern California, combines the two procedures for women who want a higher, firmer shape and more fullness, often after pregnancy, weight change, or implant exchange.
20+
Years in practice
Double
Board-certified
1:1
Surgeon-led care
At a glance
What it is
One operation that raises and reshapes sagging breasts and adds an implant for size and upper-pole fullness, repositioning the nipple higher at the same time.
Who it suits
Women whose breasts sag and have also lost volume, who want both a lifted shape and more fullness in one surgery, and who are at a stable weight and in good health.
Southern California cost
Typically about $12,000 to $18,000 in total across Southern California, covering the surgeon's fee, implants, anesthesia, and accredited facility fees. Financing is available, and your exact price comes from a written quote.
Procedure time
About 2 to 3 hours as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, so you recover at home the same day. Complex revision cases are sometimes staged.
Recovery
Desk work in about 1 to 2 weeks and full exercise around 4 to 6 weeks, with the final shape settling as the implants drop and soften over 3 to 6 months.
Provider
Tim Sayed MD, MBA, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years in practice.
A lift alone raises your own tissue without adding size; implants alone add volume but can worsen droop. If you have both sagging and lost fullness, combining a lift with an implant addresses both in one operation.
The procedure
A breast lift with implants, medically called augmentation-mastopexy, is a single operation that combines two procedures: a lift that removes stretched skin and raises the breast, and an implant that restores size and upper-pole fullness. Dr. Sayed tightens and reshapes your own tissue, repositions the nipple and areola to a natural, forward-facing height, and places an implant to add the volume a lift alone cannot. It is performed under general anesthesia as a same-day outpatient procedure and usually takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Most patients choose the combined procedure because they have both concerns at once. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, significant weight loss, or years of aging can leave breasts that both sag and feel deflated. The lift corrects the position and shape, and the implant restores the fullness, especially in the upper breast, so the result looks proportional rather than simply lifted.
If your breasts sag but you are happy with your size, a breast lift without implants may be all you need. If your breasts have good position but lack volume, a breast augmentation alone may be the better fit. The combined procedure is for women who need both at once.
Candidacy
You are likely a good candidate for a breast lift with implants if your breasts sag and have lost fullness, and you want both a lifted shape and more size in one surgery. The combined procedure suits women after pregnancy, weight loss, or implant removal and exchange who are at a stable weight and in good general health. At your consultation, Dr. Sayed examines your skin quality, nipple position, and breast tissue to confirm whether a lift with implants, a lift alone, or augmentation alone best meets your goals.
have breasts that sag and have also lost volume or upper-pole fullness
have nipples or areolae that point downward or sit at or below the breast crease
are at a stable weight and in good general health
are a nonsmoker or are willing to stop all nicotine for several weeks before and after surgery
are at least 18 for saline implants or 22 for silicone, have realistic goals, and can set aside time for recovery
are planning a future pregnancy, which can stretch the breasts and change both the lift and the implant result
are still breastfeeding or stopped less than 6 months ago
are actively losing a large amount of weight, in which case it is better to reach a stable weight first
mainly want a lifted shape at your current size, which points to a breast lift without implants instead
mainly want more size with little sagging, which points to breast augmentation alone
The combined procedure asks the breast to do two things at once: hold a lift and carry an implant. Dr. Sayed is candid at your consultation about whether a single operation or a staged plan is the safer choice for you.
Your options
The implant you choose shapes the final result as much as the lift does. Dr. Sayed sizes and selects the implant to your frame and your goals, aiming for fullness that looks natural on your body rather than the largest implant that will fit.
Silicone gel implants feel closer to natural breast tissue and are the most common choice in a lift with implants. Saline implants are an option, filled after placement through a smaller incision. Dr. Sayed reviews the trade-offs of each with you at your consultation.
Profile describes how far an implant projects for a given width. A moderate to high profile is common with a lift, adding upper-pole fullness without overwhelming the lifted tissue. Sizing is matched to your chest measurements, not a cup-size promise.
Many patients who have a lift with implants do well with dual-plane placement, where the upper part of the implant sits under the chest muscle and the lower part under the gland. This supports the implant, gives a smooth upper slope, and is associated with a lower risk of capsular contracture.
Beyond the implant, Dr. Sayed also chooses the lift incision pattern based on how much your breasts sag, decides whether to reduce an enlarged areola, and recommends whether the lift and implant are best done in one stage or two. He reviews these choices with you using your own measurements at the consultation.
A lift with implants is a balancing act: the implant adds volume while the lift removes skin and tightens the breast around it. Choosing the implant and the incision together, to suit your anatomy, helps the result look natural and last.
