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.