Breast Lift with Implants Surgeons in Seattle, WA
A breast lift can be combined with breast implants for a complete breast rejuvenation. Patients that seek rejuvenation of the breast in the Seattle area are typically displeased with two features of their breasts: breast skin and nipple sagging and the lack of breast volume in the upper pole of the breast. Women notice these changes in breast appearance after significant weight-loss or after raising their children.
- Lack of breast volume
- Sagging nipple position
- Loose and thin breast skin
- Aging breast shape
Our board certified plastic surgeons frequently recommend a breast lift and implant combination procedure for the woman that desires both a lifted breast appearance and enhanced breast volume. The mastopexy-augmentation procedure combines breast augmentation with an implant and breast lift (mastopexy) in a single operation.
What can a breast lift and breast implant combination surgery achieve?
With a combined breast lift and augmentation, the goal of the mastopexy is to reposition the nipple and areola into a more favorable location and to remove excess skin and breast tissue to improve breast shaping. The breast augmentation improves upper pole fullness and imparts a rounder shape to the breast. There a several types of breast lifts that can be done in combination with a breast augmentation. For a patient with a mild amount of breast sagging, a peri-areolar breast lift can be done. For patients with a moderate amount of sagging, a vertical pattern breast lift is best. For patients with severe sagging, a breast reduction, combined with a breast lift and augmentation using an anchor pattern scar is often recommended. We have found through the years with hundreds of breast lift patients that it is often necessary to remove some sagging breast tissue at the time of a breast lift to optimize the cosmetic result. Our surgeons will discuss which type of breast lift will result in the best cosmetic breast outcome for you.
What type of breast implant is used for mastopexy and augmentation combination surgery?
For our Seattle area patients, our surgeons typically recommend a smooth, round silicone breast implant. Other types of implants can be used, but we have found that smooth round silicone implants yield good cosmetic results in our patients. The volume of the implant is carefully selected based on the patient's breast and chest dimensions. It is important to choose an implant that does not exert excessive tension on the lifted breast in order to maximize scar quality. Fat grafting or fat transfer injections to the breast can also enhance a breast lift procedure by adding volume to the cleavage area and upper pole of the breast.
What is post-op recovery after breast lift and implant surgery?
The recovery period from a mastopexy augmentation is about the same as with a standard breast augmentation. Individual results will vary, however most patients return to work, child-care and light exercise after about four days. We ask our patients to resume non-weight bearing exercise as soon as they feel ready to do so. Weight lifting, pull ups and other types of strenuous arm and chest exercise should be delayed for six weeks to allow the breast to heal.