Breast · Abu Dhabi & Dubai
Mastopexy with Implants
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paulo Michels, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon· Updated 18 July 2026
Mastopexy with implants (augmentation mastopexy) lifts and reshapes sagging breasts while restoring lost volume with silicone implants in a single surgery. Dr. Paulo Michels performs the procedure at Elyzee Hospital in Abu Dhabi, offering lift-only, implant and hybrid fat-transfer pathways tailored to each patient's anatomy, with drainless surgery and a rapid recovery protocol.
Whether due to maternity, weight fluctuations or the natural ageing process, breast tissue undergoes significant stress over time — and as a premier plastic surgery practice in Abu Dhabi, the emotional toll this can take is well understood. Dr. Paulo Michels specialises in bespoke breast lifts — offering multiple advanced techniques tailored to your body — and uses cutting-edge 3D simulation technology during your consultation to visualise your exact potential result before you step into the operating room. The philosophy at Elyzee Hospital combines impeccable surgical precision with a concierge luxury experience, catering to a demographic that demands the latest global innovations for longevity and comfort.
What causes breasts to sag?
Breast ptosis — the medical term for sagging — is primarily caused by a loss of skin elasticity and the stretching of the breast’s internal ligaments. It is typically triggered by genetics, ageing, significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding. Understanding the degree of ptosis is the first step in choosing the right corrective technique.
Do I need a lift, implants, or both?
One of the most common questions from patients in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is deciding between a breast lift, a lift with implants, or a combination approach. A mastopexy (breast lift) alters the position and shape of the breast, elevating the nipple-areolar complex and tightening the skin envelope — but it does not significantly change overall volume. An implant changes the absolute size and provides three-dimensional expansion. Dr. Michels evaluates the choice objectively, with no preference for any single method — the right decision depends entirely on your anatomy, the degree of deflation and your lifestyle. Three customised pathways are offered:
Mastopexy without implants (including auto-augmentation). Ideal if you are happy with your volume when supported in a bra but wish to eliminate sagging and achieve a youthful, perky contour. For upper-pole fullness without foreign bodies, Dr. Michels performs the auto-augmentation mastopexy: instead of discarding the lower breast tissue that is traditionally removed, he repositions your own biological tissue to the upper chest — creating the projection and cleavage of a small implant using only natural tissue, with zero risk of implant-related complications.
Mastopexy with implants (augmentation mastopexy). Indicated when the breast has significantly emptied or deflated — commonly after prolonged breastfeeding or massive weight loss — and you wish to restore lost size while lifting the tissue. Combining the lift with an implant provides a powerful architectural change, restoring firm upper-pole volume and correcting both the droop and the loss of breast mass in a single surgery.
The Hybrid Mastopexy (implants plus fat transfer). For patients who require volume restoration but demand the most undetectable, natural-feeling result. This advanced, highly sought-after technique combines a tissue lift, a smaller silicone implant for core volume, and targeted autologous fat transfer using your own purified fat. The fat is strategically injected to soften the décolletage and completely camouflage the implant edges.
How is the implant chosen?
If implants are part of your plan, selection is highly personalised and based on naturalness — sizes are chosen to match your thorax width, respect your underlying anatomy and align with your active lifestyle and family needs.
- Profiles — high profile gives maximum forward projection and cleavage; moderate gives a balanced, natural curve; low gives a subtle, wider enhancement
- Shapes — round implants provide consistent upper-pole fullness and hold their shape in any position; ergonomic implants adapt to your body’s movement, settling into a natural teardrop shape when standing and flattening slightly when lying down
- Placement — Dr. Michels prefers Dual Plane placement, positioning the implant partially under the pectoralis muscle for superior soft-tissue coverage, a natural slope and long-term support. In specific cases with adequate natural tissue, an over-the-muscle approach may be considered
Which incision will I need?
Different degrees of sagging require different surgical approaches — the type of scar is dictated strictly by your starting anatomy:
| Degree of ptosis | Technique | Incision |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (mild) | Periareolar (donut) lift | Restricted to the circular border of the areola; the scar camouflages into the skin’s pigmentation transition |
| Grade 2 (moderate) | Circumvertical (Lollipop or L-shape) lift — the modern gold standard | Around the areola plus a vertical line to the breast crease; substantial skin removal and deep reshaping with no horizontal scar |
| Grade 3 (severe) | Inverted-T (anchor) lift — for very large breasts, post-bariatric patients or terminal laxity | Areolar, vertical and a horizontal incision hidden in the breast fold; the extended access allows the most dramatic architectural remodelling possible |
What makes this approach different?
