Breast Augmentation With Lift

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Breast Augmentation With Lift

Performing a breast augmentation along with a lift will increase breast volume and raise sagging breasts.

Overview

Sometimes a combined breast procedure is needed to achieve the look you want for your breasts. The aim of the breast lift procedure is to give you a raised, younger breast contour as well as the desired size nipple at the right height. For many women whose breasts have changed due to childbearing, breastfeeding, or age, simply re-raising the breasts is not enough. Breast augmentation aims to restore the volume loss at the “upper pole” of the breast.

Combining these two processes is a very common technique. But not everyone can. Some women who have had breast augmentation before may require a breast lift along with an implant replacement or revision. History of previous implants or breast lift increases the risk of complications. It should be discussed extensively with your surgeon.

The surgical technique is specific to each patient and will be determined during the consultation process.

Combined Procedure Candidates

  • Have “saggy breasts” with nipples below the breast fold and extra skin
  • Have lost volume in the “upper pole” of the breast
  • Breast asymmetry
  • Physically healthy and psychologically stable
  • It’s also important that patients have realistic expectations of what the procedure can offer.

Unlikely Candidates

Patients anticipating future pregnancy.  Pregnancy most commonly causes significant changes in both the breast skin and tissue.

Patients anticipating future weight loss.  Women who are actively trying to lose weight with diets and exercise regimens should wait until they have achieved a stable weight that they can maintain for their lifetime.  Performing a breast lift when there are weight fluctuations, most often alters the aesthetic result of the procedure.

Patients who have multiple medical problems.

Most common medical problems that may increase the risk of complications or preclude the surgery:

  • Uncontrolled diabetes. High blood sugar impairs the healing process as well as significantly increase risk of infection.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension.  High blood pressure is often associated with cardiovascular disease and may be at risk with general anesthesia.
  • Bleeding disorders.  May cause risk of blood clots, and hematomas.

SMOKING!  The “bad guy” is the nicotine.  Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict.  The breast tissue and skin flaps that are advanced are at significant risk of not having enough blood flow to heal correctly.  Patients who smoke are at very high risk of wound healing problems, incision separation, and infection.  Wounds may take months to heal and also may require additional surgeries.  It is imperative to avoid first and second hand smoking (and all other nicotine forms) 1 month before and after the procedure to minimize the risk of complications.

Combination Benefits

Breast lift with augmentation can enhance the look of the breasts and, as with many plastic surgeries, it often has the added benefit of increasing one’s self confidence. Breast augmentation improves your physical appearance and several psychological studies now confirm that a breast augmentation may enhance your self-esteem and quality of life if done for the correct reasons.

Techniques

There are several different possible techniques that are available for breast lift. If there is breast volume asymmetry, this can be improved my removing the excess volume of the larger breast.  All techniques typically require excess skin excision to help reshape the breast.  These techniques are designed to move the nipple into a more youthful position.   There are other techniques, such as the short-scar lift, which involve less extensive incisions and scarring which may be appropriate for certain individuals.

Are the Scars Bad?

While there are several different techniques to perform this surgery, the scars are the breast mature very well.  All the techniques require a scar around the areola.  Depending on the amount of excess skin and need for lifting of the nipple, the vertical scar may be needed, commonly called the “lollipop scar.”  If there is significant excess skin and ptosis of the nipple, an additional horizontal scar along the fold may be required, called the “anchor scar.”    This scar is around the nipple, then vertically down the front lower breast, and then finally along the breast fold.

Implant Placement

Once the incision is made, the breast tissue is lifted to make a space or pocket into which the implant is then inserted. The implant may be placed in one of two locations: subglandular, which is above the chest muscle, or submuscular, which is beneath the chest muscle.

The Surgery

Breast lift with augmentation typically takes 3 or 4 hours to complete and usually is performed under general anesthesia, either within the  hospital.

A More Comfortable Recovery

The long-lasting pain relief was often 72 hours or more, patients use less oral pain medications, and have quicker recovery.

The Recovery

Surgery is done under general anesthesia, in an out patient hospital, so you will need someone to take you home after surgery and be with you the first day or so following the procedure. After surgery, patients often feel somewhat sore, tired and stiff. This can last for several days. Pain medication prescribed by your doctor can help to alleviate any pain or discomfort that you experience.

A few days after surgery, any bandages that are applied are usually removed. Many times patients are required to wear a support bra or compression bandage to help support and position the breasts. The breast will feel tight at first as the skin and muscle adjusts to the new breast size.  Swelling is common and usually begins to fade within a few weeks.

The scars will be pink right after surgery and for several weeks, but they will fade over a period of several months. The amount of time it takes to recover will be different for each patient and for each technique.

You will most likely be able to go about light daily activities after the first few days, but more aerobic recreation should be delayed for about three weeks. Lifting is discouraged for several weeks, so if you have small children, you need to think about who will help you with the little ones. Most patients return to their jobs within a week unless their job requires lifting or aerobic activity.

Breast Aug With Lift   FAQ

 Operative Time?

A breast lift with augmentation alone typically takes about 3 – 4 hours.

Additional Procedures ?

Breast lift with augmentation is very often combined body contouring procedures such as liposuction, buttock fat grafting, and tummy tuck.  When all of these procedures are done at once it is often referred to as a “Mommy Makeover.“

Combination Cost Discount ?

Yes, adding procedures reduces the overall cost when compared to performing the procedures seperately.

When Can I Go Back To Work ?

Every person recovers differently and also depends on how many procedures they have performed at the same time.  The average return to work for the standard breast lift with augmentation is one week.

Return To Exercise Routine ?

The average return to routine exercises is no sooner than two months.  Often the implants are placed partially under the muscle, and the implants need a few months to “settle” into position.

When Can I Go Bra Shopping ?

It is recommended that fitting for bras should be deferred until 2 months after surgery.  As the breast shape accustoms to the implants, the “fit” may change if you try to buy bras any sooner.

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