Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation

Overview | Patient Specific Questions | Photo Gallery

1. What is Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation?
2. Am I a good candidate for Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation?
3. What can I expect at my initial Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation consultation?
4. What are the risks and complications of Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation ?
5. How is A Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure performed?
6. What can I expect after Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation surgery?
7. Where are the incisions following Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation Surgery?
8. Will I have scars following a breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure?
9. When will I be able to return home after a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure?

What is a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation?

A Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation is a combination procedure involving a breast lift performed synchronously with implant augmentation. This procedure allows for improvement of both the breast mound size and shape at the same time as correcting nipple areola droop. The breast lift allows for transfer of the nipple areola complex to a higher more aesthetically pleasing position and the breast implant augmentation allows for improvement in upper pole fullness and increase medial breast cleavage.

Am I good candidate for Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation?

The best candidates for Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation are women whose breasts have become saggy and pendulous at the same time as losing volume and substance. The shape and firmness of your breasts may have been adversely affected by several factors including loss of skin elasticity, gravity, weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding. A Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation is suitable for patients who want to raise and increase their breast size at the same time in order to regain a more desirable appearance.

What can I expect at my initial Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation consultation?

At your initial consultation, you and Dr. Mowlavi will discuss your concerns and goals regarding reversing undesirable breast droop , loss of medial cleavage, and lack of upper pole volume. He will describe what the breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure will entail. Dr. Mowlavi will then perform a physical examination, after which you will decide together what size implant will be best suited for your situation. You will have the opportunity to review before and after photographs of Dr. Mowlavi’s patients. Once all of your questions have been answered, a complimentary quotation will be provided and explained in detail.

What are the risks and complications of Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation?

As with all surgical procedures, there are side effects and risks of surgery. Your Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation may take anywhere between two to four hours of operative time to complete. In order to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this surgery, Dr. Mowlavi and our board Certified Anesthesiologist conduct a detailed review of your medical history, lab values, and if indicated, EKG results. If you are found to have any risk factors, Dr. Mowlavi may post-pone your surgery. Both Dr. Mowlavi and the Anesthesiologist participate in this process to determine if you are physically stable to proceed with the Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation surgery.

Side Effects: Side effects are events that may be experienced by patients as a result of your surgery and should not be considered adverse events. Our patients are counseled regarding these effects and if experienced they are tolerable and usually temporary in duration.

Side Effects:

1. Swelling after surgery usually results in loss of feeling in the breast and nipple area during the first several weeks. This impairment should be temporary and last no longer than a few months. In some cases, the loss of feeling can last longer following inadvertent injury to sensory nerves during surgical dissection. Fortunately, numbness is an infrequent event and when present resolves itself over 2 to 3 months.
2. Hypertrophic scar: Hypertrophic scarring refers to the development of a thickened scar over the surgical incision line. Risk of hypertrophic scarring is minimized by use of superior strength internal sutures and appropriate operative maneuvers to minimize incision line tension during surgery.
3. Breast/Nipple asymmetry: Depending on the severity of preoperative breast asymmetry, differences in breast size and shape and/or nipple position may persist, but any differences should be subtle and significantly improved from your preoperative state.
4. Nursing difficulty: Common belief is that breast lift surgery may adversely affect breast feeding potential. However, this side effect is difficulty to quantitate as 50% of mothers who have never had breast surgery claim to have difficulty with breast feeding.
5. High riding implants: Patient’s frequently notice high riding implants in the early postoperative period. The implants will drop into their desired, aesthetically pleasing position within 2 to 4 weeks. The tendency for the implants to sit high is countered by wearing of a breast band, which will be provided by your plastic surgeon. The breast band will be worn for approximately 2 to 4 weeks until the implants fall into their desired space.
6. Capsule formation: Capsule formation refers to the normal formation of a scar around an implant. This scar should remain thin; but when thickened, it is termed capsular contracture and can result in distortion of the overlying breast. Capsular contracture is rarely observed with saline implants and has been minimally observed with the use of new generation silicone implants.
7. Deflation: Deflation of the implants occurs at a rate of 1% per implant per year. So in 10 years there is a 10% chance of having an implant deflate.

Risks: Risks are unwanted events that may occur during or following surgery. These events are recognized as “complications” but their occurrence is minimized by appropriate patient selection, proper surgical decision making, effective surgical technique, and thorough preoperative and postoperative patient management.

