Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation

Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation

Although many women who wanted to have their breasts enlarged prefer larger breasts with minimal scarring, some women want a combination of both a breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation.  For the woman seeking a breast augmentation, often the surgical decision process is more complex.  Your plastic surgeon will evaluate you whether a breast lift  may be necessary or not.  If one would need a mastopexy, the degree of ptosis (sagging of the breasts) will determine what kind of breast lift procedure would be necessary.   The kind of mastopexy procedure would affect the degree and extent of scarring one would have.  
Another question one should ask would be "when should the breast lift be performed?" Should it be performed before or after you undergo breast augmentation?   These are questions that one should ask your plastic surgeon before you undergo your breast surgery.

Red Brassiere (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Fast Facts about Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation

• The complication rate of primary breast augmentation (1st time one is having breast augmentation) is approximately 1.7% over a three-year period (Scott Spear's study).
• The complication rate of a revision or re-do breast augmentation is ~ 21.6%.
• The complication rate of a simultaneous primary breast augmentation with mastopexy (1st time of having breast implant surgery with a breast lift performed at the same time) is approximately 17.4% over a three-year period (Scott Spear's study).
• The complication rate of a revision breast augmentation with a breast lift is ~ 23.3%.
• Simultaneous breast augmentation/mastopexy (breast augmentation & breast lift done at the same time) has an early revision rate (need to revise the surgery) of approximately 8% in one study. 

Potential Complications of a Breast Lift

• Wound separation/dehiscence
• Partial or total nipple loss
• Need for further surgery (Revision)
• Undesirable/unattractive scarring
• Inadequate ptosis correction (correction of sagging of the breasts) and recurrent ptosis
• Breast asymmetry and malposition of the nipple
• Loss of nipple sensibility
• Infection

Even though a simultaneous breast augmentation/breast lift procedure is an elective operation, this procedure carries a risk that is higher than a simple breast augmentation.  Moreover, the risk and type of complications may vary based on the type of mastopexy technique used and performed concurrently with the breast augmentation.  Being aware and informed about these potential complications are critical before undergoing this kind of procedure.  Your plastic surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for a simultaneous breast augmentation/mastopexy since not everyone is a candidate to have these procedures done at the same time.

Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D.
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Reference:
Atlanta Breast Symposium 2011
Rancati, et al. Simultaneous augmentation and periareolar mastopexy: selecting the correct implant. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2010 Feb;34(1):33-9;
Spear et al. Augmentation/Mastopexy: A 3-Year Review of a Single Surgeon’s Practice.  Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 118 (Suppl.): 136S, 2006
Spear, Scott. Augmentation/Mastopexy: Surgeon Beware. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 118 (Suppl.): 136S, 2006

Date updated: 2/10/2011