Breast Lift With Implants (Mastopexy Augmentation) | Dr Deon Weyers
A breast lift with implants raises the breast and restores fullness at the same time. Dr Deon Weyers plans each case individually at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg.
A breast lift with implants, also called a mastopexy augmentation, removes excess skin, reshapes the breast tissue, moves the nipple and areola higher and places an implant for added fullness. It is designed for breasts that have both dropped and lost volume.
The practice sees patients from across South Africa at its single location in Fourways, Johannesburg. Dr Deon Weyers carries out the consultation, the surgery and the follow-up himself.
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Breast Lift With Implants in South Africa
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, ageing and genetics can leave the breasts lower and emptier than before. When both problems are present, a lift alone or an implant alone often cannot correct them on its own.
A breast lift tightens and raises the breast but does not add volume. A breast augmentation adds volume but does not lift a breast that has dropped. Combining the two addresses position and fullness together.
- Mastopexy augmentation
- Nipple repositioning
- Silicone implants
- General anaesthesia
- Single surgeon
The surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia and takes approximately two to four hours, depending on how much lifting and reshaping is needed.
Results are long-lasting, but the breasts continue to age naturally. Keeping a stable weight helps the result hold for many years. Individual results vary; see the breast lift with implants gallery.
Who Needs Both a Lift and an Implant
The combined operation is usually suggested when the nipple sits at or below the breast crease and the upper part of the breast looks empty. An implant alone in this situation can sit behind a low breast rather than lifting it.
Asymmetry is also common. One breast may need more lifting or a different implant volume from the other, so the plan is tailored to each side. After pregnancy, the procedure is sometimes part of a mommy makeover.
The lift sets the position and shape of the breast; the implant restores the fullness. Getting the balance between the two right is the core of the planning.
One Operation or Two Stages
One-Stage Mastopexy Augmentation
The lift and the implant are done in a single operation, with one anaesthetic and one recovery period.
Often suitable when the amount of lifting needed is moderate and the tissue is strong enough to hold the implant well.
Staged Surgery
The lift and the implant are done in two separate operations, usually a few months apart, once the first has healed.
Sometimes advised for marked sagging, very thin tissue or large differences between the breasts, where precision matters more than speed.
| Aspect | One Stage | Two Stages |
|---|---|---|
| Number of operations | One | Two, months apart |
| Anaesthetics and recovery periods | One of each | Two of each |
| Typical situation | Moderate sagging with good tissue | Severe sagging, thin tissue or marked asymmetry |
| Control over the final shape | Good in suitable cases | Allows adjustment between stages |
| Time to the final result | Shorter | Longer overall |
How a Breast Lift With Implants Is Performed
Dr Deon Weyers performs each step himself. The operation combines two procedures in a specific order.
Consultation and planning
Your health history, breast anatomy and goals are assessed, and the incision pattern, implant and nipple position are planned.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is given in hospital at Life Fourways, with an anaesthetist present throughout.
Lifting and reshaping
Excess skin is removed, the breast tissue is reshaped and the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position.
Placing the implant
A pocket is created above or below the chest muscle, depending on your anatomy, and the implant is positioned.
Closing and support
Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape, dressed, and supported with a post-operative bra.
Is a Breast Lift With Implants Right for You
The combined procedure is most often considered for women bothered by the following.
- Sagging breasts – After pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or ageing
- Lost volume – An empty upper breast or deflated shape
- Asymmetry – One breast lower or larger than the other
- Stretched areolas – Areolas that have widened along with the skin
- Stable health and weight – Non-smokers, or willing to stop, at a stable weight
Suitability, and whether one or two stages is safer, is decided in person.
Scars, Implants and Planning Ahead
A combined operation involves more decisions than either procedure alone, and many patients ask how painful the recovery is. These points are worth discussing at consultation.
- Expect lift scars.They usually run around the areola and often down towards the crease, depending on how much lifting is needed.
- Discuss implant size carefully.A large implant adds weight that the lifted skin must support, so moderate sizes often hold the lift better.
- Plan any future pregnancies.Further pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the result, so timing matters.
- Allow for longer recovery.Physical activity, including lifting, is limited for about six weeks.
- Keep follow-up appointments.Reviews monitor both the healing of the lift and the position of the implant.
What a Breast Lift With Implants Costs in South Africa
The practice publishes a typical range of R90,000 to R100,000 for a breast lift with implants. See breast lift with implants prices for details. A written quote follows the consultation.
The quote generally includes the surgeon, hospital and anaesthetist fees. A staged approach involves two operations and is quoted accordingly.
Cosmetic breast surgery is usually not covered by medical aid in South Africa. Reconstructive cases may be considered by the scheme on motivation.
Misconceptions About Mastopexy Augmentation
The combined procedure is often misunderstood, which can lead to unrealistic expectations.
Risks and Possible Complications
Recognised Risks of a Breast Lift With Implants
General risks: bleeding, haematoma, infection and delayed healing, particularly where incisions meet under the breast.
Implant-related risks: capsular contracture, implant rupture or the need for replacement, and rarely BIA-ALCL, a lymphoma linked mainly to textured implants.
Lift-related risks: changes in nipple sensation, scarring, recurrent sagging over time and small differences between the two sides.
Combined-procedure risks: the implant can shift position as the lifted tissue settles, and some patients need a revision to refine the shape.
Breastfeeding: the ability to breastfeed may be affected in some cases.
Anaesthesia: the anaesthetist reviews your health and anaesthetic risk before surgery.
Supporting a Good Recovery
- Stop nicotine – well before and after surgery to protect healing.
- Take prescribed pain relief – as directed in the first days.
- Limit lifting – for about six weeks.
- Attend every review – so healing and implant position are checked.
Contact the practice urgently if pain or swelling increases sharply on one side, if redness spreads, if you develop a fever, or if a wound opens or leaks fluid.
Medical disclaimer. This page is general information and does not replace a face-to-face consultation. Surgical decisions require an in-person assessment, a full consent discussion and the individual medical advice of your surgeon and anaesthetist.
Breast Lift With Implants: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mastopexy augmentation?
It is the medical name for a breast lift with implants: the breast is lifted and reshaped, the nipple is moved higher and an implant restores volume.
Will I need one operation or two?
Many patients have both in one operation. Where sagging is severe or tissue is thin, two stages a few months apart may be safer.
How long does the surgery take?
Approximately two to four hours under general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure.
How long does a breast lift with implants last?
The result is long-lasting, but breasts continue to age, and implants may need replacing in future.
Is the recovery painful?
Discomfort is expected in the first days and is managed with prescribed medication. Activity, including lifting, is limited for about six weeks.
What does it cost?
The practice publishes a typical range of R90,000 to R100,000. A written quote follows consultation.
Speak to Dr Deon Weyers About a Breast Lift With Implants
Dr Deon Weyers is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and a member of APRASSA. He sees patients from across South Africa at the practice at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg.
Call 011 875 1694
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