The Autologous Internal Bra. Gravity and declining skin elasticity mean traditional lifts can settle over time. Rather than introducing synthetic mesh or additional foreign material into the body, Dr. Michels designs and secures your own native muscles and fascia into a robust sling — an internal foundation that supports the breast pole natively, ensuring long-lasting perkiness and projection while eliminating the risks associated with synthetic mesh in the breast pocket.
Drainless surgery. Surgical drains are a universal source of anxiety, associated with discomfort. Advanced tension-suturing techniques and precise anatomical dissection allow the mastopexy to be performed completely without drains — without increasing the risk of fluid buildup (seroma), while reducing the risk of retrograde infection and removing the burden of managing tubes at home.
Surgical glue closure. The final skin layer is closed with advanced cyanoacrylate surgical glue instead of traditional external stitches that can leave track marks. This waterproof, antibacterial dermal adhesive holds the skin edges together with zero tension, optimising the healing environment and promoting the finest, most imperceptible scar lines possible over time.
What about safety and anaesthesia?
For maximum safety and profound comfort, all mastopexy procedures are performed under advanced general anaesthesia in state-of-the-art, JCI-accredited theatres at Elyzee Hospital in Abu Dhabi. You are completely asleep, entirely pain-free and have no awareness of the procedure. Your airway is secured and your vital signs are continuously monitored by board-certified anaesthesiologists — the safest possible environment, which allows Dr. Michels to focus with undivided attention on the meticulous, unhurried details of your aesthetic result.
Every surgery incorporates precise, ultrasound-guided nerve blocks: the anaesthesiologist uses ultrasound imaging to inject long-acting local anaesthetic around the specific nerves supplying the chest, numbing the area proactively. This pre-emptive pain management, combined with no-touch surgical techniques that minimise tissue trauma and drainless surgery, forms the core of the 24-Hour Rapid Recovery Protocol. Many patients shower, gently lift their arms and resume light social activities within 24 to 48 hours, without heavy, nausea-inducing narcotics.
What are the risks?
Trust is the practice’s primary currency, and that demands a transparent discussion of risks. While all surgery carries inherent risks, meticulous protocols are designed to minimise them. Potential though rare complications include asymmetry, seroma, haematoma and delayed healing. Vascular and nerve pedicles are meticulously preserved during the lift to protect erogenous sensitivity; transient numbness or hypersensitivity in the first months is normal, permanent loss of sensation is rare, and normal feeling typically returns as the tissues heal over 3 to 6 months.
What is the recovery timeline?
Precise expectation management is part of the care philosophy — you should know exactly what each phase of healing feels like before surgery day.
| Phase | What to expect | Care and restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Moderate discomfort, easily controlled; swelling; breasts appear high and firm | Strict rest; continuous compression bra; no abrupt arm lifting |
| Weeks 1–2 | Initial swelling dissipates rapidly; bruising fades | Safe to drive and return to office work; no strenuous exercise |
| Weeks 4–6 | Breasts soften and settle; incisions reach final healing stages | Light aerobics and lower-body exercise; no heavy chest training |
| 3–6 months | Drop and fluff: implants and tissue settle into a natural teardrop shape | No restrictions; final natural look achieved |
Most patients return to desk or remote work within 5 to 7 days, once off prescription pain medication; physically strenuous jobs need 4 to 6 weeks of clearance. Light lower-body walking is encouraged immediately to promote circulation; light cardio such as stationary cycling can resume at 3 to 4 weeks; high-impact cardio, running and heavy upper-body weightlifting wait at least 6 weeks. The surgical compression bra is worn day and night — except when showering — for the first 4 to 6 weeks to minimise swelling and support the newly lifted tissues.
Drop and fluff. Initially the breasts may look high, firm and slightly square due to swelling and tight skin. Over 3 to 6 months the muscle relaxes, the skin accommodates, and the tissue or implants drop into a natural position and fluff out into a soft, teardrop contour — the final natural look.
How long do the results last?
A breast lift turns back the clock, but it does not stop it. Results are long-lasting — especially when supported by the autologous Internal Bra technique — though future pregnancies, significant weight fluctuations and the natural ageing process will eventually affect skin elasticity. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle is the best way to protect your investment for decades.
