Should I Combine a Breast Lift With My Breast Augmentation?

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Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are among the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide. Both of these procedures leave women with substantial body contouring results and can be performed at any adult age to revamp the bustline. 

Dr. Fiala of Fiala Aesthetics commonly sees women desiring both breast enhancement procedures. For some, these procedures can be performed at the same time to address concerns with breast volume and projection. 

When Would a Woman Consider a Breast Augmentation With Lift?

Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery address two very different concerns. Breast augmentation is used to create or restore breast volume and fullness using implants. Breast lift surgery tightens loose and sagging breast tissues to elevate sagging breasts.

Contrary to popular belief, large implants do not lift the breasts. While breast implants can create a slight and subtle lift, they don’t do much. In fact, an implant will only give you a bigger version of what you already have. You may get a little more fullness in the upper pole of the breast, and the nipple may raise slightly; however, women are not likely to get the elevated results they want with augmentation alone. 

Therefore, the ideal candidate for a combination procedure is a woman with significant breast ptosis (drooping) and volume loss.

What Are My Breast Lift Options?

Even if you decide that a breast lift is right for you, there are different types of lifts (all of which can be performed at the same time as an augmentation). The appropriate technique will depend on the extent of breast sagging present.

• For minor sagging, a donut lift is appropriate. This incision option makes two concentric incisions around the areola, allowing Dr. Fiala to remove the skin between the incisions and slightly tighten the tissues. The areola can also be resized.
• For moderate sagging, a vertical lift is best. This incision option runs around the areola and continues vertically down the lower pole of the breast.
• For significant sagging, a full lift (also known as an anchor lift or inverted-T lift) is necessary. This incision follows the vertical lift, but it includes an additional incision across the inframammary fold (breast crease). This option allows for the most significant amount of lift and reshaping.

Like all plastic surgery procedures, you must choose the right lift for your needs. You can’t use a mini lift on someone who needs significant tightening. 

When Can’t You Combine Breast Implants With a Breast Lift?

In most circumstances, women can have their implants placed at the same time as their lift. The main exception to this would be a woman who has undergone significant weight loss, with damaged skin elasticity. These patients do better with the traditional staged approach.

What Are the Drawbacks of Combining a Breast Augmentation and Lift?

While breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are among the most common plastic surgery combinations, they are slightly at odds with each other. 

Essentially, a breast implant is trying to stretch the skin out, while the lift is trying to tighten things together. So, the bigger the implant, the less tightening you can do. Also, the larger the implant, the heavier the implant, and heavy implants (like heavy natural tissue) tend to sag faster, particularly when a patient already has thinning skin.

This is why women are often advised to choose smaller implants that respond better to the combined lift with implant surgery. With this approach, Dr. Fiala can remove more of the stretched, damaged skin while still using a proportional implant for a nice result.It is possible to add an extra level of support to the implant. GalaFLEX® scaffolding mesh can be put around the implant like an internal bra. This is available as an add-on to all breast implant and lift procedures.

What Are the Benefits of Combining a Breast Augmentation With Lift?

There is little more disheartening than undergoing plastic surgery and not getting your anticipated results. This is why Dr. Fiala educates all his patients on what each procedure and technique does and which is truly needed to address their concerns. 

When the right patient undergoes the right plastic surgery procedures using the appropriate techniques, their results will likely meet or exceed their expectations. 

With this combination of lift and implant together, women can revamp their busts, restoring youthful tightness, perkiness, and elevation with fuller, better-shaped breasts.    

Consult With Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fiala in Orlando, FL, Before Your Breast Enhancement Surgery

Dr. Fiala’s primary goal is for you to be happy with your results following your breast surgery. This means matching the proper technique (or combination of techniques) with the right patient. 

If you are considering a breast augmentation, lift, or combination procedure, contact Fiala Aesthetics at 407-339-3222 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.