Aging, pregnancy, and genetics all play a role in changing the shape of your breasts over the course of your lifetime. If you are worried about breasts that have begun to sag or flatten, you may be weighing the benefits of a breast lift procedure to restore your youthful profile. But while a breast lift is ideal for repositioning the breasts higher on the chest, it will not be able to address volume loss, which is why many women are opting to combine a breast lift with a breast augmentation.
What You Need to Know About a Breast Lift and Augmentation
A breast lift as a standalone procedure may not provide the results you are looking for if your breasts have lost significant volume, which happens to many women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The skin that stretches to provide milk for a baby can fail to bounce back to its pre-pregnancy position, leading to breasts that droop lower on the chest.
Though a breast lift will remove excess skin and move the breasts and nipple-areola complex to a perkier position, it may actually decrease your breast volume slightly. For many women, combining a breast augmentation with a lift is an ideal choice, because the dual procedure creates both an increased breast volume and an enhanced breast shape. Getting breast implants at the same time as your breast lift surgery should not significantly add to your recovery time, and the results can provide a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your breasts.
There are two significant advantages to combining a breast augmentation with a lift in the same procedure: It saves money and will also help you avoid having to undergo two recovery processes from two separate surgeries.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift + Augmentation?
In general, the same characteristics that make a woman a good candidate for a breast lift also qualify her to get a breast augmentation. These include:
- Overall good health
- Being a nonsmoker
- Have no masses in the breasts after an exam
- Having a positive support network of family and friends
- Realistic expectations for the results of the surgery
The best way to determine whether you need a breast lift is a simple check called the “pencil test.” To perform this test, place a pencil in the crease beneath one of your breasts. If the pencil rolls away, you still have sufficient perkiness in your breasts. However, if your breast holds the pencil in place, you are a likely candidate for a breast lift surgery.
Recovering From a Breast Lift With Augmentation
For the first few days after your surgery, you can expect some tenderness, bruising, and swelling across your chest, and you may experience mild discomfort as well. These side effects are normal. To promote swifter healing, you will need to wear a specially designed surgical support bra that is sized and measured to fit you.
The length of your recovery time will depend on several factors, including how large your breast implants are. Women who choose bigger implants can expect more tissue stretching. If your job is not physically demanding, you may be able to return to work within a week or two. Women who have a more strenuous job may need to take a longer time off work. It’s also best to abstain from exercising for two weeks and ease back into your workouts after that.
Considering a Breast Lift With Implants? Contact Us Today
Women in the San Diego area who are ready to discuss combining a breast augmentation and lift should contact our office today to schedule a consultation. As a double-board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Tim Sayed has been honing his techniques for 13 years, and he is skilled at breast procedures. Regain your younger-looking breast silhouette with a breast lift and augmentation.
