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Breast uplift with implants in Edinburgh

Lifts and reshapes the breast and restores lost volume, usually after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. It is one of the more demanding breast operations, and we will tell you honestly whether one stage or two suits you.

Your consultants
Two smooth round breast implants of different sizes
Anaesthetic
General
Surgery time
2-3 Hours
Hospital stay
Day surgery
Recovery
1-2 weeks off work, 6 weeks before strenuous exercise
Guide price
From £11,800

Contents

Ideal Candidates

You may be a good candidate if:

•Your breasts are lighter and have moderate sagging.

•You are in good health and have realistic expectations.

•You are close to your ideal body weight.

•You’ve completed your family or don’t plan on having children soon.

A consultation is a conversation, not a commitment to surgery. If we feel this combined procedure is not the right answer for you — for example, if your breasts are heavier than ideal for the combination, or a staged approach would serve you better — we will say so honestly.

What the procedure involves

A breast uplift with implants at Waterfront is planned around the trade-off between how much lift you need and how much added volume the breast can comfortably carry. The procedure typically involves:

  1. Consultation and planning: a detailed consultation to assess your breast anatomy, understand what you want the surgery to address, and decide whether a one-stage or two-stage approach is right for you.
  2. Incision pattern: chosen to suit the degree of sagging in your case — around the areola, lollipop-shaped, or anchor-shaped. Most cases need the anchor pattern because of the combined lift and implant placement.
  3. Lifting and reshaping: excess skin is removed, the nipple and areola are repositioned, and the underlying breast tissue is reshaped to support the implant.
  4. Implant placement: implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle, depending on your tissue cover, body type and the result you want. Your consultant will explain the trade-offs of each position in person.

Challenges of breast uplift with implants

This is a more advanced procedure, and it’s important to understand the challenges:

•Only for lighter breasts:

Women with lighter breasts and moderate sagging are the best candidates. If your breasts are too heavy or very saggy, the procedure may not give the best long-term results.

•Higher revision rates:

Because this is a complex surgery, there’s a higher chance of needing adjustments or corrections later compared to simpler procedures.

•Long-term maintenance:

Implants add weight to the breasts, which can cause sagging to return over time, especially if the skin is already weak.

One-stage vs two-stage surgery

We offer two approaches for this surgery:

One-stage surgery

Pros:

•You only need one operation and recovery period.

•You get the final results with one procedure.

Cons:

•There’s a higher risk of complications, like implant shifting or uneven results.

•It’s harder to balance lifting the breasts and adding volume at the same time.

Two-stage surgery

Pros:

•Doing the uplift first allows your breasts to settle before adding implants.

•It reduces the risk of complications and can lead to more stable results.

Cons:

•You’ll need two surgeries and recoveries.

•It takes longer to see the final results.

We’ll discuss which option is better for you during your consultation.

Breast uplift with implants animation

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What a breast uplift with implants can and can’t do

A breast uplift with implants deals with two problems in one operation: a breast that has dropped and one that has emptied. It is one of the more demanding operations in breast surgery, and we would rather you knew its limits now than found them out afterwards.

It can

  • Lift the breast and raise the nipple, and add volume, in the same operation.
  • Restore fullness in the upper part of the breast that an uplift alone cannot.
  • Reduce differences in position and size between the two sides.
  • Treat breasts left lower and emptier by pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss.

It can’t

  • Stop the breasts dropping again. The implant adds weight to the lifted tissue, and some droop returns with time, more so with larger implants.
  • Be done without scars. Most people need an anchor-shaped scar around the areola, down the breast and along the fold. The scars fade but are permanent.
  • Suit every breast. If your breasts are heavy or very low, a combined operation is less reliable, and we may suggest two stages or an uplift alone.
  • Last for ever. Implants are not lifetime devices, and many people have them replaced or removed after about 10 to 15 years.
  • Make the two sides identical. Some difference in shape, size and nipple position usually remains.

Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.

What is the cost of a breast uplift with implants?

The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery, as the operation is tailored to what your case actually needs.

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Questions before you book?

Ask anything about breast uplift with implants, its recovery, risks or cost, any time and in plain language. If you would like, our team can contact you afterwards.

