Breast Lift Vs. Breast Lift & Augmentation. One Vs. Two Surgeries?

asked 1 year ago by Sandy1 in Arkansas
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 289 times
Tags: breasts, female

I am wanting to have a breast lift with augmentation done at the same time---one surgery. My doctor is wanting to do these procedures, but in two surgeries. He said it had to do with the tension on the cut sites. I am a 36B wanting to go to a 36C. Will it make a difference--one surgery vs. two? Thanks, Sandy

10 answers to Breast Lift Vs. Breast Lift & Augmentation. One Vs. Two Surgeries?

One Stage or Two Stage Breast Augmentation/Mastopexy?

Thanks for the question. This is not a question agreed-upon by all plastic surgeons. There are good plastic surgeons who will insist on doing the procedures separately and there are good plastic surgeons who can produce excellent outcomes in a single stage. The combination breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery alone in that it carries increased risk compared to either breast augmentation or mastopexy surgery performed separately... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and lift

I usually perform a breast augmentationa dn a breast lift in the same operation. They certainly can be staged if the patient/surgeon are not comfortable.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation mastopexy - one stage or two??

For the most part, I do these in one stage especially if all the lifting needed is a periareolar one. If the breasts are droopier and need a full lift, I still do it in one stage generally unless the patient wants too big an implant to fit safely at the time of the lift or if there are any other reasons I am concerned about the conflict between lifting (TIGHTENING) the breast and augmenting (STRETCHING) it.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift & Augmentation

To perk up a drooping breast, your surgeon will remove excess skin, reposition the nipple, and redrape and tighten the remaining skin to support the breast. The areola may also be reduced in size. A mastopexy (breast lift) raises droopy breasts from one to several inches and excess skin is removed. If you're sagging or asymmetrical, and are looking for perkiness, you'll need a lift--or, if you also want more volume, a lift and implants. A breast lift raises droopy breasts... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and breast lift (mastopexy)

There are a number of good reasons to do a breast augmentation separately from a breast lift procedure and it isn't just being surgically conservative. Breast augmentation and breast lift are two different operations that do different things and have different risks and issues to get done and healed correctly while operating on the same breast. The two procedures tend to work against each other, both may not be needed (or another way of looking at it is that it's harder to... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and implants: one or two surgeries

Your surgeon is being conservative and there is nothing wrong with that. Generally this is classic teaching. However, most patients request one procedure due to down time for two procedures. In general the revision rate may be higher for one operation but most patients are pleased with the outcome. IF an agressive lift and large implants are being placed at the same time, then it may be preferable to perform two procedures to avoid excessive tension on the incisions. more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

This is a controversial topic

Ask 3 doctors, you will get 4 opinions. The answer you will have to ponder, is your doctor's opinion. Some plastic surgeons do not feel comfortable doing both procedures together, others do. Also even those who like to do the 2 together will sometimes want to stage the procedures ( do two surgeries). So, if you trust your physician, and they have answered all of your questions go for it -- if not, get a second opinion.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with augmentation

Doing the procedure will always be more accurate and safer when done in two stages. But this does not mean than one can't do it in one stage in a safe and accurate manner. The more the breast shaper and volume is changed, the more variation in end result so even if you do it in one stage, you should leave yourself open to the possibility of a need of a minor touch. If planned carefully, the lift and augmentation can be performed together safely in most usual circumstances. more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

It is safer to do it in two stages

Most patients want to have augmentation and lift at the same time because of the cost, recovery and anesthesia. The logic behind the two stage is ,the implants will inflate and stretch your breast and lift will tighten and gather the breast tissue. These two procedures counter act each other. The tension on the incision line,the blood flow to the nipple and also nipple position, all make the combined procedure more risky. The only exception is when patient need only nipple... more

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift & Augmentation at the same time

Breast lift and augmentation are easy to do at the same time. The problem is achieving a truly cosmetic result. To do this at a single surgery, the surgeon must pre-plan the amount of augmentation properly, do the augmentation first, and then sit you up on the operating table to adjust the preoperative markings once the implants are in place. Many surgeons are either uncomfortable with this or unwilling to take the extra time and effort required. The advantage of this is one recovery and... more