The concierge medical experience
Your surgical journey should reflect the exclusivity of Abu Dhabi and Dubai: dedicated patient coordinators, private VIP recovery suites at Elyzee Hospital, and a seamless process designed around your privacy and comfort — the logistics and clinical excellence are handled for you, so you can focus entirely on your transformation.
Questions, answered
Mastopexy with Implants in Abu Dhabi — your questions
What is a mastopexy (breast lift)?+
A mastopexy elevates and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue for a firmer contour, and repositioning the nipple-areolar complex higher on the chest wall to restore a youthful, perkier profile.
What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast augmentation?+
A breast lift changes the shape and position of the breast by lifting sagging tissue, but does not significantly change the overall volume. Breast augmentation uses silicone implants or fat transfer to increase the absolute size. The procedures are often combined for patients who want both a lift and increased size.
How do I know if I need a lift, implants, or both?+
If your nipples point downward or rest below the breast crease, an implant alone will not fix the drooping and may cause an unnatural waterfall deformity. A lift corrects the skin laxity and nipple position; an implant is added if you also want more volume. Dr. Paulo Michels evaluates this objectively based on your anatomy.
Can a breast lift correct breast asymmetry?+
Yes. It is very common for women to have breasts of different sizes or varying degrees of sagging. A customised breast lift can adjust the skin envelope, nipple position and tissue volume independently on each side to create optimal symmetry and balance.
What causes breasts to sag (ptosis)?+
Breast ptosis is primarily caused by a loss of skin elasticity and the stretching of the breast's internal ligaments — typically triggered by genetics, ageing, significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding.
What is an Auto-Augmentation Mastopexy?+
An advanced lift for patients who want more upper-pole fullness without silicone implants. Instead of discarding excess lower breast tissue, Dr. Paulo Michels reshapes and secures your own natural biological tissue higher on the chest wall, creating the projection of a small implant using only your native tissue.
What is a Hybrid Mastopexy?+
A premium technique combining three elements: a tissue lift, a smaller silicone implant for core volume, and autologous fat transfer using your own purified fat. The fat is injected around the implant edges to soften the contour, producing an exceptionally natural look and feel.
Do I have to get implants with my breast lift?+
No. If you are happy with your volume when supported in a bra, a mastopexy without implants elevates the tissue, tightens the skin and restores a youthful shape using only your natural anatomy. For upper-pole fullness without implants, Dr. Michels also offers the auto-augmentation mastopexy, which repositions your own lower breast tissue higher on the chest.
What is the Autologous Internal Bra technique?+
Rather than inserting synthetic mesh, Dr. Michels uses your own native muscles and fascial tissue to create a robust internal supporting sling. This holds the lifted breast securely in place, counteracting gravity for long-lasting perkiness and projection.
Do you use synthetic mesh for the internal bra?+
No. The practice prioritises biological integration: Dr. Michels manipulates your body's own native fascia and muscular structures to provide deep support, eliminating the risks associated with inserting foreign synthetic meshes into the breast pocket.
What is the Dual Plane implant technique?+
An advanced placement method where the top half of the implant sits under the pectoralis muscle and the bottom half rests under the glandular breast tissue. This provides excellent soft-tissue coverage to hide the implant edges while allowing the lower breast to expand into a natural teardrop shape.
What is the difference between round and ergonomic implants?+
Round implants provide consistent fullness, particularly in the upper pole and cleavage area, and hold their shape in any position. Ergonomic implants behave like natural breast tissue — settling into a gentle teardrop shape when you stand and flattening slightly when you lie down.
Will I have visible scars?+
All incisions leave a scar, but they are strategically placed and mature significantly over 12 to 18 months. Dr. Michels closes the skin with advanced cyanoacrylate surgical glue — a waterproof, antibacterial seal with zero tension that promotes the finest, most imperceptible scar lines, easily hidden by swimwear or lingerie.
What is a periareolar (Grade 1) breast lift?+
Also known as a donut lift, this technique suits very mild sagging. The incision is made only around the circular border of the areola, so the scar camouflages naturally within the transition line between the darker areolar skin and the lighter breast skin.
What is a circumvertical or Lollipop breast lift?+
The modern gold standard for moderate sagging: an incision around the areola plus a vertical line dropping to the breast crease, resembling a lollipop. It allows excellent reshaping and lifting without requiring a horizontal scar along the breast fold.
