Breast Lift with Augmentation in Houston and Sugar Land

What is Breast Lift with Augmentation?

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) with breast augmentation is a combination procedure that lifts sagging breasts while increasing their size and enhancing their shape. Aging, pregnancy, weight loss and gravity can all cause breasts to sag. When sagging cannot be corrected by implants alone, augmentation mastopexy may be recommended.

How does Breast Lift with Augmentation work?

During mastopexy alone, excess skin is trimmed away, supporting tissue is tightened, the breasts are “lifted” to sit higher on the chest, and the nipple and areola are repositioned or resized. By adding augmentation with implants to the procedure, the breasts can also be made larger and firmer.

Ideal Candidates for Mastopexy with Augmentation

Good candidates for augmentation mastopexy have sagging breasts that have lost fullness at the top. Candidates must be in good overall health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about what augmentation mastopexy can do. A woman who chooses to undergo augmentation mastopexy is unhappy with her breast size, and has one or more of the following:

• Sagging breasts
• Breasts that have lost shape or volume
• Breasts that are flat or elongated
• Nipples or areolas pointing downward
• One breast lower than the other

A woman planning to have (more) children should not undergo augmentation mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing can counteract its benefits.

How Long Will the Results of My Breast Lift Last?

Breast lifts offer long-lasting results; however, the results are not permanent. Over time, gravity will eventually cause drooping or sagging, which may require another surgery to correct. 

How long a breast lift lasts differs greatly from patient to patient, with some lasting over 15 years without correction and some only 5 years. Your particular results will depend on a variety of factors, including how you take care of your skin, how much your weight fluctuates, and what kind of breast support you wear.

How Soon After My Breast Lift Procedure Can I See the Results?

After your procedure, your breasts will be in a surgical bra or wrapped in an elastic bandage for approximately one week. You will then need to continuously wear a wire-free support bra for the following month or as long as directed by our surgeon. 

While the results from your breast lift procedure will be immediately noticeable, your breasts will refine over time. In the months following your procedure, you may notice your breasts continue to shift as they adjust into their final size, shape, and position. 

Will I Have Any Scars After My Breast Lift?

The exact type of incision used will depend on how much sagging and excess skin you have that needs to be corrected. During your breast lift procedure, we will use one of three types of incisions: a circle, keyhole, or anchor shape. 

Some types of incisions produce scars that are more visible than others. Over time, however, most scars fade and become substantially less noticeable. Before your procedure, we will explain what type of incision we plan to use and discuss scar care so that you know exactly what to expect and how to minimize any long-term scarring.

Can I Combine a Breast Lift with Augmentation with Other Procedures?

Yes, you can combine your breast lift with augmentation with other procedures. While certain procedures are better to do in separate surgeries, others are safe to do in combination with one another. 

One example of how we combine procedures is our mommy makeover. Along with your breast lift with augmentation, you can get liposuction, fat injections, and a tummy tuck to completely transform your body. 

During your breast lift with augmentation consultation, we will discuss any potential procedures you may want to pair with your breast lift to design a treatment plan that is as safe and efficient as possible.

What Type of Implants Can I Choose for My Breast Lift?

We use two types of implants in our breast lifts with augmentation: silicone gel implants and saline implants. Silicone implants are made of medical-grade silicone gel that tends to feel more natural and similar to actual breast tissue than other implants. 

Saline implants consist of a silicone shell that is filled with sterile saline solution after it is in place, which allows for easier adjustments to be made in sizing. During your consultation, we will recommend the type of implant that will give you the results you want and align with your preferences for size, shape, and feel.

Mastopexy with Augmentation Procedure

Augmentation mastopexy is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia and usually takes 1 to 3 hours. Depending on the degree of sagging, the amount of excess skin, and the size and type of the implants, one of the following types of incisions are often used:

• A circular incision around the areola
• A keyhole shape, around the areola and down to the breast crease
• An anchor shape, beginning in the breast crease and extending up to and around the areola

After the incisions are made, excess skin is removed to create a tighter, more defined appearance. The nipple and areola are usually moved higher on the breast or resized. Implants made of either saline solution or silicone gel are inserted under the breast beneath the pectoral muscle or mammary gland. Incisions are then closed with stitches; the incisions used for augmentation mastopexy are longer than those for augmentation alone, which requires only an incision in the breast crease, the bottom of the areola or the armpit.

