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"Many women come to my office asking if they can simply use a larger implant to 'fill out' sagging skin. I often have to explain that volume cannot fix gravity. If we rely solely on an implant to lift a breast that has lost its elasticity, we risk a 'rock in a sock' appearance. To truly restore a youthful shape, we must often tighten the skin envelope while simultaneously restoring volume. It is a complex architectural change, but when performed with precision, it yields the most natural-looking results." —Dr. Leo Lapuerta
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"I couldn’t be happier with the results..."
"I recently had a breast augmentation performed by Dr. Leo Lapuerta and his team in July, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. From the initial consultation to post-operative care, the entire experience was professional and supportive. Dr. Lapuerta took the time to understand my goals and answered all my questions, making me feel at ease throughout the process. The results are exactly what I hoped for—natural and beautifully proportioned. I highly recommend Dr. Lapuerta and his team for anyone considering this procedure. They truly prioritize patient care and satisfaction!"
Review from A.R. | source: Google | Oct 04, 2024 Plastic Surgery Patient
For many women in Pearland and Shadow Creek Ranch, the physical changes following pregnancy or significant weight loss present a specific frustration: the breasts have not only lost volume (deflation) but also position (sagging). You may notice that while you desire the fullness you had years ago, simply adding an implant won't correct the position of the nipple or the laxity of the skin.
This creates a tension. You don't just need bigger; you need higher.
A Breast Augmentation with Lift (Augment-Mastopexy) addresses both concerns in a single surgical procedure. It is designed to tighten the skin envelope, reposition the nipple-areola complex, and insert an implant to provide upper-pole fullness. While many patients hesitate at the thought of additional incisions, this combination is often the only way to achieve a perky, supported profile rather than a heavy, low-hanging one.
A Breast Augmentation with Lift is a combined cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin to reshape and elevate the breast while simultaneously inserting a breast implant to restore lost volume and projection.
At A Glance | Procedure Details |
|---|---|
| Surgical Time | 3.5 – 4.5 Hours |
| Anesthesia | General (Provided by MD Anesthesiologist Only) |
| Downtime | 10–14 Days (Social), 6 Weeks (Gym) |
| Pain Level | Moderate (Managed with Exparel & Medication) |
| Results | Immediate improvement; final shape at 3–6 months |
Determining whether you need a lift, an implant, or both is the first step in your consultation. Dr. Lapuerta uses a straightforward anatomical assessment to guide this decision.
The Pencil Test
If your breast fold (inframammary fold) holds a pencil, and your nipple sits below this fold, a simple breast augmentation will likely be insufficient. Placing an implant behind sagging tissue can lead to the waterfall deformity, where the implant sits high on the chest while the natural breast tissue hangs off it.
One of the primary concerns for patients is scarring. Dr. Lapuerta believes in transparent discussions about incisions to ensure your expectations align with the desired outcome. The goal is always to minimize visibility while ensuring enough skin is removed to create a lasting shape.
This technique involves an incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease. It is ideal for women with moderate sagging who need their breast size and shape refined without extensive skin removal.
For patients with significant skin laxity, often after massive weight loss or multiple pregnancies, the anchor incision is necessary. It extends along the breast crease. While the scar is longer, this technique allows the surgeon the greatest control to reshape the breast mound and achieve a tight, youthful contour.
While minimizing scars is a priority, the donut lift creates a flatter, wider breast shape. Dr. Lapuerta rarely recommends this for augmentation-mastopexy patients because it opposes the goal of projection and roundness.
Choosing the right breast implants is an art that balances your anatomy with your aesthetic goals.
During your consultation, you will discuss implant profiles (Moderate, Moderate Plus, or High Profile). For lift patients, a Moderate Plus profile is often the Goldilocks choice, providing enough projection to fill the upper pole without looking artificial.
While Pearland offers convenience, complex combination surgeries require a higher standard of care than standard clinics typically provide.
At The Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas, we do not use nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Your anesthesia is administered exclusively by a board-certified Medical Doctor (MD). Dr. Lapuerta does not direct the anesthesia; he focuses entirely on the surgery. This division of labor ensures that one doctor is dedicated solely to your breathing and vital signs while the other is dedicated to the procedure's artistry.
During the operation, Dr. Lapuerta utilizes a specialized table that allows him to sit you upright while you remain asleep. This is critical for checking symmetry. Gravity affects the breast differently when standing versus lying down. By adjusting the pocket and skin tension while you are upright, he ensures the final results look natural in real-life positions, not just on the operating table.
Recovery from a combined procedure is more involved than a simple augmentation. Understanding this timeline is essential for planning your life, especially for mothers with young children.
We believe in transparency. The cost for a breast augmentation with lift at our accredited facility typically ranges from $11,000 to $17,500.
This price variance depends on:
We offer financing options through CareCredit and PatientFi to help patients achieve their beauty goals with manageable monthly payments.
Choosing the right surgeon is about more than before-and-after photos; it is about trust and access.
Dr. Lapuerta is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience serving the Southeast Texas community. He has performed thousands of breast procedures, refining his meticulous techniques to prioritize safety and longevity.
We are not a volume clinic. When you undergo surgery, you are given Dr. Lapuerta’s personal cell phone number. If you have a concern at 9:00 PM on a Saturday, you do not reach a call center; you reach your doctor. This level of personal care is rare in the current medical landscape but standard for our practice.
Dr. Lapuerta often combines breast procedures with a tummy tuck or liposuction as part of a Mommy Makeover. His ability to view the body as a whole allows for body contouring that harmonizes your new curves with your frame.
If you are ready to discover how a breast augmentation with lift can transform your silhouette, we invite you to schedule a private consultation. Whether you are coming from Pearland, Texas, or the greater Houston area, our team is ready to help you navigate this process with confidence.
Call us at 713.489.0169 or contact us online to begin.
While many women can breastfeed after surgery, the risk of reduced milk production is higher with a lift than with an augmentation alone, as some milk ducts may be disrupted during skin removal. If a future pregnancy is in your near-term plans, we generally recommend waiting to perform the lift.
Temporary changes in sensation are common due to swelling and nerve stretching. In most cases, full sensation returns within a few months. Permanent loss of sensation is a risk, but it is rare with modern techniques.
Implants are not lifetime devices, but the results of the lift are long-lasting. However, gravity and aging will continue. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing supportive bras are the best ways to extend the life of your surgery.
Dr. Lapuerta typically uses drains for the tummy tuck portion of a Mommy Makeover, but they are less common for standalone breast lifts. He will discuss your specific case during the consultation.