When is an anchor (inverted-T) breast lift necessary?+
The anchor lift is required for severe ptosis, very large breasts or significant weight loss (post-bariatric patients). Incisions run around the areola, vertically down the breast and horizontally along the inframammary crease, giving the surgeon maximum access to dramatically remodel the breast architecture.
How does surgical glue improve breast lift scars?+
Instead of traditional external stitches that can cause tension and track marks, Dr. Michels uses an advanced cyanoacrylate surgical glue. It creates a waterproof, antibacterial seal that holds the skin edges together with zero tension, promoting a much finer, flatter and smoother final scar.
Are surgical drains needed?+
No. Using advanced tension-suturing techniques and precise anatomical dissection, Dr. Michels performs drainless breast lifts — improving comfort, removing the anxiety of managing tubes at home and reducing the risk of retrograde infection, without increasing the risk of fluid buildup (seroma).
Is a breast lift performed under general or local anaesthesia?+
For absolute safety, precise control and maximum comfort, all breast lift surgeries with Dr. Michels are performed under advanced general anaesthesia. You are completely asleep, unaware and pain-free throughout the entire procedure.
Why is general anaesthesia considered superior for a mastopexy?+
General anaesthesia in a JCI-accredited hospital such as Elyzee Hospital ensures your airway is completely secured and your vital signs are continuously monitored by a board-certified anaesthesiologist, allowing the surgical team to focus entirely on the meticulous aesthetic details of your surgery in a deeply controlled, safe environment.
Where does Dr. Paulo Michels perform his surgeries?+
All procedures are performed in the state-of-the-art, JCI-accredited surgical theatres at Elyzee Hospital in Abu Dhabi, guaranteeing the highest international standards of medical safety, sterility and premium post-operative care.
What are ultrasound-guided nerve blocks?+
An anaesthesiologist uses ultrasound imaging to precisely inject long-acting local anaesthetic around the specific nerves supplying the chest. This numbs the surgical area proactively, so you wake up remarkably comfortable and the need for heavy, nausea-inducing narcotic painkillers is drastically reduced.
Will I lose nipple sensation?+
Temporary changes in sensation — hypersensitivity or numbness — are normal in the first weeks due to swelling. Because the vascular and nerve pedicles are meticulously preserved during the lift, permanent loss of sensation is rare, and normal feeling typically returns over 3 to 6 months.
What is the 24-Hour Rapid Recovery Protocol?+
A comprehensive surgical and anaesthetic approach designed to drastically cut downtime. By combining ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, precise no-touch surgical techniques that minimise tissue trauma, and drainless surgery, many patients can comfortably shower, gently lift their arms and resume light social activities within 24 to 48 hours.
How much pain will I experience after a breast lift?+
Thanks to pre-emptive nerve blocks and refined surgical techniques, most patients describe the recovery as moderate discomfort, tightness or a sensation similar to an intense chest workout rather than acute pain — usually easily managed with oral medication for the first few days.
How soon can I return to work after a mastopexy?+
Most patients return to desk or remote office work within 5 to 7 days, provided they are no longer taking prescription pain medication and feel energetic enough. Jobs requiring strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting need 4 to 6 weeks of clearance.
When can I resume exercising after a breast lift?+
Light lower-body walking is encouraged immediately to promote circulation. Light cardiovascular exercise, such as stationary cycling, can usually resume at 3 to 4 weeks. High-impact cardio, running and heavy upper-body weightlifting must wait at least 6 weeks so the internal tissues and incisions stabilise securely.
How long do I need to wear a compression bra?+
You are fitted with a specialised surgical compression bra immediately after surgery. To ensure optimal healing, minimise swelling and support the newly lifted tissues, wear it day and night — except when showering — for the first 4 to 6 weeks.
What is drop and fluff?+
The natural settling process after surgery. Initially the breasts may look high, firm and slightly square due to swelling and tight skin. Over 3 to 6 months the muscle relaxes, the skin accommodates, and the tissue or implants drop into a natural position and fluff out into a soft, teardrop contour.
How long do the results last?+
A breast lift turns back the clock but does not stop it. Results are long-lasting — especially when supported by the autologous Internal Bra technique — though future pregnancies, weight fluctuations and natural ageing will eventually affect skin elasticity. A stable weight and healthy lifestyle protect your result for decades.
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