Combining Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift for the Best Results

Breast augmentation and breast lifts are two of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in the country, (1) and when combined, they offer stunning, transformative results. Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to enhance the shape of the breasts and increase their volume with implants. A breast lift is a procedure that can address sagging breasts and malpositioned nipples by physically repositioning the breasts higher to achieve a more youthful contour. By combining these two procedures, patients can address more than one aesthetic concern during a single procedure.

Dr. Michael A. Howard is a board-certified plastic surgeon dedicated to providing the highest quality care in the Midwest. Since 2005, he has performed over 10,000 procedures, establishing himself as a leader known for his aesthetic and reconstructive breast and body procedures.

To schedule your personal consultation at our Lake Forest, Chicago, or Glenview offices, please contact us online or call (224) 271-4250.

About Combining Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift

A combination of breast augmentation and lift is a highly popular form of breast enhancement for women interested in improving the shape and appearance of the breasts while simultaneously addressing sagging tissue and/or improving the position of their nipples. Breast augmentation and lift, also referred to as augmentation mastopexy, is one of the most transformative procedures offered by our team. Dr. Howard enhances the appearance of the breasts with the use of implants and will adjust your treatment plan to help you achieve your specific aesthetic goals.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are a type of breast implant composed of a silicone shell with a sterile saltwater solution. These implants are usually filled with a saline solution after Dr. Howard places them into the breast pocket, but in some cases, he will fill them before placement. Saline implants are more likely to cause visible rippling in patients with thinner skin, but may be inserted with a shorter incision if placed empty. (2) If the implant happens to rupture or leak, each patient’s body can safely absorb the sterile solution before the implant shell is replaced.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are a silicone gel-filled implant that has a soft silicone shell that mimics natural breast tissue. Silicone implants are designed to create a more realistic-looking appearance when placed and are often preferred by women with thinner tissue, as rippling is less likely to occur. (2) Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone implant that is filled with a thicker, more viscous filling that can continuously retain its shape, even when the shell has been punctured. Gummy bear implants can improve the projection of the breasts for natural-looking results. Because of the viscosity of the filling, there is a lower chance of leaks or ruptures.

Benefits of Combining Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift

Combining breast augmentation with a breast lift offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Enhanced Breast Volume: Patients can achieve a fuller bust and more sculpted appearance through the use of breast implants.
  • Lifted Positioning: Lifting the breasts not only restores a more youthful-looking position on the chest but can also address issues such as sagging or drooping breasts.
  • Improved Symmetry: We can address volume differences between the breasts to balance your proportions and create a curvier appearance.
  • Increased Confidence: Many patients experience an improvement in their self-esteem after seeing their results, leading to a greater sense of confidence.
  • Customizable Results: Different types of implants and surgical techniques can be used to tailor each treatment to address individual needs.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: The results of breast augmentation and lift can last for years, with breast implants lasting up to a decade before needing to be replaced.
  • Optimizes Recovery: When combining procedures, patients will only need to experience one recovery period in comparison to if these treatments were to be performed separately.

To learn more about how combining a breast augmentation and lift can benefit you, please contact us online or call (224) 271-4250.

Suitable Candidates

Suitable candidates for breast augmentation and lift typically include women seeking to address sagging or drooping breasts in addition to enhancing their volume and shape. Patients interested in enhancing their breasts after a mastectomy can also benefit from this treatment. If you would like to improve the position, shape, and volume of the breasts, you are likely a good fit for this treatment.

All candidates interested in combining these procedures should be in good overall health, free from any underlying medical conditions that may impair healing. Realistic expectations should also be held regarding what this procedure can accomplish. Patients should also be nonsmokers or willing to quit until fully healed. Dr. Howard will determine each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

We ask that each patient attend a personal consultation at any one of our locations before undergoing treatment. This consultation is not only a chance for Dr. Howard to meet each patient but also to ensure he is recommending the best treatment possible. He will evaluate the condition of each patient’s breasts before conversing with them about their medical history, current medications, concerns, and desired results.

After determining their candidacy, Dr. Howard will craft the patient’s breast augmentation and lift, adjusting the procedure to help them address their concerns. He will then discuss the cost of each patient’s treatment with them, as well as answer any questions they may have. Each patient is encouraged to prepare and ask questions, as well as raise any concerns, as we want each patient to feel informed and empowered about their procedure.

To schedule your personal consultation at our Lake Forest, Chicago, or Glenview offices, please contact us online or call (224) 271-4250.

Preparation

Dr. Howard will provide each patient with a set of preparation instructions during their consultation. This is to ensure that each patient is properly informed before the start of their procedure and also to facilitate a smooth recovery and the most ideal results. Dr. Howard may ask patients to temporarily avoid the use of certain medications and/or supplements that thin the blood. Patients should stop using nicotine temporarily several weeks before their appointment and refrain from drinking alcohol several days before the procedure. Patients will need to arrange for any time away from work they may need, as well as transportation home after the procedure.