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Patients often ask

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Quick answers

How much does a breast uplift with implants cost?
Guide prices are listed in the Cost section above. The full price for your individual case is confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery, as the operation is tailored to what your case actually needs.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. You can pay in full two weeks before your procedure, or spread the cost with interest-free finance through Omni Capital Retail Finance over 6 or 10 months, with a deposit of between 10% and 50%. There is no interest and no hidden fee, and most applicants get a decision straight away. We do not accept private medical insurance for cosmetic treatment.
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my breast uplift with implants?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your operation, performs it, and follows you through every post-operative review. There is no handover between assessment and surgery, no patient coordinator, and no surgeon rotation.
Is a breast uplift with implants suitable for everyone?
No. This procedure is best suited to patients with lighter breasts and moderate sagging. Heavier breasts or those with significant sagging may not achieve the desired result in a combined operation — and the long-term result is less stable because of the added weight of the implant on weakened tissue. In those cases, a staged approach, an uplift alone, or a different operation altogether may serve you better. Your consultant will be honest at consultation about whether this is the right operation for you.
How does Waterfront decide between single-stage and two-stage for my case?
The decision is made together at consultation, based on the weight of your breast tissue, your skin quality, the degree of sagging, the size of implant you want, and your tolerance for two recovery periods. A single-stage operation gives the final result in one go but is more prone to complications, particularly implant displacement or unbalanced healing. A two-stage approach (uplift first, implants added at a second operation once the breast has settled) reduces those risks and often gives a more stable long-term result, at the cost of a second surgery. We will recommend honestly which approach fits your case.
What is the difference between a single-stage and two-stage procedure?
A single-stage procedure combines the uplift and implant placement in one surgery — convenient, one recovery, immediate results. A two-stage procedure separates the uplift and the implant placement into two surgeries spaced months apart, allowing the breasts to settle from the uplift before the implant is added. Two-stage reduces the risk of complications and tends to give more stable long-term results, but requires a longer overall process.
How do I choose the right implant size and shape?
The choice is made in consultation, based on your chest width, breast tissue, lifestyle and what you want the result to look like. The right implant for you is rarely the largest implant that will fit — heavier implants put more strain on the lifted tissue, which can shorten how long the result lasts. Silicone implants are most commonly used and your consultant will go through the options with you in person.
Can I breastfeed after a breast uplift with implants?
It can be possible, but depends on the techniques used and your individual anatomy. The procedure involves work around the nipple-areola complex and can disturb milk ducts. If future breastfeeding is important to you, tell your consultant at consultation — it informs both the incision pattern and the choice of one-stage vs two-stage.
How soon after pregnancy can I have a breast uplift with implants?
Wait at least six months after you have finished breastfeeding (or six months after giving birth if you are not breastfeeding) to allow your breasts to stabilise in size and shape before considering surgery. Operating before the breasts have settled risks needing further surgery later as the shape continues to change.
Will there be visible scars after the procedure?
Scars are permanent but fade gradually over six to twelve months. They are placed in the natural contours of the breast and around the areola so that they are largely hidden under everyday clothing. Most cases need the anchor-shaped scar pattern because of the combined lift and implant placement; your consultant will show you, in person, where the scars will sit before you decide to proceed.
How long do the results of a breast uplift with implants last?
Results are long-lasting but not permanent. Implants typically need exchange or revision after 10–15 years, and the natural ageing process continues regardless. The added weight of the implant on lifted tissue means some recurrence of sagging over time is normal. Maintaining a stable weight and supporting the breasts in a well-fitting bra helps prolong the result.
What is the recovery like after a breast uplift with implants?
Most patients take one to two weeks off work, avoid strenuous upper-body exercise for six weeks, and wear the support bra we fit before you go home day and night for the first three months, then during the day until about six months. Bruising and swelling settle over the first month, and the shape continues to refine over three to six months as the implant takes its final position.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
Your consultant remains personally involved through your recovery. If anything concerns you between scheduled appointments, your consultant will respond directly and arrange to see you as often as needed until things are settled. You are not handed off to a generic aftercare team.
What are the risks associated with a breast uplift with implants?
Risks include infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, scarring, and implant-related issues such as capsular contracture, rupture, malposition or rippling. Because this is a combined operation, the revision rate is higher than for either an uplift or augmentation alone. Your consultant will go through the risks specific to your case in detail at consultation.
What should I look for in a surgeon for this procedure?
Look for a surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery, with genuine experience in combined uplift and implant procedures specifically — not just in uplift alone or implants alone. Ask whether the consultant who assesses you will be the consultant who performs and reviews your surgery (at Waterfront, they will). Look at before-and-after photos of the consultant’s own combined cases, and use the consultation to gauge whether the conversation feels honest — including about whether the operation is right for you at all.

Our breast uplift with implant surgeons

You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your treatment, carries it out and sees you afterwards.

Ms Ewa Majdak-Paredes

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Will Anderson

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS

Mr Ken Stewart

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Omar Quaba

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · ISAPS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

After having a botched mastopexy with implants and uplift at Manchester Private Hospital, I was extremely nervous about going through revision surgery. Because of this, I did a huge amount of research before making any decisions.

