I finally had a Breast lift and Breast augmentation this Jan. I have 2 kids, 34, 5'7", 160lbs, 38C prior to surgery. I had 550cc Mentor round, moderate profile silicone implants. I feel that they are already sagging and I am unhappy with the lack of roundness on the top and lack of cleavage, and dispoportionate nipples. I don't care if they look natural I want them to look perfect in a bathing suit. What are my options?
Already Sagging After Breast Lift and Silicone Implants
Doctor Answers 43
It seems that your implants have bottomed out and there is significant asymmetry in the size an location of your nipples. I would encourage you to wait at least 6 months from your original surgery to allow things to settle. Then I would do a revision mastopexy to make the nipple areolar complex the same size and location. I would bet you have silicone gel implants that are smooth walled which allows them to move down the chest wall. In my experience I have found replacing these with silicone gel implants that are textured and using a drain until the pocket closes down on the implants can help maintain the higher fuller position which you are seeking.
Thank you for your question. I agree with others that your result is not different from many people who have had a combination breast lift and implants.
It is too early to make a decision about revision. However if you want more upper pole fullness some form of revision will be necessary. Wait until you're 6 months postop for full healing before making a decision. Your 550 cc breast implants should be large enough and adequate to give you upper pole fullness. Most likely at 6 months a revision to remove more skin from the bottom portion of your breast to lift the implants will be required. Please discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
It is too early to make a decision about revision. However if you want more upper pole fullness some form of revision will be necessary. Wait until you're 6 months postop for full healing before making a decision. Your 550 cc breast implants should be large enough and adequate to give you upper pole fullness. Most likely at 6 months a revision to remove more skin from the bottom portion of your breast to lift the implants will be required. Please discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
Learn more: http://www.realself.com/question/Benelli-breast-lift-implants-pseudo-ptosis#1251906
Combined breast augmentation/lifting can be tricky, and having a more "natural" or lower than hoped-for appearance of the breast tissue is not uncommon. It is often difficult to provide or maintain enough fullness in the upper pole of the breast to please the patient that desires an "augmented" appearance. in many cases, the use of a larger implant further strains the tissue and causes sagging. The options include performing a revision mastopexy to tighten the tissues through the same incisions, and considering an implant exchange for a smaller or possibly a textured implant at the same time.
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A breast lift and implant placement are two procedures that essentially fight each other.
The breast implant is used to make the breast larger and stretches the skin. The breast lift procedures is used to reshape the breasts by taking skin out and tightening the tissue. Because of these procedures really trying to accomplish opposite things long terms results for patients can be disappointing.
A textured breast implant (more some manufacturers than others) can often adhere to the surrounding tissue and breast pocket and stay in position longer. This implant combined with a breast lift can be a powerful combination for longer term results.
The breast implant is used to make the breast larger and stretches the skin. The breast lift procedures is used to reshape the breasts by taking skin out and tightening the tissue. Because of these procedures really trying to accomplish opposite things long terms results for patients can be disappointing.
A textured breast implant (more some manufacturers than others) can often adhere to the surrounding tissue and breast pocket and stay in position longer. This implant combined with a breast lift can be a powerful combination for longer term results.
Learn more: http://www.annarborplasticsurgery.com/photogallery/case_details.php?caseId=115&sub_case_id=38&main_cat_id=23
Breast lift performed in combination with breast augmentation is one of the more difficult procedures performed in plastic surgery. When these procedures are performed in combination a large number of variables exist that make this procedure complicated. For these reasons, many surgeons won’t perform these operations together. When they are performed together surgeons realize that secondary procedures will often be necessary.
Your pictures indicate a reasonable result for this type of procedure; however several areas of concern are noted. There is obvious asymmetry, with the right breast and areola being larger than the opposite side. This will eventually require a larger implant on the left side with reduction of the right areola. This type of revision should not be undertaken for at least six months.