Procedure

Each patient’s procedure will begin with the administration of anesthesia to ensure a comfortable treatment process. Dr. Howard will place each patient’s implants before repositioning the breasts and removing any excess tissue to reshape them.

Dr. Howard will first create a pocket for the implants to rest in. The pocket can either be placed under or above the pectoral muscle, also known as submuscular and subglandular placement, respectively. After making a pocket for the breast implants, Dr. Howard will place them.

Dr. Howard will make an incision at a predetermined point to help lift the positioning of the breasts. There are several different types of incisions that Dr. Howard can make:

  • Circumareolar, or around the outside perimeter of the areola. This incision is often called the donut incision.
  • Circumvertical, along the outside edge of the areola, with the addition of a vertical incision that extends downward towards the breast crease. This placement may also be referred to as a lollipop incision. (3)
  • Wise Pattern, this incision is similar to the circumvertical placement, with the addition of a third incision that extends horizontally under the breast crease. The Wise Pattern can also be called the inverted T incision or the anchor pattern, and is a technique primarily reserved for more extensive adjustments. (4)

Once the incisions have been made, the breasts will be physically repositioned to create a curvier appearance, and Dr. Howard will remove excess tissue. If desired, Dr. Howard can also reshape or reposition the nipple-areolar complex. While the exact duration of each procedure will vary between patients, most individuals can expect their treatment to last a few hours.

Recovery

Breast augmentation with lift is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients will be released home the same day as their appointment to start recovering. It is common to experience swelling and bruising in the treatment area. You may also experience tightness and/or discomfort in the treatment area that you can alleviate with medication and/or a cold compress. Additionally, you may be required to wear a compression garment in the treatment area to help reduce swelling and support the recovery process. Most patients can return to work within 1-2 weeks, but should refrain from physical exercise or strenuous tasks for several more weeks. Dr. Howard will provide further instructions during your consultation.

Results

You can enjoy an improvement in your appearance immediately after the procedure, but the final results will become more apparent several weeks later, once the breasts settle into a more natural position on the chest. Each patient will be able to enjoy an enhanced breast shape and fullness, improved symmetry, and a more proportionate nipple shape and placement.

Each patient can experience more substantial results when these procedures are combined, as they are complementary to each other. Furthermore, the results of a combined augmentation and lift are long-lasting, with implants lasting for up to a decade before needing to be replaced.

Corresponding Procedures

Many treatments may be performed to complement the effects of a combined breast augmentation with lift, with the most popular being the mommy makeover. The mommy makeover is a fully customizable treatment designed to help postpartum women address multiple areas of the body at once, creating a more youthful-looking appearance. Dr. Howard can combine different aspects of tummy tucks, liposuction, breast lifts, and breast enhancement to help each patient restore their figure.

  • Liposuction: Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure designed to remove stubborn, unwanted deposits of fat from around the body. Dr. Howard will use a tumescent solution to help loosen each patient’s body fat before using a specialized vacuum to emulsify and gently suction out the excess fat.
  • Tummy Tucks: A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from around the waist, in addition to strengthening the core. Dr. Howard can suture any separated muscles back together, in addition to repositioning the underlying muscle, leaving patients with a smoother, more defined waist.

To learn more about the other procedures we offer, please read Dr. Howard’s blog!

Cost of Combining a Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift in Chicago

The cost of each breast augmentation and lift may vary, as each procedure is fully customized to help each individual achieve their goals. Dr. Howard will discuss the cost of each patient’s procedure during their consultation, once a treatment plan has been established and agreed upon. We offer only the most competitive pricing for the most premium results.

To discover the cost of your breast augmentation and lift, please call (224) 271-4250 or contact us online, and a member of our team will respond shortly.

FAQ

What if I am unsure which type of implant is best for my combination breast augmentation with lift?

During your consultation, we will explain the differences between the different types of breast implants. He will also recommend the best implant type for you after performing a medical examination.

How long will my breast implants last?

Breast implants can last for a decade or longer. All breast implants need to be replaced eventually. Those with silicone implants should attend an MRI 5–6 years after placement of silicone implants, and then once every 2–3 years after that to ensure there are no leaks or ruptures. We can answer any questions you have during your consultation.

Will I have any visible scarring after my breast augmentation with lift?

We take care to make incisions along the natural curves of your skin that gradually fade over time for natural-looking results.

Will my breast augmentation with lift be painful?

Our team will administer anesthesia to ensure a relaxing procedure. However, it is common to experience some discomfort during recovery, but this may be managed through the use of pain medications.

Can my combined breast augmentation with lift be combined with a third procedure for more comprehensive results?

Yes, a breast augmentation and lift can be complemented by a third procedure. For more information, please reach out to the office most convenient for you.

References

  1. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  2. Patel BC, Wong CS, Wright T, Schaffner AD. Breast Implants. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441998/
  3. Abdelkader R, Raafat S, Sakr W, Abdelaziz M, ElNoamany S. Augmentation Mastopexy: A Five-step Standardized Strategy Approach. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2022;10(6):e4349. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000004349
  4. Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2020;8(10):e3057. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003057
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