A breast lift procedure can restore youthful contours and improve self-confidence for women who experience breast sagging or deflation. However, for those seeking a bouncier look and upper pole fullness, adding implants to the procedure can yield even better results.
According to Chicago, IL plastic surgeon Andrea Martin, MD, a good candidate for a breast lift with implants is someone who wants to enhance the shape and position of their breasts. Dr. Martin explains, “A good candidate is someone who has postpartum or weight loss-related breast deflation. They don’t want to feel like their breasts are droopy and want to regain the youthful kind of cleavage they had when they were younger.”
Enhancing Shape and Fullness
When it comes to achieving a good shape, Dr. Martin highlights, “What the implant does is provide more stable fullness in the upper part of the breast. It’s more reliable because the breast skin and the breast gland have stretched out and lost some of their elasticity and ability to retract.”
She emphasizes that even after a regular breast lift, the breasts may gradually stretch out and descend due to the skin’s limited ability to retract. “So, you have to supplement the lift with a breast implant which is going to maintain better shape and therefore better fullness.”
Minimizing Scarring
Avoiding the breast lift scar is a common concern for many patients. Dr. Martin addresses this, stating, “You can sometimes avoid that anchor scar or make it shorter, depending on the size of the implant. However, you can’t avoid the incision around the areola or the vertical incision.” This insight underscores the importance of considering implant size and finding a balance between desired outcomes and minimizing scarring.
Factors such as breast size and patient characteristics also play a significant role. “Patients who are really large breasted or overweight are more likely to have complications,” Dr. Martin cautions. “Patients who want a really large implant would be better served with staged surgeries to separate out the procedures.”
When it comes to choosing the right size, Dr. Martin emphasizes a patient-centric approach. “I think that’s very patient dependent both in terms of their expectations and desires and what fits their body.” Through comprehensive measurements and assessments, she helps her patients determine the most suitable options to achieve a bigger, bouncier, and younger-looking bust.
Recovery after a breast lift with implants varies, as Dr. Martin explains, “Four to six weeks of activity restrictions are generally recommended. Patients don’t have to be completely laid up during that whole time, but they will usually start feeling back to normal between two and four weeks.” It is important to note that the breasts continue to settle and undergo changes over time. “In about six months to a year, the breasts will settle, and that will be their final result.”
