Weight loss, time, and breastfeeding all tend to impact breast tissue in similar ways: they compromise breast volume while leaving the surface tissue looser, and they pull breast tissue downward. The result is excess skin that creates a “baggy” look even for breasts that have moderate volume. At my practice, I can sometimes correct for both problems with just one procedure – a lift can create a much “fuller” contour for moderately sized breasts by restoring their position, and an augmentation might be enough to create a more elevated contour, depending on the patient.
That said, in many cases a combination procedure is the best way to get precise, exact results that truly match the changes you want to see. Benefits of a combined procedure:
- Increase breast volume more dramatically and precisely with the use of implants
- Minimize excess skin to ensure a firm, smoothly contoured result
- Utilize one incision for both procedures to minimize scarring and healing time
A major benefit of the combined procedure is that it allows for dramatic results with better control over factors that just one procedure might not address fully: A skilled surgeon will plan the breast lift portion of the procedure in a way to allow for the added volume of the implants, and adjust the implant position with an eye to the beneficial impact of the lift. As an added benefit, combined procedures help you avoid “doubling up” on recovery time. Despite the extra steps, a combined breast lift and augmentation surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day. Within the first week after the procedure, you should be able to return to most of your routine activities, and add strenuous activities after about 2 to 3 weeks – the same timeframes as for an augmentation alone. If you think you might need a lift in the near future, the combined approach may be a much better option to create optimal results without the downtime of two separate surgeries.
Dr. David Sayah is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in natural plastic surgery results. His practice is devoted to providing excellent care using innovative techniques in plastic surgery such as endoscopic breast augmentation, state of the art lasers and minimally invasive facelifts. He believes that a healthy lifestyle involves diet, exercise, and preventive medicine including skincare measures. This multidisciplinary approach involves in-house internal medicine physician, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and lifestyle coach who together with Dr. Sayah develop total beauty and health in his patients.
