Breast Lift: Q&A

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What Are the Risks of Getting Implants at the Same Time As the Lift?

I am planning a lift and tummy tuck on the same date and want to have implants done at the same time. My surgeon advised me that he would not be able to put the implants in until after the lift has healed. What are the risks if I change surgeons and get the implants done during the lift?

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by MandyG in Wildwood, FL

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Lift plus implants--is this really a higher risk as combined operation?

As you can see from the other answers here, some surgeons prefer to do the lift first and then do a separate operation later for augmentation. This approach has the best likelihood of a good overall result, since any "adjustments" or surgical touch-ups can be done as part of the second operation. Since risks and complications exist with every operation (though truthfully, they are quite low overall), whatever that risk is (let's say 1 in 1000) is DOUBLED with 2 operations (now... more

What Are the Risks of Getting Implants at the Same Time As the Lift?

It is obvious you want a large implant. So it is very hard to do a full lift and have a large implant placed. Discuss in detail with your surgeon to fully understand the effect of healing on the breast scar.

Breast Lift with Implants

Plastic Surgeons arel clearly divided on whether doing breast lift and augmentation in one or two stages. All would agree that the risks are somewhat higher with a single stage procedure, but disagree as to how much higher. If executed properly, the risk profile of combining the two is, in my opinion, acceptable. There is also the issue of having two "moving parts" (implant and breast tissue) and getting everything to end up exactly where you want it because both the breast and the... more

Risk Of Combining Augmentation & Breast Lift

There is always some increase in risk simply by the additional time required in performing multiple simultaneous surgeries. Some plastic surgeons feel that there are added risks in performing a breast lift at the time of an augmentation and insist of staging these two procedures. Other plastic surgeons are willing to perform the procedures at the same setting. If you feel strongly about having everything done at the same time, obtain a second opinion, but remember that... more

Breast implants combine well with breast lift

For some surgeons the idea of combining breast implants with a breast lift can be unsettling, however we find that few enjoy the lift as well without the fill in the upper breast that the implant will provide. We have little difficulty in adding a breast implant at the time of breast lift, and have not suffered any complications from doing so. You may need another opinion if your surgeon is unwilling and you wish to avoid an additional procedure. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

breat augmentation and lift at the same time

The moment I saw this question I knew there would be a lot of answers and they would be 50-50. If you get several opinions in your neighborhood I'm sure it will be the same thing. As you can see, the more conservative approach is to do the operations separately. I see a significant number of patients who are marginal for augmentation alone and have been told by several people they need a lift at the same time. Most patients of course would like to avoid the extra scars and expense.... more

Your surgeon is correct

The combination of the lift and implant is a high risk procedure. The revision rate for the breast augmentation with implant is more than 40%. The complications include nipple loss, nipple asymmetry, implant bottoming out, breast sagging off implant, breast asymmetry and infection. I would recommend staged procedure and you should not change your surgeon.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift is best done together with implants.

Hi. I think it is safe to say that the vast majority of plastic surgeons who do a lot of cosmetic surgery of the breast do breast lifts and breast implants at the same time. This saves you an additional operation and in fact produces better results than doing it in two stages. There are only a very few exceptions to this rule. It is true that combing breast lift and breast augmentation can increase the risk, but this is just a matter of experience and good technique and... more

Breast Augmentation with a Lift in one Procedure

There are pros and cons involved in performing a breast augmentation with a lift as one or two procedures, and plastic surgeons are in general divided on this. I think the bottom line is that certain patients can do fine with both the augmentation and the lift performed as one procedure, while others really need two procedures to get the best result. Similarly, some surgeons have better results with two procedures versus one, and there is no one absolutely right way to perform... more

Doing breast implants and a breast lift at separate times

The main reason to perform a breast augmentation and a breast lift separately is that the complication rate is much lower if both procedures are done separately. The blood supply to the skin and nipple is much more robust if done separately. The shape and contour is typically better if you can stage the procedures (do separately). The surgeries should be spaced out by about 4-6 months. Although almost all patients want to have the procedures done simultaneously, this is not always the best... more

Lifts and implants

When you think about it, lifts and implants are actually working against each other. The lift is tightening the breast and the implant is stretching out the breast. Without a doubt the complication rate (skin necrosis/loss, nipple malposition, etc.) and revision rate is much higher than if they are done separately. The main reason the two surgeries are done together is patient driven: nobody wants two surgeries! My personal preference is to put the implant in first and do the lift later to... more

Marcel Daniels, MD

11 reviews

Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy with implants

Whether implants can be done at same time as mastopexy (Breast lift) or need to be done at a second stage is an individual decision, based on each patient's unique situation. It depends on extent of lift needed and size of implant desired. You need to trust your surgeon to give you right option that is safe for you.

Implants at same time as lift

Good question. Surgeons are divided as to whether they will put implants in at the same time as a breast lift. The problem is that the lift will tighten the skin and there is a risk of wound healing problems due to the tightness of the skin. If there is an implant in and the skin does not heal well, then the implant may become exposed and need to be removed. I do personally do both at the same time but I discuss these risks with my patients. I would say that if... more

Breast Augmentation Mastopexy Staged?

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

Risks of breast augmentation and a lift.

The concern with breast augmentation and breast lifting during the same procedure is due to competing goals of surgery. A breast augmentation increase the volume of the breast, puts some strain on the skin and blood supply, and fills out the skin. A breast lift moves the nipple and tightens the skin envelope to create a more shapely breast. When combined (known as an augmentation mastopexy), the increase in breast size with the augmentation can compromise the blood supply to the repositioned... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Lift and augmentation

Without an exam it is difficult to say what you would need. But I often do both the lift and augmentation at the same time. Some like to stage it because they feel they have more control that way.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Combined Aug masto

Hello, When breast augmentation and mastopexy is performed at the same time the complexity of the case is increased. There is a difference in opinion among plastic surgeons about which is best. I have performed all of the augmentations and mastopexies at the same time. Yes, they do require more planning and the chance of complications is increased but when perfored properly the combination of procedures are safe and effective. My best advice is to have the plastic... more

Breast implants and lift done at the same time

I'm curious to know if you actually desire larger breasts or would be happy with simply restoring your breasts to how the were when you were younger (perky and full). I only inquire because with current 'lifting' techniques, it is almost always suggested to add implants to achieve cleavage. If you are looking to become significantly larger...performing a breast augmentation with a crescent lift simultaneously works... more