Breast Lift with Implants
(Mastopexy with Breast Augmentation) Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin’s natural elasticity begin to have an effect on the appearance of a woman’s breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing will often cause the breasts to lose volume as well as their youthful shape and firmness. Replacing the lost volume and restoring upper breast fullness is typically accomplished with a breast implant. This can lead a woman to seek a breast augmentation. Breast implant surgery is the most popular way to improve breast shape and size. Dr. Naveen prefers placing implants beneath the chest wall muscle. After surgery, breasts will appear “fuller” and more shapely in contour. If the position of the nipples has dropped too much, then a breast lift will be recommended. A breastlift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The mastopexy procedure improves the appearance of the outside of your breasts in several ways. The breast tissue is elevated, removing the excess skin from the lower portion of the breast, reshaping and tightening the remaining breast skin. At the same time, it repositions the nipple and the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding your nipple) to the esthetically desired higher position. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola if a significant amount of stretching over time has occurred. While the mastopexy procedure will result in some increase in upper breast fullness, significant enhancement or improvement in fullness can be achieved by placing a saline implant at the time of the mastopexy procedure. A bilateral Mastopexy with Breast Augmentation will more predictably center the nipple, improve breast volume and firmness, and achieve better cleavage. In some instances Dr. Naveen may recommend because of medical reasons or you may elect for personal reasons to “stage” the procedures by performing the breast lift first. Then, after you have recovered and the time is right, you can proceed with the breast augmentation surgery at a later time. When performing breast augmentation surgery incisions for placing the implants are made to keep scars as inconspicuous as possible. During the combined or staged Mastopexy Augmentation procedure, Dr. Naveen will place the breast implant through the mastopexy incisions and therefore not have to make any additional incisions for the augmentation portion. The scars from breast lift with augmentation surgery will typically fade over time.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is intended to address breast ptosis (sagging) by removing inelastic skin and elevating the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. The procedure can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). In some cases, Dr. Naveen —our experienced plastic surgeon—may recommend the use of breast implants inserted in conjunction with a mastopexy procedure to increase both firmness and size.
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
Women in good health who are experiencing moderate to severe sagging of the breasts (ptosis) are typically considered good candidates for breast lift surgery. In addition to the effects pregnancy and breastfeeding can have on a woman’s breasts, the natural aging process and gravity also contribute to a less firm or youthful breast shape. Pregnancy and nursing may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast lift surgery before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. Since the milk ducts and nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery usually will not affect your ability to breastfeed.
How Is the Breast Lift Procedure Performed?
During a typical mastopexy procedure, excess skin is removed along the lower part of the breasts, breast tissue is elevated, and remaining skin is tightened under general anesthesia. Additionally, a circular incision is made around the nipple and areola, allowing them to be elevated to a more youthful position. If desired, Dr. Naveen can also modify the size and shape of the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) at this time. The incision around the areola is then connected to a vertical incision down to the crease of the breast, creating a “lollipop” or racquet-shaped pattern. When there is excessive skin due to sagging and/or size, an additional horizontal incision along the crease of the breast (creating an “anchor” pattern) may be required for proper shaping. While many women are able to achieve mild to moderate breast fullness in the upper pole, a breast lift with implants may be recommended to patients who would like a more significant improvement in breast volume and shape.
Do I Need a Breast Lift with Implants?
Deciding whether or not to include breast implants as part of your breast lift is a personal choice. However, Dr. Naveen will work closely with you and can make a recommendation, based on your individual aesthetic goals. A breast lift with augmentation is designed to help provide more fullness to the breasts if there is not much breast tissue available or if the patient is seeking a more pronounced volume increase. Women who do not want noticeable enlargement, but have insufficient breast tissue, can still attain a natural-looking result with smaller breast implants.
What Is Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery Like?
where you are able to go home after the surgery (under the overnight care of a family member or friend). No drains are involved, and the incisions are usually closed with absorbable stitches. Most breast lift patients are able to resume their regular routine approximately one week after surgery, although any high-impact or strenuous activity should be avoided for at least three weeks. Dr. Naveen will provide you with more specific guidelines according Breast lift surgery, with or without implants, is typically an outpatient procedure to your customized treatment plan. Any resulting swelling and bruising should progressively fade as your body heals, and medication can be prescribed to help with any potential discomfort during recovery. As with all plastic surgery procedures, carefully following Dr. Naveen aftercare instructions and returning to our office for your follow-up appointments are crucial for achieving an ideal outcome.
Will I Have Breast Lift Scars?
Although it is impossible to avoid scarring after breast lift surgery, Dr. Naveen strategically places incisions in a way that can help scars remain relatively inconspicuous, once healed. The appearance of your scars will depend on the specific technique used during surgery; however, Dr. Naveen will provide you with detailed post-operative care information that can help scars heal successfully and fade as much as possible. Overall, Dr. Naveen breast lift patients are typically so pleased with their results that they do not mind any residual scarring.