Breast Lift Options After 2 Surgeries?

Question

After nursing 2 kids, my breast were very low. 5 years ago I had 350cc implants put in. They are too big for my 5'3" 120lb frame. I went to another plastic surgeon and asked him if he could take out the implants, put in smaller ones and do a lift to make me a C cup. He said he could. He did not measure me and picked out 240cc saline implants. He did the surgery with a small moon shape lift on the upper half of my aereolas. They are the same size. Now he is saying he can't cut around them.

	update:
	He is saying that he can not do the cut because of blood supply to the nipple-- that the nipple will turn black and die. I want him to take out these current implants and replace them with the smallest possible (120cc) and do the lollipop lift he told me he was going to do originally. My second surgery is scheduled for TODAY at 1pm Eastern. Should I postpone the surgery and seek another opinion? He say he is double board certified plastic/reconstructive surgeon.

	I canceled my appt. Can I get my money back? I can't afford a revision w/out a refund.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Based on your description you would have benefited from an implant exchange for a smaller implant and a vertical (lollipop incision) lift.  Important information prior to your surgery would have been what type of an implant you had in (this tells your surgeon the dimensions of the implant) and what you want (how much smaller you want to be).

	I would not have been concerned about the nipple turning black and dying as it has been shown that the blood supply is robust and superficial.  A vertical lift after a breast augmentation does not compromise the blood supply, poor planning does.  The risk of something unpredictable happening that would compromise the blood supply is unlikely, unless you are a diabetic, smoker, and have very large breasts.

	 

	Sincerely,

	Martin Jugenburg, MD, FRCSC

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

My recommendation is to have a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon for a few reasons.

	1. It appears the surgeon did a crescent lift (mastopexy) and therefore it should be safe to perform a further lift safely in most cases

	2. From your description, you have lost confidence in your surgeon - this does not make for an optimal patient physician relationship.

	 

	Re: the refund issue - I would look over your paper work from your surgeon. I am sure it is covered. You can also ask to speak directly with your surgeon about this.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

If your breast tissue has been severely thinned out from a previous breast augmentation then your surgeon is correct. The operation should be done in two stages. Take the implants out then wait 4 - 6 months and do a mastopexy augment. No one likes doing it in two steps but better safe than sorry.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I do not do crescentic lifts. I usually do a circumareola lift to distribute the tension around the circle. As for what to do now because you are unhappy, it is hard to say without seeing you and performing an exam.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you are so concerned I would postpone the surgery and seek 2 or 3 other opinions fromstic surgeons board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and nothing less.  Hopefully you read this pre-op and not post-op as you are so concerned about tha areola.  Even if he did a cresent lift, which I haven't done in 20 years due to distortion of the areola you are still a candidate provided the lower pole is intact, for a lollipop or vertical lift.  I also prefer silicone when combined with a lift as the results are better in my hands due to less weight on the lower pole and less bottoming out.

	Good luck, Dr. Schuster in Boca Raton

Breast Lift Options After 2 Surgeries?

Answers (9)