Breast Lift and Implant

Breast augmentation and breast implant surgery can be combined in a single surgery for most patients. Board certified Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Dr. Fryer is one of the most experienced surgeons in Utah at combining breast augmentation and lift together. Combining breast augmentation and lift into one operation has been the subject of some controversy between plastic surgeons with some claiming that the two procedures can be combined together, and others claiming they should not. Augmentation mastopexy (the combination of breast augmentation and lift in one surgery) is arguably one of the most difficult operations that cosmetic plastic surgeons perform. It requires an understanding of the anatomy, an appreciation of breast tissue characteristics, a respect for the artistry, and judgement of proportions and harmony to get the best results for these patients. Some cosmetic plastic surgeons choose not to perform these operations together because of the difficulty; Dr. Fryer excels at it!

Augmentation mastopexy combines the benefits of breast augmentation (larger, fuller, rounder breasts) with the benefits of a lift (perkier, firmer breasts with the nipples lifted into a better position). When combining a breast augmentation with a lift the choice of which lift is best depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed and where that skin is located. Unlike performing a breast lift alone, when combined with a breast augmentation the plastic surgeon must anticipate the effect that augmentation is going to have on the amount of excess skin. If the plastic surgeon doesn’t remove enough skin, then this results in a breast that is still too droopy. Alternatively, if the cosmetic surgeon removes too much skin it negatively impacts the shape of the breast, making it cone shaped and pointy, or worse – they may not be able to close the skin at all. Dr. Fryer has successfully performed thousands of combined breast augmentation and lift surgeries and consistently obtains the best outcome for his patients. He is confident that he can combine breast augmentation and lift in most cases without compromising the aesthetic outcome or safety of his patients, which can save patients both time and money.

Combined breast augmentation and lift can be performed in an ambulatory surgical center under general anesthesia enhanced with local anesthesia. Patients return home the same day with tape covering the incisions and light bandages held in place by a comfortable cotton sports bra. Combining breast augmentation and a lift at the same time does not increase the recovery or discomfort very much at all. Patients are given instructions to take alternatives to narcotics to help improve their comfort and to use the narcotic pain medicine only as needed. Patients are typically done taking pain medications by day three or four, which is about the same for women who are having either operation performed separately. When combining breast augmentation with a lift all the sutures are usually dissolvable, so you don’t need to have sutures removed. Sometimes one permanent circular suture is placed deep in the tissue on each side to help hold the shape and position of the nipple but this is not performed on all breast lifts and even when it is used it is not routinely removed. You can consult experts like this Breast Augmentation in Chicago or breast augmentation in Hollywood, FL to know what would be best for you.

Recovery instructions after a combined breast augmentation and lift are very similar to breast augmentation instructions with one important exception. If a doctor performs a breast lift for you, then you should NOT use ice packs on the breasts. Using ice decreases blood flow and performing the lift has already decreased blood flow into the skin and tissue, so therefore we don’t want you to use ice packs. You will be instructed to begin some gentle stretching exercises immediately after surgery to help keep the chest wall muscle loose and prevent muscle spasm. Dr. Fryer believes these stretches are just as effective, if not more effective, than muscle relaxers for helping to prevent muscle spasm for most patients. After recovering completely, a patient can decide to partake in plastic surgery scar camouflage if they feel their is scarring that is more visible than they would prefer.

The follow-up schedule when combining breast augmentation with a lift is exactly the same as having a lift alone. You are seen the day after surgery, one week after surgery, three weeks after surgery and then your final follow-up appointment at 3 months after surgery. Patients who travel from outside of Utah or from distant cities like St. George, Cedar City, or Logan can follow-up by sending photos over the internet to ensure proper healing and can sometimes avoid traveling back for appointments unless it is necessary to help them heal properly. Just like with breast augmentation only patients, combined breast augmentation and breast lift patients not to do any strenuous or heavy lifting with their chest or arms for six weeks to allow the chest muscle to heal. There’s a list of approved exercises that can be started immediately after your combined breast augmentation and lift.

The specific risks and the suitability of combining breast augmentation and a lift surgery can be determined only during your consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk, but major complications are rare.