Some of your post-operative concerns can’t be addressed with revisional surgery. For instance, recurrent sag and loss of upper breast fullness are related to the biologic behavior of your tissue and size of your breast implants. Using a larger implant might help in the short term, but would make the problem worse over time. Another example is cleavage. This is determined by the position of the areola, which can’t be easily manipulated.
It’s important to have realistic expectations. It’s fair to say that asymmetry can be corrected and scars can be revised. Changes in the breasts resulting from biologic wound healing tendencies and gravity aren’t easily changed. It’s important that you discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon so an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated to optimize your result.
Since you stated the surgery was in Jan., I assume of 2009.
After 6 months of healing I would revise the inverted T incision, by removing more in the vertical dimension. This should elevate the breast more giving a fuller upper pole effect.
Other choices are a 600 to 700 cc implant (I feel a poor alternative but it is still an option).
Regards
Inherently, breast ptosis requiring a lift indicates difficulty of your body's tissues in resisting the effects of gravity and stretching. An implant adds weight to the breast and increases the stress on your skin. Despite this adversity, a breast lift with implants may improve the appearance of your breasts and techniques that recruit more breast tissue to assist in the support of your implant may yield better results. However, some people's tissue are unable to provide adequate support alone and may require exogenous implants, such as Strattice or Seri to augment their tissue strength. Regardless of what surgical technique is undertaken, it is important to wear supportive bras to resist the effects of gravity. The more you support your breasts with a good bra, the less work your body will have to do on its own.
No breast lift result is perfect. I do see your asymmetries and irregularities of the nipple areola complex. Fullness in the upper pole usually means a bigger implant with the lift, but it never stays up as high as I think some patients expect. And I have to say "natural" breasts do not stay that high either unless a bra is puschng them up.
Your best option is patience and allow proper healing to fully take place. One way to obtain upper pole fullness is to use a larger implant
Learn more: https://www.pssnj.com/services/breast/breast-lift/
Hello! Thank you for your question! The mastopexy (breast lift) procedure raises the breast, which ultimately provides a more
youthful and perky breasts. This is done by
removing the extra loose skin and rearranging the surrounding breast
tissue in order to reshape and support the newly formed breast. At
the same time, the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is raised to the ideal position above the fold beneath your breast (the
inframammary fold) as well as being placed at the most projecting portion. Oftentimes with age or following pregnancy, the NAC
becomes widened and enlarged. This may be reduced in size during the
breast lift procedure.
It is common for the breast to lose its firmness and uplifted appearance over time, which is also accentuated with age, pregnancy/breast feeding, weight gain/loss, and gravity. This results in breast ptosis, or sagging of the breast, with a “deflated” appearance. Women seek the mastopexy procedure to regain the previous youthful appearance of her breasts and women report increased confidence, self-esteem, and femininity once achieving this desired shape and fullness. Breast lifts may or may not be performed with implants – the implant would add increased size but also greater fullness in the upper pole of the breasts which creates more cleavage.
I would discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Increased size of the implants as well as laxity of the native skin do cause increased stretching inferiorly. Revisions certainly may be considered - allow your surgeon to examine and evaluate you and then go over which procedure(s), if any, will be the right one for you. Best wishes for a terrific result!
It is common for the breast to lose its firmness and uplifted appearance over time, which is also accentuated with age, pregnancy/breast feeding, weight gain/loss, and gravity. This results in breast ptosis, or sagging of the breast, with a “deflated” appearance. Women seek the mastopexy procedure to regain the previous youthful appearance of her breasts and women report increased confidence, self-esteem, and femininity once achieving this desired shape and fullness. Breast lifts may or may not be performed with implants – the implant would add increased size but also greater fullness in the upper pole of the breasts which creates more cleavage.
I would discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Increased size of the implants as well as laxity of the native skin do cause increased stretching inferiorly. Revisions certainly may be considered - allow your surgeon to examine and evaluate you and then go over which procedure(s), if any, will be the right one for you. Best wishes for a terrific result!
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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