Breast Lift Augmentation Recovery

For a few days following augmentation mastopexy, patients are likely to have bruising, soreness and swelling that may last for several weeks. Breasts are usually wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra for about a week; a support bra is then worn continuously for a month. Stitches are removed after 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients return to work within a week; exercise and other strenuous activity should be avoided until the surgeon believes the patient to be sufficiently healed.

Breast Augmentation with Breast Lift Before and After

See What Our Patients Are Saying!

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Mastopexy with Augmentation Risks and Complications

In addition to the usual risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, risks specific to augmentation mastopexy include the following:

• Capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around implant)
• Implant leaks and ruptures
• Implant deflation or shifting
• Temporary or permanent change in nipple/breast sensation
• Irregularities in breast contour/shape
• Asymmetry
• Partial or total loss of nipple/areola skin

Depending on the incision type used, augmentation mastopexy can produce visible scars, although, in most cases, scars fade over time, becoming much less apparent.

Although there are instances in which they last several decades, breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. Women who want to maintain the size and shape of their breasts may need to undergo additional surgeries to maintain their results.

What Must I Avoid After Breast Lift with Augmentation?

While not major surgery, your breast lift with augmentation is quite the experience for your body. It’s important that you give yourself adequate time to rest and fully recovery after your procedure. You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions that discuss how to care for your incisions and other aspects of your recovery. In general, some of the things you’ll be advised to avoid include the following:

• Smoking and tobacco use. If you’ve followed your pre-op instructions, you’ve avoided these habits for weeks before your surgery. Avoidance of nicotine is also important, as tobacco and nicotine each affect the body in different ways. Nicotine can alter the blood and create a risk of blood clots. Tobacco and smoking affect how efficiently your body delivers oxygen to all tissues. Without sufficient oxygenation, you may face poor wound healing.
• Alcohol consumption. While a small amount of alcohol is not viewed as dangerous in general, any amount of alcohol consumption can impede your surgical recovery. Alcohol affects the immune system, which can increase the risk of infection. It also causes dehydration and increases the risk of bleeding.
• Side and stomach sleeping. While you’re recovering from your breast surgery, it’s important to sleep on your back in an elevated position. Doing so can prevent fluid buildup and compression in the chest that can impair healing.
• Wearing any bra other than your surgical bra. It’s important to wear your compression garment as directed for as long as it’s recommended. Wearing an underwire bra too soon after surgery can irritate your incisions and ultimately affect your recovery.
• Medications or supplements that are not prescribed or approved. Some medications and even some supplements can interfere with your body’s healing functions. If in question, contact our office. You can remain in the safe zone by taking only your prescribed medications for at least the first two weeks after surgery.

When Can I Exercise after Breast Lift with Augmentation?

You may feel well enough to think you can return to some level of exercise soon after your procedure. Regardless of how well you feel, it’s important to adhere to your post-operative instructions related to activity restrictions.

In general, it is recommended that breast surgery patients avoid exercise for at least two weeks after their procedures. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you can resume your normal level of activity two weeks after your breast lift with augmentation. Initially, you can walk short distances. The purpose of these five to 10-minute walks around the house is to promote optimal circulation, not to sustain your previous activity level.

You can begin to incorporate more fitness-directed activity back into your life approximately five to six weeks after your procedure. At that time, however, your activities may be limited to lower body exercise. Examples include squats, lunges, and glute exercises. You mustn’t engage in rigorous cardio exercise or upper body strength training just yet. You may gradually add upper body work back into your routine six to eight weeks after your breast procedure and must do so slowly. If you experience pain, stop. Too much upper body exercise too soon after surgery poses a risk of breast malformation or poor healing.

Schedule a consultation

If you are interested in Mastopexy Surgery and would like to see if you are a good candidate, call (713) 271-9000 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Altamira has plastic surgery offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas.