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Visible Demarcation with Breast Lift and Implants?

If a breast lift is done in addition to a breast implant, will there be a visibile demarcation between natural breast and implant?

Asked 32 months ago by newstart in Miami, Fl.

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breasts

Breast Lift and Augmentation Results?

Thank you for the question. Depending on the technique used, positioning of breast implant, size of breast implant, and the amount of native breast tissue present, therershould not necessarily be a “visible demarcation” between the breast tissue and implant. I would suggest careful selection of your plastic surgeon; make sure he/she is well experienced and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Make sure you also see lots of examples of his/her... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Blending a breast lift with an augmentation

It is important to select a board-certified plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience in breast lift and breast augmentation surgery. This combination of surgeries can be tricky and you require a plastic surgeon that is experienced in doing these both together. In fact, there are some surgeons they'll only do these one at a time. When performing this combination surgery the challenge is to use an implant to add volume and improve the round shape of the breast cancer... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Usually no visible demarcation between breast tissue and implant

Hello, The timing of breast lift surgery and breast implantation is controversial. Some surgeons prefer to do these operations at different times and others commonly do them at the same time. There is usually not a visible demarcation between implant and breast tissue unless there is very little breast tissue and/or the implants are placed in the "over the muscle" position.

John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

A visible demarcation in the breast would be a bad complication.

Hi! In Manhattan, we frequently combine breast augmentation with breast lift surgery. It is all about good technique. If the operation is done correctly, a visible demarcation should be very rare.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast aug and lift

Usually this operation works well for women with breast ptosis who also want more volume. If you have enough breast tissue to start with, then more than likely you will not appreciate a "demarcation line" between the implant and the native breast.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

This is not usually a problem

When done properly, a combined breast augmentation/mastopexy is an excellent procedure that can produce very nice, safe results. It's important for the patient to pick the right surgeon to perform this procedure, and for us as surgeons to select patients that will have a high chance at a successful result. Ask your surgeon lots of questions as this procedure is done differently by different surgeons. Carefully lay out your goals for he procedure and make sure your surgeon is on board... more

Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

I don't feel that the combined procedure makes the demarcation more visible

Visible demarcation after breast augmentation is likely due to many factors, many have already been mentioned in the answers given. However, it is unlikely due to the combination of a lift at the same time as an augmentation. A lift essentially tightens the skin envelope and raises the nipple. It should not play a large lose in implant visibility. There are many surgeons that feel a combined lift and augmentation is not a wise procedure. The reason is this: an augmentation is to enhance the... more

Sirish Maddali, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

I do not recommend lift and implant at the same time

There is a high risk of complication when lift and implants done at the same time. If need lift and volume you are better off doing it in stages. The separation of the breast tissue from implant is common and this is because of the breast tissue sagging. There are published articles regarding the high risk of the combined procedure . You can google the complication risk for this procedure.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

We try not to see this

It does depend on the amount of tissue you have naturally to cover the implant and if it is going to be placed partially under the muscle. It sounds as though you have not had your surgery yet. I would encourage you to review this concern with your plastic surgeon. They should be able to specifically address your area of concern. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Visability of breast implants and natural breast

This all depends on several different variables. If the implant is placed under the muscle, then visability will be at a minimum. The size of the implant will also matter as the larger the implant the more likely that it will be visable. I would recommend bringing in pictures of breasts that you like from magazines and showing them to your plastic surgeon. This way, you will both have a sense of what you want! Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

The goal is a naturally appearing breast

If you choose to have breast implants at the same time as a breast lift, the goal is to have naturally appearing and feeling breasts. The implants are used to add lost volume and are typically placed under the muscle. This adds an extra layer of tissue above the implants. I would caution you not to demand short scars for a surgery like this. Let the surgeon make the scars that are necessary to shape the implant appropriately. Once everything is healed, you should be very happy. ... more

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It is a problem when the implants are place under the muscle

Over the years I have found that when a breast lift is done with an augmentation with a breast implant it is common for there to be a demarcation of the separation of the breast itself from the implant when the implant is placed under the muscle if there is a reasonable amount of breast tissue present. It seems that the implant under the muscle is held up well on the chest wall and the breast tissue descends down as all breast do in time. This creates a separation of the natural breast and... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast/Implant mismatch

This is a very good question. I am assuming that you mean a demarcation where there is a contour change between the overlying breast tissue margin and the underlying implant edge. This can occur even without a simultaneous lift. Usually it is located inferiorly when the implant settles or is positioned too low especially when the inframammary fold is lowered, or laterally when the implants starts to drift or displace off the chest. When a breast lift is performed, depending on the technique,... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Not usually

Demarcation between the implant and the surrounding breast tissue is most commonly noticed in very thin women. Having the implant under the muscle for these cases will soften the demarcation and make the transition more natural. I find that demarcation is not a big problem in the vast majority of women. Bring your concerns to your consultation and get the answers you need prior to surgery.

Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Not usually an issue

If the implants are under the muscle and are a reasonable size for you and if you have a normal amount of tissue thickness, this isn't ever an issue in my experience. Make sure to go to an excellent plastic surgeon because the lift is really a sculpting operation and is very different in different hands.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Visible demarcation depends on implant type and availability of breast tissue

The visibility of a breast implant depends on two major factors: the type of implant and the amount of overlying breast tissue. A patient with little breast tissue would benefit from placing a gel implant under the muscle. This will give them more tissues to cover the implant. Patients with more breast tissue can have implants placed on top of the muscle. In general, gel implants will give a more natural look and a better implant/ breast interface. Hope that helps!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Visibility of the breast implant depends on several factors

Visibility or demarcation of the breast tissue and implant interface is a function of the proportion of natural breast tissue to implant volume as well as the difference between the base diameters of the breast and the implant. It is important to try to keep the implant within the limits of the natural breast tissue to minimize this appearance.