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Breast Lift With Breast Implants In Chicago

chicago breast lift implant surgeryThere are women who would like to have a breast lift, and also undergo volume enhancement with the use of breast implants. Typically, this is a situation that is encountered in women who have had and nursed children, or in women who have experienced significant weight fluctuations. In this case, an augmentation mastopexy is a wonderful option that addresses both the excessive droop in a woman’s breasts as well as the woman’s desire to have a larger breast size.

Superior Breast Surgery Approach

I believe that the best result in cosmetic surgery is one that looks natural, is long-lasting and is tailored to your physical traits and your desires. This is achieved through the judicious use of both minimally invasive as well as surgical procedures, depending on your needs and your wishes. My main goal is simple: I want to make you happy.

An augmentation mastopexy is an operation that demands tremendous skill and planning on the part of the surgeon. I will often suggest it to patients who have a sagging breast and initially are interested in just an augmentation. There is a point at which an implant cannot compensate for a saggy, volume-depleted breast and during your consultation I will determine which procedure or combination of procedures will be needed to meet your desired breast appearance. Although there will be scars on the visible part of your breasts, it is a truism that the enhanced shape and volume achieved through an augmentation-mastopexy are worth the scars that result.

Breast Lift With Implant Benefits

You should expect to have the breasts that you may have once had, perhaps with additional volume. Your nipples and breast tissue will be lifted to a youthful position, and the volume achieved with the breast implants will enhance your appearance in a natural fashion. There are many techniques that Dr. Galiano will choose from in order to address your particular situation. You may experience a heightened sense of self-esteem and confidence as well.

Am I A Candidate For A Breast Lift With Implants?

In general, if you are over 18 years of age and are in good health you are likely an excellent candidate for an augmentation/mastopexy. The ideal candidates are women who are dissatisfied with both the sagging of their breast tissue and skin, the low location of their nipples, and would also like enhancement of their breast volume. Women who are candidates need to be accepting of the fact that they will have scars around their areolae and on their breast skin. This is a minor tradeoff for most women when weighed against the remarkable enhancement of breast form that can be achieved with this procedure. Women who have lost a significant amount of breast tissue and wish to have more volume in their breasts and who have more than a mild amount of sagging (common after weight loss or pregnancy/nursing) may benefit from an augmentation-mastopexy. If you are obese, in poor health, are still nursing, have breast health issues or absolutely do not want a scar on your breast skin then you are probably not a good candidate for an augmentation/mastopexy.

Breast Lift with Implants Surgery Details

The procedure is done in the operating room under general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia. It usually lasts between 2-4 hours, and patients go home the same day. Women’s breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and they change and age in a multitude of different ways. Because of this, there is not a “one size fits all” type of operation, and the exact type of procedure that will be performed will be discussed with you during your consultation.

The operation is divided into two parts. In the first part, Dr. Galiano will place an implant or temporary sizer in the appropriate position on your breast (this could be underneath your muscle or over the muscle, depending on your anatomy. Usually, Dr. Galiano places implants partially underneath the muscle – please refer to the augmentation section of this web site). Once the implant is placed, the surrounding breast tissue and skin will be redraped and tailored around the implant to achieve a beautiful breast shape. The nipple-areolar complex will then positioned in the appropriate location. In general, the breast lift can result in a scar solely around the areola (crescent or peri-areolar mastopexy), an areolar scar with a vertical scar (“lollipop” or circumvertical mastopexy) or an areolar scar, a vertical scar, and a transverse scar at the base of the breast (an “anchor” type of mastopexy, or Wise pattern type). The main goal Dr. Galiano has is to enhance the shape. Dr. Galiano does try to minimize the scars as much as possible. He does greatly prefer to use the relatively newer circumvertical technique as much as possible, since it combines a wonderful ability to create a long-lasting new shape while minimizing the length of scar created. Dr. Galiano will let you know which procedure you are a candidate for during your consultation.

