Breast Lift with Augmentation

More often than not, changes from breast feeding and pregnancy can cause the breasts to not only loose its firm shape but also volume, leaving what some women describe as a “34 long” breast shape instead of a 34C. And if that weren’t enough, the nipple and areola also enlarge and darken. This very common aesthetic issue can be resolved with what is called a mastopexy augmentation, where not only do we augment the breast volume with a smaller implant, but tighten the skin and relocate the nipple to give a very desirable shape to the breast. This combination of mastopexy and breast augmentation is one of the most popular options to include in a comprehensive mommy makeover procedure, and can ultimately give your breasts a more youthful, “perky” appearance.

Dr. Tom Lintner will be happy to speak with you about incorporating breast lift surgery into your mommy makeover. Please contact our practice for more information, or to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon.

Periareolar Mastopexy

For mild cases of ptosis (or sagging) a periareolar lift is all one may need. In this procedure, an incision is made around the areola and then the implant is placed. Then, a second incision is made around the areola but wider than the first. Then the nipple is repositioned at the second incision and the skin is closed. For those of you who have sewn, we use a purse string type closure which tightens the skin as it is brought back together. The incision is “puckered” for lack of a better word for a month or so but smoothes out very nicely. The great thing about this procedure is you get a lot of improvement for the amount of scarring. Not everyone is a candidate though, if you are looking for very perky, this may not be the procedure for you. We can only move the nipple about two to three centimeters safely with this procedure.

Full Breast Lift with Augmentation

For more severe cases of ptosis, a breast lift with augmentation—also called mastopexy-augmentation or breast lift with implants—is designed to completely reshape the breast. By using an implant, we replace the lost volume and then carefully re-drape the skin over the implant. Excess skin is removed, the nipple is repositioned and then the skin closed. With this procedure we can do almost anything with regards to reshaping the breast, but keep in mind, one of the reasons that you need a lift is lack of elasticity in the skin. It is almost impossible for some women to achieve a “fake look” with poor skin elasticity. During your consultation, Dr. Lintner will be happy to explain the different types of lifts and if a lift with augmentation could help you to restore your breasts to their pre-pregnancy appearance.

A breast lift with an augmentation alone typically requires about one to weeks of acute recovery before you are able to resume normal daily activities, with four weeks for heavy housework or light aerobic activity and six to eight weeks before you can be 100% at the gym; however, the total recovery time will depend on other procedures you may have included in your mommy makeover. Dr. Lintner typically instructs his patients to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks after breast lift in order to give them time to heal properly.

If you are considering adding mastopexy augmentation to your customized mommy makeover procedure, please contact us today.