How it works
A breast lift with implants is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgery center and usually takes about 2 to 3 hours. After marking the skin while you are upright, Dr. Sayed removes the stretched excess skin, places the implant in the chosen pocket, reshapes the breast tissue over it, repositions the nipple and areola, and closes in layers so the deeper tissue carries the tension. Three decisions shape your result: the lift incision pattern, how the implant is placed and sized, and whether the operation is done in one stage or two.
Donut. The smallest scar, for mild sagging with a smaller implant.
Lollipop. A vertical scar for moderate sagging, a common pattern with implants.
Anchor. The most reshaping, for significant droop or loose skin after weight loss or implant removal.
Pedicle. The nipple stays attached to its own blood supply and nerves as it is lifted, which helps preserve sensation and, in most cases, the ability to breastfeed.
Areola size. A stretched areola can be reduced to match the new, higher, fuller breast shape.
Symmetry. Each side is planned to its own measurements, since few breasts start out matched.
Dual-plane pocket. The implant sits partly under the chest muscle for support and a smooth upper slope, with a lower risk of capsular contracture.
Implant choice. Material, profile, and size are selected to your frame, usually silicone gel at a moderate to high profile.
One stage or two. Most patients have the lift and implant in one operation; a staged plan is sometimes safer when the lift is extensive, to protect the blood supply to the nipple.
If you are removing or exchanging implants first, Dr. Sayed often performs the lift and the new implant during breast implant surgery. For a lift without added volume, see breast lift, and explore the full range of breast surgery at Tim Sayed MD.
Cost
A breast lift with implants in Southern California typically costs about $12,000 to $18,000 in total, covering the surgeon's fee, the implants, general anesthesia, and accredited facility fees. It costs more than a lift or an augmentation alone because it combines both procedures, though doing them together usually costs less than two separate surgeries. The exact figure depends on the implant you choose and the complexity of your lift, so your written quote after the consultation is the only exact figure.
Expect roughly $12,000 to $18,000 for a breast lift with implants across Southern California. Combining the lift and the implant in one operation usually costs less than having each done separately, and the written quote from your consultation is the only exact figure.
Implant choice. Silicone gel implants cost more than saline, and the specific implant you select affects the total.
Lift complexity. A full anchor lift involves more surgery and operating time than a modest lollipop lift, which affects the fee.
Anesthesia and facility. Surgery is performed with board-certified anesthesia care at an accredited surgical facility, and both are included in your quoted price.
Surgeon experience. The fee reflects the experience of a double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years in practice, and experience can help make results more predictable.
A breast lift with implants is an elective cosmetic procedure, so it is not usually covered by insurance. Financing options let you spread the cost over monthly payments, and you can review typical plastic surgery pricing before your visit.
Recovery
Most patients return to desk work in about 1 to 2 weeks, resume light activity soon after, and are cleared for full exercise around 4 to 6 weeks. The implants often sit high and firm at first, then drop and soften into a natural position over the following weeks, and the final shape appears over about 3 to 6 months. Dr. Sayed sends you home with a written recovery plan and sees you through each stage of healing.
Day of surgery
You go home the same day in a supportive surgical bra, with mild to moderate soreness and tightness managed by medication.
First week
Rest with limited arm motion; soreness, swelling, and bruising peak and then begin to ease.
Weeks 2 to 4
Return to desk work and light daily activity, and wear the surgical bra Dr. Sayed recommends, with no underwire.
Weeks 4 to 6
Gradually resume full exercise and heavier lifting as cleared at your follow-up.
3 to 6 months
Swelling largely resolves, the implants settle, scars begin to fade, and your final lifted, fuller shape appears.
Sleeping. Sleep on your back, slightly elevated, for the first few weeks to protect the healing breasts and settling implants.
Driving. Resume driving once you are off prescription pain medication and can move comfortably, usually after about 10 days.
Exercise. Walking is encouraged early; chest and upper-body workouts wait until you are cleared around 4 to 6 weeks, to protect the implant pocket.
Scars. Incision lines look pink and firm at first, then soften and fade over 6 months to 2 years; Dr. Sayed guides scar care throughout.
Breastfeeding. Because the nipple stays attached to its tissue, many patients can still breastfeed, though it cannot be guaranteed for anyone.
The surgeon
A breast lift with implants rewards judgment as much as technique, balancing the volume of the implant against the skin removed by the lift, and Tim Sayed MD brings both. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, trained at UCSF, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital, and has practiced for more than 20 years. The same surgeon who plans your procedure performs it and follows you through recovery.