My experience with Waterfront Private Hospital was incredible. From the very beginning, Dr Omar Quaba was extremely informative and honest. He explained things to me that I hadn’t been told during my first surgery, and he was very realistic about what could be achieved with a revision, which really helped manage expectations and build trust again from my previous surgery experience.

I am now five months post-surgery and I honestly couldn’t be happier with my results – they look absolutely incredible and have exceeded all expectations, especially with being a revision. I am so glad I went ahead with revision surgery and chose wisely who I went with!

The entire team at Waterfront Private Hospital were amazing. From the nurse who took me into surgery, to the anaesthetist, and the team involved in my follow-up care, everyone was kind, professional, and supportive. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and they were always available when I needed them, even calling to check in post-surgery.

I would honestly only recommend Waterfront Private Hospital and am so grateful for the care and results I received.

Eleanor Morrison
January 2026 Read on Google (opens in a new tab)

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Risks, and how often they happen

Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups. The figures come from UK national guidance and published studies, averaged across many patients, so your own risk may be higher or lower. Your consultant will go through what applies to you, and every risk is in your written consent.

Expected Almost everyone, and they settle

  • Swelling and bruising, most noticeable in the first ten days and settling over the following month.
  • Tightness and discomfort across the chest for the first few days, eased by simple painkillers.
  • Changes in nipple or breast skin sensation, usually temporary.
  • Scars around the areola, down the breast and usually along the fold, red at first and fading over six to twelve months.
  • Small areas of slow healing where the scars meet, usually settled with simple dressings.

Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment

  • A further operation to adjust the shape, the scars or the implant. This is more likely than after an uplift or an augmentation on its own.
    About 1 in 10up to 1 in 5 in some series
  • Capsular contracture. Scar tissue around the implant tightens and the breast feels firm or changes shape. It may be fewer with the nanotextured implants we use, and it may need further surgery.
    About 1 in 20over ten years
  • Implant rupture. The implant shell can wear and leak, often without symptoms, and the implant is then replaced or removed.
    About 1 in 20over ten years
  • Bleeding that needs a return to theatre (haematoma), usually in the first day.
    Under 1 in 50

Rare but serious

  • Loss of part or all of the nipple if its blood supply fails. Smoking raises this risk.
    Under 1 in 100
  • Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare lymphoma in the scar tissue around an implant, usually showing as late swelling of one breast. No UK case has been confirmed in anyone who only ever had smooth implants, and most cases have been with heavily textured implants. We use nanotextured implants from GC Aesthetics (Perle) or Motiva, whose surface is close to smooth.
    About 1 in 12,000implants sold in the UK, all types
  • A blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE). We assess your risk and take steps to prevent it.
    Under 1 in 1,000
  • A serious reaction to the anaesthetic.
    Very rare

For the long term

  • Implants need checking and may need replacing. We offer a breast implant health check with ultrasound in one visit.
  • Some droop returns with time. A stable weight and a well-fitting bra help, and pregnancy or weight change can alter the result.
  • Breastfeeding. The implant does not normally affect it, but the uplift can disturb milk ducts. If it matters to you, tell your consultant at consultation.
Where these figures come from

Aftercare and recovery

Recovery from a breast uplift with implants follows a fairly predictable course. Most patients take one to two weeks off work, avoid strenuous upper-body exercise for six weeks, and wear the support bra we fit before you go home day and night for the first three months, then during the day until about six months.

Bruising and swelling are at their most noticeable in the first ten days and continue to settle over the following month. The shape continues to settle over three to six months as the implant takes its final position, and scars mature over six to twelve months.

Throughout your recovery, your consultant remains personally involved. If anything concerns you between scheduled appointments, your consultant will respond directly and arrange to see you as often as needed until the matter is settled.

  1. Day of surgeryHome the same day with your written aftercare guide. Waterfront is a day hospital.
  2. Week 1Nurse review: wound checked, dressings changed, questions answered.
  3. Week 2Back to office work and light household tasks.
  4. Weeks 3–4Gentle exercise and light activity.
  5. Weeks 5–6Full exercise, building up slowly.
  6. 6 monthsYour consultant reviews the settled result. Sooner if you need it.
  7. 12 monthsNurse reviews, dressing clinics and the treatment of any complications are included.

Typical timings. Your consultant and nurse will tailor them to you.

A nurse talking with a patient resting on the couch at a follow-up review

Written by

Mr Omar Quaba, consultant plastic surgeon

Mr Omar Quaba, MBBChir, FRCS (Plast), GMC 4586300, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, he is fully accredited on the GMC Specialist Register and specialises in advanced cosmetic procedures. Full member of BAAPS.