Breast Augmentation a year post-Breast Lift?

I had a Breast Lift over a year ago while my husband was in Iraq, and was told I won't need a Breast Augmentation. I was a 36DD and am now a 36D, and I was told I had enough fullness.

Now, a year later, I am not happy because I am flat on the top part of my breasts and still have to adjust them in my bra often throughout the day. My doctor says now I will need an augmentation. Is this normal, and do I really need it? Why is it fair that I should have to pay for the full surgery now when I asked a year ago, and was told I won't need it? My husband and I are upset about me not being happy. We have spent a lot of money, I have tons of scars, and I'm feeling uncomfortable.

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11 answers to “Breast Augmentation a year...”

A: "High & Tight" Breast in perpetuity

By Lavinia Chong, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Most of us have distinct opinions on how a breast should look. My generation has been thoroughly brainwashed by the media but, Gravity and Age conspire to thwart the best made plans. The augmentation-lift is probably one of the most difficult procedures in cosmetic breast surgery because there are so... more

A: Two stages may give you a better result.

By Sutton Graham II, MD - Greenville Plastic Surgeon

You may come out ahead in terms of best breast shape. By having a breast lift first and healing completely you achieve the best tightness. If your surgeon had added an implant at the first operation, he or she would have had to leave some slack to allow space for the implant. You probably... more

A: Lack of upper pole fullness following a breast lift is not totally uncommon

By Jeffrey Zwiren, MD - Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

The key to a successful breast lift is the quality of the skin. The final result will only be as good as the remaining elasticity of your existing skin. The plastic surgeon cannot alter the quality of the material that you bring to the operating room table. That being said, it is important to have a... more

A: Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation or Both: Decisions in Breast Surgery

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

The following question will help clarify whether you need a breast lift vs a breast augmentation and lift. Do you want to look better in the nude or in clothes? If you want to look better in clothes, a breast lift will generally not provide any benefit. A breast lift will reposition the nipple-areola... more

A: Talk to your surgeon

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You should definitely relay your concerns with your surgeon, but don't be too angry with him. While it is difficult to know your exact situation without having seen you preop, I think it is certainly reasonable to assume that if you started as a DD, you would have had enough volume after a lift only and not... more

A: Communication is always important

By Stephen A. Goldstein, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

Hello, When a patient naturally has a significant amount of breast volume (i.e. a "DD"), a breast lift can often be successfully performed WITHOUT an implant. This seems to be what your surgeon had in mind when he suggested the mastopexy without an implant. I agree with the other surgeons... more

A: Discuss with your doctor

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Doctors do not want unhappy patients. If there was a communication problem, than this has to be addressed. Speak to the doctor so you can be reassured about the next step.

A: Need Better Communication

By Armando Soto, MD - Orlando Plastic Surgeon

I'm really sorry you're not happy- unhappy patients reflect poorly on our entire profession... It sounds like communication before your surgery wasn't as good as it might have been- It has been my experience that no matter how large a breast a patient has, in order to achieve a full, round appearance at the... more

A: Your doctor wants a happy patient. Talk to him or her.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To jbunny, What I would do in this situation is charge you for the expenses (operating room, implants, anesthesia) but not charge you a surgical fee.

A: Yes you do need an implant but don't be angry at your doctor

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

When a patient has "DD" volume preop and needs a lift, they can often be happy with the result without an implant. On some occasions, the upper pole needs more volume and this comes from an implant. Sometimes you know this preop and sometimes you can't tell. The second operation is just a straightforward... more

More answers to Breast Augmentation a year post-Breast Lift?
New York City - Breast lift and augmentation are commonly done as a staged...

Comments

Karen Ringuette
unregistered guest

13 Apr 2009

Post breast-lift: It is interesting to read hat 'breasts' bottoming out after a year is not uncommon (Dr Zwiren). I read a great deal about breast lifts before having one by a respected surgeon in the UK. I had consultations, was given information booklets, etc., but do not recall hearing or reading that it was 'not uncommon' for breasts to bottom out after a breast lift. I would not have paid 13,000 Swiss francs if I had known that this was a good possibility, for that is what is happening to my breast 8 months after the operation. At first the shape was amazing, with a firm 34 C cup, but now my breasts are slowly sinking, every month, lower and lower. Add the scars to that and it is not very satisfying.

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