Breast Augmentation with Lift
Houston, TX
We live in a world where you can’t scroll through social media without seeing non-stop perfect bodies. But after you’ve looked at dozens of before-and-after photos, it gets hard to tell what’s actually doable for your own body. Most women who come into my office are already fairly well-informed on breast augmentation. They want to know how to realistically fill the gap between where they are now and how they want to look in a swimsuit.
Volume and position are two different things. If you’ve had kids or lost weight, your breasts might feel empty, but they might also be sitting lower than they used to. An implant doesn’t fix saggy skin, and a lift on its own won't give you that full look at the top. As an experienced provider here in Houston, Dr. Fortes uses a breast augmentation with lift to fix both problems at once.
Breast augmentation with lift, also known as an augmentation-mastopexy, is a combined surgical procedure that simultaneously increases breast volume and repositions sagging tissue.
By using implants or fat transfer alongside a surgical lift, it corrects deflation and nipple descent to create a firmer, more elevated, and proportionate breast contour.
Varies by implant types and lift complexity
1–2 weeks for initial recovery
Moderate; managed with Exparel and long-acting numbing
Final results are long-lasting with stable weight
This combined surgical procedure works so well because it fixes the actual structure of the breasts. When patients achieve a look that is both lifted and full, it just looks right on their frame.
We get asked all the time: "Can’t I just get a bigger implant to pull the skin tight?" The short answer is no. If your nipple is already pointing down or sitting below the breast crease, a heavy implant will just make the sagging worse over time. You’ll end up with the Snoopy look, where the implant stays up high and your natural skin slides right off the front.
We check your level of sagging (called ptosis). If it’s just a little, we might do a small lift. If it’s more, we’ll need a different surgical technique to tighten the skin properly. Sometimes, breasts look saggy just because they’re empty. In those cases, we might be able to just use a fat transfer or an implant to re-inflate the area without breast lift surgery.
Every surgical procedure we do is tailored to you. We look at what will work with your skin and current tissue.
Many women ask which is better. Silicone implants are the most popular because they have a more natural feel. The gel inside feels a lot like real breast tissue. Saline implants are filled with salt water and can sometimes be put in through smaller incisions.
For the most natural-looking results, we can do a hybrid move. We take fat from somewhere else on your body, like your stomach, and inject it around the breast implants. This helps hide the edges of the implant and gives you a soft, natural look.
"We want you to look like you," says Dr. Fortes. "By matching the lift with the right amount of volume, we avoid that fake look and give you a natural, fit shape."
We also pick the best lift for your shape. Depending on your body, we might do a donut lift (around the nipple), a lollipop lift (vertical), or an anchor lift. I focus on minimal scarring by hiding the marks in the natural folds of your breasts.
I want aesthetic plastic surgery to be as easy on you as possible. Since we're doing two things at once, the recovery time is a little longer than a regular breast augmentation, but it’s still very doable. In the end, it’s better to have one recovery period rather than go through two separate procedures.
We use long-acting numbing during surgery in Houston so you stay comfortable. This helps because you won't need as much heavy pain medication later. Most patients receive the okay to go back to normal activities within a week. You’ll wear a special bra to help the healing process and make sure the final results look great.
We’ll see you for follow-up appointments to check your progress. Just remember to skip strenuous activities like heavy lifting or running for about six weeks so your chest muscle can heal properly.
Choosing a surgeon for a combined lift and augmentation requires finding someone who understands both aesthetics and breast anatomy. Dr. Fortes is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. With over eight years of rigorous surgical residency, including specialized training at Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago, he has spent decades refining the technical precision required for complex breast surgery.
“Plastic surgery is as much an art as it is a science," Dr. Fortes explains. "A plastic surgeon must have an artist’s sensibility as well as a scientist’s rigor. I know that the best results are always customized and individually crafted. Generic, one-size-fits-all approaches never achieve superior results, much like painting by number never results in a masterpiece."
The cost includes the surgeon's fee, the hospital, and anesthesia.
Estimated Starting Costs:
To help patients achieve their goals, we have financing options and financing plans through PatientFi. You can even set up fixed monthly payments so the price is easier to handle.
Every woman is different. Your skin, your family history, and what you want to see in the mirror are what we use to build your treatment plan. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to plastic surgery.
Whether you want a big change or just want to fix large breasts that have started to sag, my goal is to help you feel like yourself again. From breast augmentation surgery to facial rejuvenation, my team is here to help you every step of the way.
Schedule your consultation today to find out what’s possible. Call us at (713) 489-7996 or schedule online.
Yes, gaining or losing a lot of weight can stretch your skin again. It’s best to be at a stable weight before your surgical procedure.
Usually, yes. But keep in mind that pregnancy after a lift can stretch the skin out again, which might change your final results.
Yes. For your safety, we use general anesthesia in a professional surgical suite.
At your initial consultation, we’ll talk about whether you want a natural appearance or more oomph. We look at your chest muscle and breast tissue to find the right fit.
Like any surgery, there’s always a chance of infection or feeling changes. But by following your treatment plan and coming to your follow-up appointments, most women have a great experience.
