Elevate your breasts and enhance volume and shape
A breast lift with augmentation, also known as augmentation mastopexy, is a procedure that combines two of the most popular breast enhancement surgeries to add volume, reshape, and lift the breasts. Aging, pregnancy, genetics, and weight fluctuation can all contribute to sagging breast tissue and loss of fullness in the upper breast, leading to a “deflated” appearance. By removing excess skin, lifting the breast tissue, and increasing breast fullness with the placement of an implant, a breast lift with augmentation surgery can create a youthful, shapely breast contour. You and Dr. Dawes will work together to choose which technique will work best for your breast size, shape, and position.
Some women choose to combine their breast lift with an augmentation. Doing both surgeries at the same time provides better shape and fullness, and eliminates the need for two separate procedures and recovery periods. Calgary plastic surgeon Dr. Dawes, has significant experience with combined breast augmentation/ mastopexy. During your consultation, Dr. Dawes will determine whether you should consider this type of breast enhancement.
Is A Breast Lift with Augmentation Right for Me?
Many patients come into a consultation with a specific breast size in mind, but they may end up changing their mind once sitting down with Dr. Dawes. During your personalized consultation, he will ensure you find what size would look good on your body, based on your natural anatomy and desired outcome. You will be able to test out the feeling of different breast sizes using various sized implants. These sizers help many patients choose the most appropriate implant size for their augmentation procedure.
A breast lift and augmentation may be right for you if:
- You have a sagging breast shape as a result of pregnancy, nursing, weight fluctuation, or genetics
- Your breasts lack firmness
- Your breasts are asymmetrical
Criteria for Candidates of Breast Lift with Augmentation
- Patients should be generally fit and healthy
- Smokers should quit at least 3 weeks prior to surgery and will need to commit to not smoking for at least 3 weeks after the procedure.
- Patients who are breast feeding/pregnant should wait 12 weeks/3 months after completing breast feeding before having surgery so that the true breast size can be
determined
How Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy is performed:
Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy is performed in two stages. Dr. Dawes starts by creating a breast implant pocket (space for the implant) under the chest muscle. The implant is then placed into the pocket. After the Breast Augmentation, Dr. Dawes begins removing the excess skin of the breast and will make surgical refinements to the breasts as needed to obtain the best results. After the stitches are placed, a dressing is applied to the surgical site and a bra is usually worn for several weeks after surgery.
Recovery Expectations
You can expect to feel soreness in the chest area for 3-7 days post-surgery. The breasts will look swollen and may have bruising in the first 1-3 weeks. Most patients can return to work in 1-2 weeks. Patients are generally allowed to return to light exercise 2-3 weeks after surgery. Strenuous activities can typically begin 4-6 weeks post-surgery. Your breasts may have a slightly unnatural shape in the beginning. This is completely normal as it takes between 6 months to 1 year for them to settle to their natural look and shape.
Read what our patients are saying!
My experience with Dr Dawes was absolutely AMAZING!!! He is such a wonderful Dr. I knew instantly that I wanted him to do my breast augmentation after my consultation. He is so easy to talk to , makes you feel comfortable, and goes over absolutely everything. He takes the time to listen and address any concerns you may have. He is genuine & has the greatest staff. I will choose Dr Dawes for absolutely any procedures I may have in my future. I couldn’t be more happy with my Breast Augmentation.
Breast Lift with Augmentation FAQs
Dr. Dawes purchases extended warranties on all implants he places to protect his patients against unforeseen costs in the event of a manufacturer’s defect. The coverage includes a lifetime product replacement against rupture or deflation, and 10 years against capsular contraction (Baker Grade III/IV), double capsule and late seroma. Patients are also eligible through the implant manufacturer for financial assistance with operating room, anesthesia and surgeon’s fees up to $3500 on rupture or deflation.
The ideal candidate for breast lift surgery is in good health and has a stable weight. Typical concerns would be that the breasts droop, show stretched skin and downward pointing nipples and want fuller, more shapely breasts.
A breast lift will provide more fullness to the upper pole of the breast, but it will not increase the overall cup size. In fact it may decrease. By adding a Breast Augmentation if appropriate, you will achieve more volume with a more full breast shape.
Within 3-6 months following your procedure, incisions will heal and swelling will resolve. Scars mature over time and will become lighter up to one year after your operation.
The results of breast lift surgery are not permanent. Aging and gravity will still impose their effects on your breasts. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle will help you minimize these changes.
With the natural aging process and weight gain, breasts may sag over time. Implants may need to be replaced in 10-20 years.
There is a 40% possibility that you may have problems breastfeeding after a breast lift procedure.
The traditional incision will go around the nipple areolar complex, down towards the natural breast crease and across the breast crease (in the shape of an anchor). However, it may vary depending on individual needs.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Although the procedure has a low risk profile, Dr. Dawes will ensure you understand the potential problems associated with Breast Augmentation and Mastopexy at the time of your consultation.
Although rare, risks of surgery include capsular contracture, which may necessitate additional surgery to release the scar or removal of the implant. Your implant may need to be removed if it ruptures. Most breast lift with augmentation scars are visible on the bare breast, but are easily hidden by clothing. Some lifting techniques hide the scars in inconspicuous areas, though not everyone is a candidate for this type of procedure and Dr. Dawes will need to evaluate your breasts and goals. Other risks include infection, bleeding, malposition of the breast implant, implant rippling or palpability, and permanently altered nipple sensation.
You can expect moderate discomfort of the breasts, which should gradually improve over 3-4 days. Swelling usually subsides after 3 weeks, but can occasionally persist longer. Following the surgery, you will have some mild bruising and swelling of the breasts. Most bruising will resolve in two weeks but swelling can persist for several months. During the first 2 weeks after the surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activities and you will not be able to raise your arms above your head for 3 weeks. A supportive bra should also be worn during this time. For the first 6 weeks, sleeping on the stomach or sides should also be avoided.
For the first few days after surgery, most patients experience some discomfort, bruising and swelling. You should plan on being off work for 1-2 weeks.
During your recovery you should refrain from strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Schedule a Mastopexy Consultation
To learn more about a Breast Lift procedure (Mastopexy) or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dawes, give us a call today at 403-571-3141 or fill out an online contact form and our office will be in touch with you. Our practice serves Calgary, AB and the surrounding areas!
