A breast lift (or mastopexy) is a procedure that is often done at the same time as an explant. Once the implant is removed there can be some loose skin of the breast that is no longer being filled. A breast lift accomplishes three things:

  1. It raises the nipple to a higher position on the breast
  2. It reduces the size of the areola
  3. It tightens up the skin at the lower part of the breast

An auto-augmentation breast lift utilizes the breast tissue at the bottom of the breast to try to fill and shape the lower breast. This works best for patients with a lot of natural breast tissue below the nipple level. The skin is removed on top of this breast tissue and the breast is tucked higher on the chest. This allows Dr. Rai to fill the breast more and often can add volume to try to diminish the depressions that can appear after an explant.

Dr. Rai utilizes this auto-augmentation breast lift technique for all his breast lifts. For patients with more natural tissue, it will make a greater change. But most patients will get some benefit of using their natural tissue to try to fill their breast after the explant procedure.