Breast Lift and Augmentation

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Breast Lift and Augmentation: Reducing the Scars

by Hilton Becker, M.D.

Patients who have sagging breasts that lack volume

as well, are best treated by combining a breast

lift with an implant. As the one procedure

tightens and the other procedure enlarges,

problems can occur.

The breast lift incision is around the areola, and

often a vertical incision as well. Placing the

implant at the same time can lead to excessive

tension on the scar which can lead to stretching

of the scar or even wound break-down and nipple

loss.

By placing an adjustable implant that is only

partially filled at the time of the breast lift,

these problems can be greatly reduced.

My preference is to use the Becker 50-50 (gel

saline) or the Spectrum (saline) when performing

mastopexy augmentations. The adjustable implants

have an injection dome that is connected to the

implant via a thin filling tube which can be left

outside the skin for several days. Once the

incision has healed satisfactorily further saline

can be added to the implant. When the size and

shape is satisfactory, the fill tube is simply

removed. This is similar to removing a drain

after surgery.

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