1. Hematoma: Hematoma refers to the accumulation of blood in the breast pocket in the early postoperative period. Hematomas provide an ideal medium for the growth of bacteria. If you have an infection elsewhere in your body, the bacteria will travel through the blood stream and find the hematoma. Additionally, hematomas can promote incision breakdown and even overlying breast skin compromise.
2. Seroma: Seroma formation refers to the accumulation of plasma fluid in surgical pockets due to disruption of lymphatic vessels. Patients may be prone to seromas if they possess a low blood count or have protein deficiency. Seromas can be a nuisance to patients requiring several aspirations in the office prior to their resolution. Additionally, these plasma filled pockets may harbor bacterial growth resulting in an infection.
3. Infection: An infection can occur following breast lift surgery. The infection may disrupt incision lines and may leave the patient with an open wound. Prolonged antibiotics are required to fight the infection and to prevent further extension of the infection. Infections are less likely in patients who don’t smoke cigarettes or in patients who quit smoking for at least 1 month prior to surgery.
4. Skin edge death/open wound: The skin incision can be disrupted if the skin edge dies or if there is local infection. This complication is best avoided by counseling patients on the terrible consequences of nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine constricts small vessels found in the skin which are critical for the healing of the skin edge. As a result, patients are urged to quit smoking for at least 1 month prior to surgery. In addition, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to the undesired sloughing of the skin. Diabetic patients are urged to be vigilant about controlling their blood sugar levels prior to surgery. If patients develop an open wound, they will require prolonged antibiotics and local wound care with frequent dressing changes. Delays in healing will compromise the aesthetics of your surgical incision line.
5. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may occur in the legs immediately following surgery. DVT refers to the clotting off of leg veins which may result in compromised blood flow return from the legs; a more critical consequence may develop from this clot if it is dislodged and travels to the lungs causing a pulmonary emboli. Although rare, pulmonary emboli are the leading cause of death following surgery. DVT’s are avoided with routine use of pneumatic compression boots during surgery and encouraging patients to walk as soon as possible following surgery.
6. Pneumothorax: A pneumothorax refers to the inadvertent puncturing of the lining that covers your lungs. This is a rare event but can occur since implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle. When dissecting under the muscle, only a few millimeters of tissue separate the breast pocket from the lung lining. If the lung lining is punctured, the surgeon will have to place a catheter into the lung cavity and seal the lung lining at the end of surgery. You will require overnight hospitalization and removal of the catheter the following day prior to going home.

How is a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure performed?

Breast Lift with Implant surgery takes approximately 2 to 4 hours and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. Dr. Mowlavi specializes in using a vertical mastopexy incision to allow for both transfer of the nipple areola complex to a more desired position and to allow for synchronous placement of a subpectoral implant. The vertical mastopexy additionally, ensures upper pole fullness and appropriate medial cleavage following implant augmentation. All incision lines are sutured internally and taped externally; external tapes are kept in place for 4 weeks after surgery ensuring optimally supported incision lines during the early healing period. Patients will also wear a supportive bra or exercise bra for four weeks after surgery.

What can I expect after Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation surgery?

Patients who undergo Breast Lift with Implant surgery are extremely satisfied with the enhanced contour and youthful appearance of the breasts. By providing a thorough preoperative workup, safe intraoperative course, and frequent postoperative visits, patients should expect a speedy recovery and return to a more aesthetically pleasing physique and more comfortable lifestyle. Patients who undergo Breast Lift with Implant augmentation surgery enjoy many years of aesthetically pleasing breasts. Although gravity will decrease the firmness and youthful appearance of your breasts over time, an enhanced contour appearance compared to pre-operative conditions is realized.

Patients usually experience an immediate and dramatic change in the shape, contour and projection of their breasts. For the first day or two, you will need to limit your upper body activity and remain rested most of the time. You should also sleep with your head elevated in order to avoid using your arms when getting in and out of bed. Patients will be expected to wear a support bra with no underwire starting at 2 weeks and up to one month following surgery. Patients with jobs that do not require strenuous activity may return to work one week after surgery. Patients with physically rigorous jobs will have to wait 4-6 weeks prior to returning to work.

Following breast lift with implant augmentation surgery, patients may infrequently experience loss of sensation in the breast area but this numbness is usually transient. It will usually take several months for the final shape and contour of your breasts to settle in.

Where are the incisions following a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure?

Incision patterns vary, depending on degree of excess skin and tissue and amount of lifting required. Dr. Mowlavi utilizes a vertical mastopexy incision line which uses a peri-areolar incision, with a vertical extension inferiorly on all patients; those with more droopy breasts, will require an extension of the vertical incision along the infra-mammary crease. This technique ensures minimal tension on the areola thus optimizing healing of areolar incision lines.

Will I have scars following a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure?

Although surgical incisions do look reddish and are evident at first, they progressively fade to pink and then blend into your natural color. Dependent on the natural pigmentation of your skin, the incisions may fade to be nearly invisible. Generally, surgical scars should heal as fine lines. Dr. Mowlavi and his staff go to great lengths to ensure well healed incision lines utilizing an anti-scar topical silicone gel used for one month following surgery. In addition, Dr. Mowlavi may advocate several sessions of intense pulse Light Therapy if he feels your incisions demonstrate prolonged redness.

When will I be able to return home after a Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation procedure?

Breast Lift with Implant Augmentation surgery is an “Out Patient” surgery. You will be released to go home or to an after care facility of your choice after you recover from surgery. We do offer “Recovery Retreat” options, for the patients who feel more comfortable having around the clock after care post-operative care by a registered nurse for the first few days following surgery.