Breast lift and implants (breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty) is a common procedure for women with breast ptosis to lift and enhance the breasts. Plastic surgeon in Brisbane, Dr. Phil Richardson performs hundreds of these combined procedures every year, and the number of patients seeking this surgery is growing. The growth in this particular surgery can be attributed to the rising average age of breast patients combined with growing acceptance of breast implants and cosmetic surgery. Older patients are more likely to require a breast lift mastopexy, and more so than ever patients are wanting fuller breast volume that can often be provided by breast augmentation mammoplasty with either implants or fat transfer.
This blog posts aims to cover the basics of breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty. We’ll talk about who is a suitable candidate for the surgery, how the surgery works, what recovery is like, and the long-term outlook for patients. If you’re considering having a combined breast surgery with a plastic surgeon in Brisbane, this is a must-read!
Why do patients want a breast lift and implants (breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty)?
Understanding whether you are a suitable candidate for breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty surgery is a logical first step. So who is this procedure for? It is designed to remove excess skin to lift the breast, and place an implant within the newly made pocket to create volume and shape. Patients who require a breast lift (mastopexy) are those with a certain level of breast laxity or ptosis. This refers to when breasts sit low on the chest and the nipple and areola are out of position relative to the crease of the breasts.
Breast ptosis can be classified across a number of grades that can help understand the type and severity of ptosis. The following image summarises the various types of ptosis a patient may present with:
Breast ptosis can be genetic, hormone-related age-related, or may develop during puberty. Weight fluctuations including weight gain and loss can also result in breast ptosis due to volume loss or excess tissue.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding often cause breast ptosis in women. There are so many factors that can contribute to breast ptosis, and many reasons a woman may desire a breast mastopexy. This being said, not all women who are concerned about laxity will need a mastopexy. Sometimes the problem is more subtle and can be addressed with breast augmentation mammoplasty. So, how does a patient determine whether they need mastopexy surgery or not?
Personal cosmetic desires
Observing your breasts is one way to tell if you may benefit from a breast mastopexy. If you look at your breasts and feel dissatisfied with their position on your chest, it may be a sign that you could be a candidate for surgery. Since the procedure is generally cosmetic in nature (meaning, done for aesthetic reasons) only you can ultimately decide if the surgery is something you wish to pursue.
Photo assessments
Plastic surgeons in Brisbane such as Dr. Phil Richardson provide complimentary photo assessments for patients. The photo assessment is a chance for the doctor to recommend an appropriate procedure for you. This takes some of the guesswork out of planning for surgery. Many patients require months if not years of planning and saving to make surgery happen. For this reason, photo assessments are an important way for patients to find out what to expect and rough pricing. To organise a complimentary photo assessment with the doctor, contact us today.
In some cases, your plastic surgeon may state that you are a “borderline” patient. This means that depending on your aesthetic goals, you might be happy with just a breast augmentation mammoplasty, without mastopexy (breast lift). We’ve written a blog post all about how to make decisions if you’ve been told you are a borderline mastopexy patient. Click here to read about it.
How does the breast lift mastopexy and augmentation mammoplasty surgery work?
Breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty is generally performed as a day procedure and is always performed under general anaesthetic. The procedure involves the excision of skin to minimise laxity and reposition the nipples. A breast implant is inserted to fill out the breast in the upper-pole and create overall volume. There are a number of incisional techniques that a patient may have including the crescent lift, donut lift, and lollipop lift, which we discuss in this blog post. Dr. Richardson almost always uses the anchor technique which involves an incision around the nipple, down to the fold, and along the inframammary fold. The reason for using this incision is that it provides the greatest level of control of shape and size.
During the breast augmentation mammoplasty portion of the procedure, Dr. Richardson uses Motiva Implants. Motiva Implants have over 500 varieties of shape, size, and profile. As such, there is a breast implant to suit every patient. Dr. Richardson has been using these implants for almost 5 years now. He is experienced when it comes to matching patient goals with the right implant size, shape, and profile for them. You can find out more about Motiva Implants here.
The surgery takes around 2 hours in total, and patients discharge a few hours after the operation. If you’re interested in seeing actual footage of a breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty procedure you can head over to Dr. Richardson Instagram page and check out the story highlights for our surgical filming!
What is a two-stage breast mastopexy and augmentation mammoplasty?
In some cases, a two-stage surgery is recommended to patients. This refers to a breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty being performed as two separate procedures. The first procedure is scheduled. The patient is monitored throughout recovery and usually waits 3-6 months before having a secondary surgery to complete the other half of the procedure. The rationale behind this approach is multifaceted and we have written a whole blog post on this topic which you can read about here.
Two stage procedures are most appropriate for borderline mastopexy patients, or those who are unsure about implants. They are also recommended for patients with poor skin quality that are at higher risk of breast ptosis returning post-operatively.
What is recovery like after breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty?
Recovery following this combined breast procedure is much the same as that for a standard breast augmentation mammoplasty. However, you should take a few extra precautions. Due to the more invasive nature of the procedure patients should take extra care not to exert themselves and ensure they are resting as much as possible in the first week. Remaining diligent with the course of antibiotics is especially important for patients who have had mastopexy surgery as they are at higher risk of infection.
Post-operative support for the breasts through the compression bra is incredibly important for mastopexy patients as they are naturally prone to breast ptosis. Keeping the breast supported as much as possible for the first 12 months after surgery will help to ensure a capsule forms around the implant to provide appropriate support. This support can prevent complications such as implant displacement. Patients should expect during recovery a loss of nipple sensation that is likely to return within 12 to 24 months after surgery. In rare cases, nipple sensitivity may not return.
Long-term results after breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty
In the long term, patients who have had a breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty should remain diligent with supportive garments. If a patient is going to the gym or doing general exercise, we recommend an extremely supportive sports bra. Wearing a supportive garment as much as possible gives patients the best chance of avoiding re-operation down the track due to aesthetic changes. Aside from support, routine breast ultrasounds are also a part of life after surgery. Annual or two-yearly checkups at the BRAS Clinic and routine breast implant ultrasounds should be conducted. These breast implant ultrasounds can help detect complications early on which can improve treatment options and prevent worsening of symptoms.
If you are considering breast mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty (lift with implants), we hope this blog post provided a foundation for understanding the procedure. There are a lot of things to consider as a patient and it can be a lot to process. This blog post aims to provide the basics that you must know before surgery to help you make informed decisions. If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon in Brisbane to perform your breast surgery we encourage you to contact Dr. Richardson’s rooms today to find out more about how he can help you achieve your aesthetic breast goals.