The lift is used to reposition the breast higher on the chest while the implant is used to give, or restore, upper pole fullness at the top of the breast. This procedure may be performed for cosmetic purposes, or as part of a reconstructive procedure. A full discussion of breast lift without an implant may be seen by reading our breast lift procedure information page. What concerns does a breast lift with implants address?
It's normal for the breasts to sag as you grow older. The breasts, like the rest of the body, tend to sag with age. The sagging can be exacerbated by childbirth, genetics, stretch marks on the breast skin, weight gain, and weight loss. Many women seeking a breast lift wish to regain the full, projecting breast that they had in their teens and some say they dislike the scooped out appearance of the breasts and the loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast. As we age, the breast skin and ligaments that hold the breast to the muscle beneath (the structures that support the breast) become stretched and weaker. Women who find they liked the fullness of their breasts during pregnancy better than post-pregnancy are good candidates for a breast lift with implants. Augmenting while lifting the breast often solves the following concerns:
- sagging or 'hanging' breasts
- loss of fullness in the top portion of breasts
- loss of shape and volume
- stretch marks on the breasts
- asymmetry of one or both breasts
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Breast Lift with Implants
Procedure Information
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How is a Breast Lift with Implants performed?
Your breast augmentation and lift procedure is performed in an Accredited Surgery center located here in Louisville. General anesthesia is used for this procedure.
Breasts sag when the skin gets looser and when the amount of breast tissue decreases. There are two ways to tackle the problem. The problem of loose skin is covered with the breast lift (mastopexy) procedure.
To address the issue of loss of volume or fullness in the breast, a breast augmentation (implant) is often recommended at the same time as the lift. The breast implant fills up the extra skin of the breast. Breast implants manufactured by Allergan Corporation and Mentor Corporation work well to restore the fullness that was in the upper aspect of the breasts.
In some cases with just slight sagging of the breasts, an implant alone without any additional mastopexy (breast lift) may lift the breast. In most cases, the implant is placed beneath the pectoral muscle and the breast lift is then performed. The shape of the breast mound is usually better when both breast augmentation and breast lift are performed together.
The placement of an implant (even a small one) will fill out the top part of the breast and improve the projection. This additional weight on the chest may accelerate the rate of ongoing breast ptosis if the implant is placed above the muscle. For this reason, the implant is usually placed below the muscle.
Is that too much surgery to do on the breast all at one time?
No. We perform the combination breast lift with breast augmentation on a frequent basis. The down time for a breast lift with implants is no more than if either procedure was performed alone.
We find that when mastopexy (breast lift) and augmentation are done at the same time, less skin has to be removed, therefore resulting in less scarring. Most of our mastopexy-augmentations are done using the crescent or partial circumareolar incision. Only in very droopy breasts do we use the 'lollipop' incision.