Breast Augmentation With Lift Surgery
Many women seeking breast enhancement will find that they have breast droop that can affect the quality of their results. If breast sagging is left untreated at the time of a breast enhancement procedure, patients can develop complications in the future such as double-bubble deformity or their implants bottoming out. If you are looking to increase the volume of your breasts but have mild to significant breast sagging present, a combination breast augmentation and breast lift may be right for you.
When to Consider a Combination Procedure
After Pregnancy
Women who seek breast enhancement procedure following pregnancy are typically looking to restore lost volume. Empty, deflated breasts often appear not only because a lack of volume but also because the breast tissue is sagging.
Following Weight Loss
Women may notice a significant decrease in the size and volume of their breasts following weight loss. This may be accompanied by poor breast shape caused by drooping, undefined breasts.
Women Over 40
As you age, your breast tissue becomes weaker, and many women begin to experience ptosis. These women may also wish to restore youthful volume that they may have lost over the years.
What Can Impact Your Breast Augmentation and Lift?
Degree of Ptosis
The degree of your ptosis plays a significant role in the extent of breast lift needed. Women seeking a breast augmentation will generally have a mild to moderate degree of ptosis.
- Mild – Women with mild breast ptosis have a small portion of lower breast tissue that sits below the inframammary crease. Generally, the nipples still have a good projection and point outward.
- Moderate – Women with moderate breast ptosis have a significant portion of lower breast tissue that sits below the inframammary crease. The nipples may have also begun to point downward.
Implant Material
The type of implant chosen for your procedure will impact the overall look and feel of your breasts.
Saline
- Silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution
- Placed empty and filled during the surgery
- Allows for easy identification of an implant rupture
- More prone to visible wrinkling and rippling
Silicone
- A silicone shell surrounding a cohesive silicone gel
- Best simulates the look and feel of natural breast tissue
- The cohesive nature of the gel minimizes visible wrinkling and rippling
- More difficult to identify implant ruptures
Incision Locations
The best type of incision to use for your procedure will vary depending on the degree of your ptosis, the type of implant used for your augmentation, and your ideal placement location. Incision options include:
- Around the areola
- Around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease
- Around the areola, down the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease
What Are the Benefits of Combining Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Surgery?
Longer-Lasting Results
Women who leave their ptosis untreated at the time of their augmentation may find that they are less satisfied with their results. Even if you don’t develop a serious complication, weak breast tissue can sit on the breasts unattractively or have an aged appearance. Combining your procedure helps ensure that you are satisfied with your augmentation results for future years.
Minimized Need for Revision Surgery
Correcting double-bubble deformity or restoring implants that have bottomed out can require a costly secondary procedure. In addition to extra cost, most people will need to take off work and undergo a secondary recovery. In the long run, treating problems before they arise is both cost-efficient and saves you time.
Improved Breast Appearance
Tissue laxity in the breasts is a common result of the natural aging process. If your breasts have begun to sag, chances are you feel that your body lacks a youthful, firm appearance. Removing excess breast tissue and providing additional support to lax tissue can restore a firmer look and feel to your breast tissue. Achieving firmer breasts often helps create a more youthful body contour.
Before & After Photos
38 year old female had a mommy makeover that included a breast lift plus augmentation (380cc silicone implants) and a mini tummy tuck with high definition liposuction of the abdomen and flanks.
View Photo GalleryWhat Are Your Concerns
Recovery
Your breasts may feel bruised and swollen following your surgery. Breast soreness and tightness is common and may last several days. You will rest for three to four days in an upright position following your surgery.
Most patients can return to work within three to five days following their surgery. You will need to wear a special support bra to facilitate healing and provide better results. Patients can resume their regular exercise routine after four weeks with the surgeon’s permission. Most major swelling should have subsided after six weeks, at which time your final results should be visible. Your implants will sit high on your chest wall immediately after surgery but will settle and drop within six months of your surgery. Minor swelling may last up to six months and can slightly affect the appearance of your breasts.
Pain
You may feel a tight, new pressure on your chest from the additional weight of your implants. This discomfort can last for several days. During this time, oral medication can be taken to control any pain you may experience.
Scars
Dr. Wilson always takes great care to place your incisions in discreet locations. Some patients are more genetically prone to scarring than others. Patients who develop visible scarring will likely see an improvement in their scars over time. Most scarring eventually fades.
Cost
The cost of a breast augmentation and lift is determined by several factors. Surgical fees, implant fees, facility fees, and anesthesia fees are all reflected in the cost of your procedure. The type of implant used, including material and shape, can also affect the cost of your procedure. A customized quote will be provided for you following a thorough consultation.
Breast Augmentation and Lift Frequently Asked Questions in Huntsville, AL
Will my breast implants be placed behind or in front of the pectoral muscle?
Dr. Wilson usually places breast implants behind the muscle for breast augmentation alone and also for breast augmentation with a lift.
How does a breast lift improve the quality of my breast tissue?
A breast lift treats sagging tissue by removing excess skin and reinforcing the remaining tissue using internal sutures. The breast lift restores tissue firmness and provides additional implant support.
What type of anesthesia will be used for my procedure?
Breast augmentations and breast lifts are performed as outpatient procedures with the patient under general anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety.
Is it safe to combine breast augmentation with breast lift surgery?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation and a breast lift can be performed safely in one procedure. These procedures complement each other well, and a combination can be useful when wanting to avoid multiple surgeries.
Who is a good candidate for a breast augmentation and a breast lift combination?
Breast augmentation with a breast lift procedure is a great option for women who would like to add volume to their breasts while also restoring their youthful contours. You may be a good candidate for a breast augmentation and breast lift combination procedure if you:
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit for some time
- Have skin ptosis in your breasts
- Would like to enhance your breast volume and shape
- Desire to restore youthful breast contours
- Would like to restore pre-pregnancy breasts
How can I maintain my breast augmentation and breast lift results?
The size and contours of the breasts can be significantly affected by weight fluctuations. Unhealthy eating and exercise habits can cause changes in the breasts, so try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan to control weight fluctuations. Also, dramatic weight loss or decrease in body fat percentage after your breast surgery will have detrimental effects on your breast appearance as well.