Dr. Sayed is known nationally for breast implant removal and breast implant illness care, so he regularly reshapes and re-implants breasts that have been stretched by previous implants. That experience informs how he handles tissue, places the pocket, and sets incisions on every lift with implants. We invite you to review his credentials and results before you decide.
American Board of Plastic Surgery
American Board of Surgery
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
20+ years in practice
The area
Tim Sayed MD has offices in La Jolla, near Westfield UTC and the University City line, and in Newport Beach, and patients travel from across San Diego County and Orange County, including Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. For local detail, see breast lift with implants in La Jolla and breast lift with implants in Newport Beach, or our full range of breast surgery.
Southern California living puts your results on display, from La Jolla Cove and the Orange County beaches to year-round yoga, Pilates, and gym routines, and a breast lift with implants is planned for fullness that looks natural under swimwear and athletic wear once you heal. Because the coastal sun can darken fresh scars, Dr. Sayed has every patient keep incisions protected and out of direct UV for the first several months, which is simple to do here with good sunscreen and coverage.
4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92121
Get directions to the La Jolla office on Google Maps
3991 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 320
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Meet one-on-one with Tim Sayed MD to review your options in person. You will leave the consultation with a clear recommendation, a direct answer on whether a lift, implants, or both fit your goals, and a written quote for your breast lift with implants.
Questions
A breast lift with implants in Southern California typically costs about $12,000 to $18,000 in total, covering the surgeon's fee, the implants, general anesthesia, and accredited facility fees. It costs more than a lift or an augmentation alone, though combining them usually costs less than two separate surgeries. It is elective and not usually covered by insurance; financing is available, and your exact price comes from a written quote after your consultation.
It depends on what bothers you. If your breasts sag but you are happy with your size, a lift alone is usually enough. If they have good position but lack fullness, an augmentation alone may fit. If you have both sagging and lost volume, a breast lift with implants addresses both in one operation. Dr. Sayed gives you a clear recommendation at your consultation after examining your skin, nipple position, and tissue.
Scars sit around the areola and, depending on the lift pattern, run vertically to the breast crease and sometimes along the crease. They look pink and raised at first, then typically soften and fade over 6 months to 2 years. Dr. Sayed places incisions where bras and swimwear are more likely to conceal them and guides scar care throughout healing, though scars never disappear completely.
Most patients return to desk work in about 1 to 2 weeks and are cleared for full exercise around 4 to 6 weeks. The implants sit high at first and settle over the following weeks, and the final shape appears over 3 to 6 months. You go home the same day, avoid driving for about 10 days, and receive a written recovery plan.
Many patients can still breastfeed because the nipple is kept attached to its underlying tissue, ducts, and blood supply, and the implant is placed without detaching the nipple. That said, no breast surgery can guarantee breastfeeding, and sensation or milk supply can change. If future breastfeeding matters to you, tell Dr. Sayed so he can plan accordingly.
The lifted, fuller shape is long-lasting but not permanent, and many patients enjoy it for years with a stable weight and good support. Modern implants are designed to be durable and carry manufacturer warranties, though they are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and may eventually need exchange. Aging, gravity, pregnancy, and weight change continue to affect the breasts over time, so some settling is normal.
Most patients have the lift and the implant in a single operation, which is more convenient and usually costs less. In some cases, when the lift is extensive, staging the two steps a few months apart can be safer because it helps protect the blood supply to the nipple and lets the surgeon fine-tune the result. Dr. Sayed recommends the approach that is safest for your anatomy.
Yes. Combining a lift with a new implant is common when exchanging old implants or after removing them, and Dr. Sayed often performs it in one operation. Once the old implants are out, the tissue is reshaped and lifted and a new implant is placed to restore a natural, proportional shape. Dr. Sayed is known nationally for breast implant removal and BII care.
Most patients keep normal nipple sensation because the nipple is moved while still attached to its nerves and blood supply. A temporary change in sensation during healing is common, and a small, lasting change is possible, as with any breast surgery. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon may lower that risk.
Recovery is broadly similar, with tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain in the first several days, usually managed with the medication Dr. Sayed prescribes. Because the implant is placed partly under the muscle, some patients notice a little more tightness than a lift alone, which eases over the first week. Most patients are off prescription pain medicine within a few days and go home the same day in a supportive surgical bra.
Choose a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, performs lifts with implants regularly, and can show you before and after photos of their own patients. Ask who performs the surgery and who follows your recovery. Tim Sayed MD is double board-certified, has practiced for more than 20 years, and personally sees each patient from consultation through healing.
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