Breast Lift with Implants

Breast Lift with Implants in Portsmouth, NH With Dr. Anthony Wilson

If your breasts aren’t the perky points of interest they once were, you are not alone. Aging, pregnancy, and weight loss can cause breasts to sag and deflate. 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. Nearly 300,000 breast augmentations are performed each year, and that’s more than double the total amount performed annually just twenty years ago.

Women with sagging breasts find they need more than implants, however. Combining a breast lift with breast implants restores youthful position while adding volume. 

Dr. Anthony Wilson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in breast enhancement procedures. He understands that every cosmetic procedure should be customized to the patient’s body type and preferences, and he takes the time to deliver compassionate, personalized service. Contact AW Plastic Surgery in Portsmouth, NH, today to schedule a consultation and explore whether this combined procedure might be right for you.

What Is a Breast Lift with Implants?

A breast lift with implants is a combination of two complementary cosmetic procedures. Together, they enhance the shape and size of the breasts, whether to reverse the effects of aging or to create a new and more attractive look. The medical term for these procedures is “mastopexy with augmentation.”

A breast lift, by itself, improves the shape and position of the breasts, without making them larger. It involves removing excess skin to pull the breasts up and adjust their form. As a separate procedure, it can make the breasts look rounder and fuller, with a more youthful projection but with no added volume. It may also include a reduction in the size of the areola, if warranted and desired. Dr. Wilson discusses techniques used to reach your goals in your consultation. You can learn more about these options on AW Plastic Surgery’s Breast Lift page.

Breast implants, on their own, add volume to the breasts and enhance their shape in a different way. They can be used to restore breast volume that has been lost due to childbearing and breastfeeding, menopause, or weight loss. Or they can be used to augment small breasts. Dr. Wilson uses two types of silicone implants, a biocompatible material that closely mimics the look and feel of natural breast tissue. The first, traditional silicone implants, are filled with a viscous silicone gel. The second, “gummy bear” implants, are filled with a firmer form of silicone that maintains its shape. Each has its advantages, and Dr. Wilson will consult with you to help you choose the optimal type, size, and shape of implant to meet your needs. You can learn more about implants on AW Plastic Surgery’s Breast Augmentation page.

The two procedures together can often be more effective than either one alone to create a look of full, round, and youthful breasts.

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift with Implants

If your goal is to improve the shape and projection of your breasts and to increase their volume, the combined breast lift with implants procedure may be the ideal solution.

Beyond the attractive results, having both procedures at once, as compared with having them separately, offers several benefits. You will:

  • save time in recovery by going through it only once
  • have less downtime and miss less work
  • save money by paying for a single anesthesia
  • avoid the extra risk from having anesthesia twice

Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift with Implants?

The combined breast lift with implants procedure is ideal for women who want to restore the firmness and round shape of their breasts and enhance their volume. You are likely to be a good candidate for a breast lift with implants if you have:

  • sagging breasts, with nipples that point downward or sit below the breast crease
  • breasts that are flattened or elongated
  • skin that has stretched because of aging or weight loss

AND

  • volume loss in your breasts or breasts that you consider to be too small

The combined procedures can also be the answer for women who have asymmetrical breasts.

To be a good candidate for the combined procedures you should also be in good health, close to your ideal weight, and a nonsmoker. If you smoke, you will need to quit at least three weeks before your surgery and remain smoke-free for at least three weeks after your surgery.

Cosmetic breast surgery is best done after you’re done having children, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the size and shape of your breasts and cause the skin to stretch. If you do wish to have more children after your procedure, bring that up in your consultation with Dr. Wilson. If possible, he will personalize your procedure so that your ability to breastfeed will be maintained.

It’s a good idea to get a mammogram before having breast implant surgery, as implants can make it more difficult to detect worrisome tissue changes with standard imaging. If you know that you have a higher-than-normal risk for breast cancer, discuss that in your consultation with Dr. Wilson.

What Happens in a Breast Lift with Implants Procedure?

A breast lift with implants procedure is done under general anesthesia. The breast will be reshaped and the nipple position adjusted with artfully placed incisions and selective removal of skin. Implants are then placed either above or below the muscle tissue. Fine stitches are used to close the incisions to minimize visible scarring.

The procedure usually takes between two and four hours. You will be groggy from the anesthesia, so you will need to arrange for a friend or family member to bring you home.

More detail on the two procedures can be found on the Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation pages.

What Can I Expect in Recovery?

You will need a full week of downtime after the procedure — possibly two weeks, depending on the breast lift procedure — and should arrange to get help with ordinary household tasks. You will need to avoid reaching for things and lifting anything heavier than five pounds. Sleeping upright, propped on pillows, can help reduce swelling. Dr. Wilson will provide pain medication and supportive garments to ease any discomfort.

Most women are able to return to office-type work after a week. If your work involves lifting or other physical activity, you may need to take more time off.

After four to six weeks, you will be able to resume more strenuous activities, including heavy lifting and exercise. Dr. Wilson will provide you with detailed recovery instructions and a plan for follow-up care as part of his consultations before and after the procedure.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilson in our Portsmouth, NH, office. He will examine you and discuss your goals for breast enhancement, and share his thoughts on the optimal combination of procedures. He will also take the time to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Dr. Wilson and his professional team take a real personal approach to your treatment plan. His true artistry, skill and innate talent allow me to look and feel my best, and he appreciates my “less is more” attitude. The many, many compliments I receive from friends and strangers alike wanting to know my “secret”, are testament to his innovative vision and skill.
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