Breast Lift with Augmentation

A mastopexy is a procedure used to lift sagging breasts, while an augmentation mammoplasty is a procedure performed to increase the size of a woman’s breasts using an implantable prosthesis. These two procedures can be combined to lift the breast and enhance the breast with more volume. The mastopexy augmentation procedure allows the implant to be placed at the time of the mastopexy to make the breasts appear larger and firmer, while rearranging the breast skin and decreasing the areola size to give the breasts a more youthful appearance. This technique is often used after women have lost weight or after breast-feeding when the volume of breast tissue has decreased and the size of the pigmented area around the nipple (the areola) enlarges.

It is important to note that while an implant traditionally makes the breast larger, it can also be used to restore volume in deflated breasts. It is not necessary to make the breasts much larger than they already are, and in some circumstances, Dr. Parson can keep your cup size the same by removing some of your own breast tissue during the lift and replacing it with an implant. Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not be as long-lasting as when the procedure is done on smaller breasts.

Incision

There are a couple of ways to lift the breast – the size and shape of your breasts, size of your areolas, and extent of sagging are factors that will help Dr. Parson determine the best technique for you: Peri-areolar Mastopexy and Standard Mastopexy.

Peri-areolar Mastopexy

Peri-areolar Mastopexy involves a circular incision made around the areola and is reserved for women who have a small amount of sagging. If there is a moderate amount of sagging, a second incision which runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast, similar to a lollipop, may be needed.

Standard Mastopexy

For women with a significant amount of sagging and/or a significant amount of breast tissue, a Standard Mastopexy incision is used. This involves a third incision that runs horizontal beneath the breast and follows the natural curve of the breast crease. A common term for this is the anchor scar.

After Dr. Parson removes excess breast skin, the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The areola, which in a sagging breast may have been stretched, can be reduced in size. Skin that was formerly located above the areola is brought down and together beneath it to reshape the breast. The nipples and areolas remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, and this usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breast-feed.

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