There is no doubt that dramatic results can be achieved through breast augmentation. Although implants are effective for boosting the size and shape of the breasts, contrary to popular belief they cannot correct the appearance of sagging breasts. However, a breast lift can be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to better position the breasts and further enhance the bustline. Is it always necessary to combine these procedures? Can’t implants alone do the job? The board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY, are experts in the field of breast augmentation. Given their experience and vast knowledge about this highly customizable procedure for women in Long Island, they are able to determine whether a patient’s lifestyle needs and aesthetic goals are best suited for breast augmentation or a breast lift - or both.
What implants do
Saline and silicone implants are placed beneath the breast tissue or chest muscles to increase breast volume. They also are able to improve the shape of the breasts by making them appear more round and full. Although they may be helpful in reducing a limited amount of sag in women whose chests are small, in most cases implants on their own do not eliminate breast sagginess and are unable to create a perkier, more lifted appearance.
What is a breast lift?
Changes to firmness and elasticity of the breasts due to age, the effects of gravity, weight loss, and pregnancy can cause them to sag as volume shifts lower. If the nipples become oversized, begin to point downward rather than outward, or if the bulk of the breast tissue droops below the nipple, the board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery can perform an examination and determine whether a breast lift is in order. Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift is used to remove excess skin and reshape tissue to raise the breasts upward. During the procedure, the areolae can also be resized to appear more proportionate to the new shape of the breast. Although a lift can be performed on breasts of any size, the results may prove to be longer lasting last longer for women in Long Island with smaller sagging breasts, which are less likely to sag further in the future than those of women whose breasts are large and heavy.
How is breast sagginess evaluated?
Your plastic surgeon will be able to determine the degree of sagging in your breasts, which is called ptosis, and will assign the condition one of three grades representing the level of severity. This also will help them decide which procedure will provide you with the optimum results.
Grade I is diagnosed when the center of the nipple is situated at the same height as the fold where the breast is connected to the chest wall. In most cases, augmentation may be all that is required to improve the appearance of the breast.
In Grade II, the nipple’s center rests up to three centimeters below the fold. While a lift may not be necessary at this stage, the placement of an implant could increase volume lower in the breast and produce a less-desirable outcome.
Grade III is when the nipple falls three or more centimeters below the fold. This is when an augmentation procedure combined with a breast lift usually is recommended.
Keep in mind that it is possible for the breasts to appear to sag despite the fact that the nipple remains above the breast fold. In such cases, a lift may be beneficial in helping to ensure an overall improved appearance following augmentation.
Combining procedures
Breast augmentation and a breast lift can be successfully combined during a single procedure to achieve a more voluminous, perky bustline. For Long Island patients, this pairing may prove to be convenient as well as cost-effective. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery may start with the lift. If necessary, the nipples can be repositioned and resized prior to the placement of the implants. However, for women who grapple with higher grades of ptosis or sagginess, it may be necessary to separate the surgeries so that the breast lift is followed by augmentation at another time.
Pros and cons
If a patient’s ptosis is minimal, implants may be all that is needed to achieve an excellent outcome. While implants usually require minimal incisions and result in smaller scars, it is important to remember that they do carry some risks. The devices may shift position once in the breast, become encapsulated by hardened scar tissue, or rupture and require additional surgery to be removed or replaced. Also, if ptosis is severe, once placed, the implant may cause the breast to take on an odd appearance.
Although the scars produced by breast lift surgery usually are larger, the procedure lacks the risks associated with implants. It also does not produce the same level of volume and fullness that is achievable with implants. However, both surgeries boast low rates of complications and usually require similar recovery times. While breast augmentations and lifts are extremely personal procedures, it is advisable for Long Island patients to rely on their plastic surgeon’s judgment and expertise to determine which will provide the best results.
Know your options
Although implants can improve the size and shape of the breasts, they may not do much to improve a sagging bosom. To achieve the perky profile that many women in Long Island desire, a breast lift may also be required. Learn more about these tried-and-true procedures by scheduling a consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY, who can help you attain the head-turning figure you’ve always wanted.