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Confused - Does "Staging" Mean Separate Operations? (photo)

26 yr old anchor BL & sub-glandular BA. Want 2nd BL w/ rpl. implants (smaller & sub-muscular). Done in same operation, which should come 1st & why? If done in 2 which should come first & why? Should I find a ps who prefers to do them at different times & "could" that mean ps isn't skilled enough for both at once? How can I be sure either way? Having TT too, but BL & BA causing anxiety and fear of outcome & finding "right" ps for me. Was not happy with the 1st outcome shape, nor size. Thanks!

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by camie

Doctor Answers (18)
Community Comments (0)

Staging Implant and Lift

Staging suggests performing 2 or more surgeries to achieve a result. I perform breast lift and augmentation with tummy tuck frequently, and this is appropriate for certain patients. Kenneth Hughes, MD breast augmentation Los Angeles, CA

Staging breast surgery and tummy tuck

Staging means separate operations. However, from your photographs you need your implants removed and if desired new implants placed (smaller). However, more important you need your breasts lifted. You are a candidate for a new technique called The Ultimate Breast Lift. Using a circumareola and inframammary incision it is possible to lift your breast tissue higher on the chest wall and transfer the weight of the breast to the underlying muscle. This will increase... more

Revision Breast Lift / Mastopexy with breast augmentation

As I understand from your question, you have already had a subglandular breast augmentation with a breast lift / mastopexy and are seeking to have a more youthful appearance than was achieved during the first procedure. Depending upon how much soft tissue that you have over the implant then switching to a submuscular position may not offer any real advantage. You need to have a revision of the mastopexy so that the distance from the notch above your sternum to the nipple is... more

A breast lift revision & augmentation can/should be combined into a single operation

As others MDs have noted, staging does mean two separate operations. Based on your photos and assuming that you're healthy enough to undergo sedation/surgery (e.g. don't smoke, BMI below 30, etc), there should be any need to stage your breast lift, implant replacement and/or tummy tuck. Doing so not only increases costs (2x anesthesiologist fee, facility fee, etc) but also means 2 separate recovery periods. Combining your implant replacement & mastopexy also... more

Staging of operations

Staging an operation means to have more than one operation to eventually meet your goal. This is done for a variety of issues. Different surgeons will approach a problem differently. It is not a matter of who is "right". It is more of what that surgeon's experience and training is telling him/her to do in your individual case.

Staging

Yes staging means having the two operations breast augmentation and breast lift at two different times. This is sometimes performed when outcomes are not predictable.

Staging Breast Implants and lift

Yes, staging means doing a procedure as more than one surgery on different days. It is one way to control the final outcome when there are things which may not be predictable.I personally perform breast implants together with lift. There are surgeons who prefer to do them as separate operation to see how much sagging you will get after the lift. The implant adds to the risk for sagging by adding more weight.

Confused - Does "Staging" Mean Separate Operations? (photo)

Your personal situation is to much involved to discuss via the internet and especially without an in person examination. But to respond to the exact question. STAGING means separate operations.

For a redo breast lift, the vertical technique is most effective.

Your concerns are justified. First of all, the anchor lift is not the best in terms of either breast shape or scarring (or safety for that matter). Looking at your photos, I agree that you still have substantial sagging. The good news is that your scars heal nicely. I would perform a vertical lift. This will also make your breasts smaller (and shorten your horizontal anchor scar). You might be able to keep your original implants. There is no need for... more

Breast Augmentation/Lifting in Single or Two Stages?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Whether the breast lift and augmentation should be done at the same time is not a question agreed-upon by all plastic surgeons. There are good plastic surgeons who will insist on doing the procedures separately (staged) 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... more

Staging vs single operation

Staging means in more than one operation. I usually performe breast lift and augmentation in one operation. This saves the patient further facility fees and costs.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Staging Breast Augmentation and Lift

Dear Camie, Thank you for sharing your photos and for your questions. Simply, there is no right or wrong way to go about your surgery. The benefits for combining both in one surgery is that you do not have to be anesthetized twice and pay additional medical fees. Also, you will have to undergo the recovery process and possible pain once. The benefits for staging surgeries is that you allow your surgeon to plan the 2nd surgery based on the results of the 1st after complete... more

Hello

Both surgeries are definitely able to be done together, if the surgeon is doing it in a safe environment and using a certified Anesthesiologist It has a lot to do with how your surgeon feels. We use another Certified Plastic surgeon to assist me in surgery so we are able to move faster and get you out of anesthesia faster.

Staging

Staging does mean two operations.Many surgeons feel that doing a full anchor pattern lift and breast augmentation at the same time carries too much risk of knocking off too much blood supply to the tissues. But in the setting of a revision operation, the tissues have already accommodated to the changes in blood supply from placing the implant, so many who would not do this as a primary combined procedure would do this in a revision. I would not in any way assume that a surgeon who... more

Breast Augmentation with Lift- One or two steps?

This is a frequent question of RealSelf for a reason- there is more than one way to do this procedures. I prefer to do both at the same time (one surgery). When done properly, especially going submuscular when a lift is done at the same time, complications should be limited. That being said, some experienced surgeons prefer to stage the surgery.

Staging improves predictability, safety, and satisfaction.

Staging of a breast lift and augmentation is usually a sign of experience, not inexperience! Having had subglandular implants and a previous lift, revision surgery to improve shape and size can be frought with issues. Staging the lift and the implant allows for less trauma to the breast tissues while allowing the patient time to see results which may change their mind about their goals. When I do stage an revision augmentation mastopexy, I prefer to do the lift first. Often times patients... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

1 or 2 stages for breasts

I commonly do your described procedures in one stage, but there are others who will do it in 2 stages. The most important thing is to find a surgeon experienced in your procedures who you trust to do your surgery.

Donald Griffin, MD

7 reviews

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Staging breast lift and augmentation

There are no hard and fast rules for the order of the surgeries that you are contemplating. Some doctors will recommend that the surgery be done in stages and excellent results can be achieved with this approach. Most patients would prefer a single stage procedure for convenience, cost, and recovery concerns. In the single stage approach, the implants would be removed, new implants placed and then the lift performed. The best approach is to find a physician... more