Breast Lift With Implants Aftercare & Recovery

Dr. Galiano uses validated techniques to minimize the pain that is typically associated with breast surgery. Most patients do not need drains after the procedure or special bras – as a matter of fact, no bras are used during the first 2 weeks to minimize any wound healing complications. Most patients benefit from being away from work for at least one week, and ideally two weeks. Pain is very patient-specific, but most patients will not have significant pain when they have the procedure performed by Dr. Galiano. There will be swelling, some variable amount of bruising, and some firmness initially. Depending on the technique used, the breasts will settle out into a reasonable shape between 6 weeks and 6 months after your procedure. Mild changes and improvement of the scar (see Scars) will continue to take place during the first year after your procedure. You should not drive for 2 weeks after your procedure, and although you may do mild exercises as soon as you feel up to it, you will be asked not to perform any exercises that cause your breasts to bounce (i.e., running) for 6 weeks after your procedure.

Mastopexy With Implants Risks

Any surgical procedure has risks, and you will be given a full discussion of these during your consultation. Some known risks include the following:

  • Scarring
  • Temporary or permanent loss of nipple sensation
  • Pain
  • Asymmetry
  • Changes in your mammogram
  • Lumps
  • Implant rupture and malposition
  • Capsular contracture

Dr. Galiano will go over these risks, and will discuss ways that he minimizes the chances of them occurring.

Schedule A Breast Lift With Implants Consultation?

Please call our office at (312) 926-4382 or fill out our consultation form.

Breast Lift with Implants FAQ

How long will my results from breast lift with implants last?

While breast lift reverses the effects of aging, it cannot stop the aging process altogether. Eventually, loose skin will cause your breasts to sag again, but you should be able to enjoy the effects of your lift for 10 to 15 years before a breast lift revision is necessary to maintain the results. As for the breast augmentation, most patients opt to remove (and replace if so desired) their implants every 10 to 20 years to ensure their safety and quality.

Do breast implants cause the breasts to sag?

Breast Lift and Implants Before and After PhotosHeavier breasts contribute to breast sagging (ptosis), and the presence of breast implants can moderately accelerate this process. This is precisely why Dr. Galiano recommends that women with some skin laxity who want to augment their breasts add a lift to keep the breasts in an elevated position.

Can I get breast lift if I already have breast implants?

Dr. Galiano can safely perform breast lift surgery on women who already have breast implants. Many women with older implants decide that while having a breast lift it is a smart time to replace their existing implants for new ones, but if your implants are new and in good condition, they can remain in your breasts.

How much does breast lift with implants cost?

This procedure is customized to the needs of each patient, so the total price varies depending on factors like the amount of skin that needs to be removed to lift the breasts and the type and size of the breast implants utilized in the procedure. By having breast lift and breast augmentation performed at the same time, you can save money on facility and anesthesia costs. Since this surgery is cosmetic in nature, it is not covered by health insurance plans.

Will my breast sensitivity change after having breast lift with implants?

It is common for women to notice a change in sensitivity after having breast surgery, although it is hard to anticipate how. Some women experience heightened sensitivity in the breast tissue and nipples after surgery, while other women experience numbness. This variance is due to the fact that while some nerves are inevitably severed during the surgical procedure, which nerves varies from procedure to procedure. The good news is that normal sensitivity almost always returns within a few months.

Can I breastfeed after having breast lift with implants?

Mastopexy with Augmentation in ChicagoFortunately, it is perfectly safe to breastfeed a child with implants. Most women who have had breast lift, breast implants or both do not have any problems nursing. That is because these surgeries largely avoid the milk ducts and glands necessary for lactation. However, the risk of impeding lactation is slightly elevated following a cosmetic breast procedure.

If you are considering having children in the coming years, you may want to postpone breast lift until you have finished nursing. The main reason for this is that pregnancy changes the size and shape of the breasts, which contributes to accelerated breast droopiness. By waiting until you have completed your family to have breast lift, you can address the sagging that is common in new mothers.

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