A One-Stage Surgery Or A Two-Stage Surgery for Breast Lift with Implants?
- Mar 18, 2023
- 3 min read
Breast Lift With Implants
Some surgeons prefer to do a Breast Lift with Implants in two separate stages. The reason for this is that building your dream breasts is similar to building your dream house. You have to look at this from an engineering point of view.
A strong, solid foundation is required prior to building any structure and you simply cannot build a house on a wet slab of concrete. Therefore, it is important that a breast implant is placed on a well-defined, solid breast fold with healed incisions, to support the weight of a breast implant in lasting the test of time.
Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and we all fall victim to gravity sooner or later in life. However, some of us may experience breast ptosis (sagging), earlier in life. This can be due to weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ageing, genetics or skin quality. Though we have no control over the way our natural breasts sit, we do have the power to improve them.
What is a Two-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation?
A Two-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation is performed in two separate surgeries, with the first stage being a Breast Lift and the second stage a Breast Augmentation. Within the first surgery, the Surgeon will lift and reshape the existing breast tissue to create an ideal canvas and a stable foundation, in preparation for the second stage (the Breast Augmentation). The second stage can be performed 6-12 months later, depending on the individual’s healing process.
Why has my Surgeon recommended a Two-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation?
Depending on your anatomy, if you do not have a defined breast fold and suffer from poor skin elasticity or breast ptosis (sagging), you may be recommended a two-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation.
A Breast Lift is performed with the goal of lifting and reducing the breast skin, tissue and nipples, whilst Breast Augmentation surgery is performed to add volume to the breasts, by stretching the breast skin and applying significant pressure to the breast tissue, to allow for the implants. For this reason, a one-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation can be quite a conflicting surgical procedure, trying to achieve the opposite surgical objectives.
What are the benefits of a Two-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation?
When combining a Breast Lift with Implants in a one-stage procedure, the pressure from the weight and volume of the breast implants may cause the Breast Lift incisions to be stretched and the tissue to sag lower.
The benefits of a Two-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation surgery may include:
Optimal healing
Minimal scarring
Closer cleavage
Elongated torso and waistline (Two-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation allows your Surgeon to lift the breast fold and for it to completely heal, therefore creating a longer torso)
A firmer and more perfected breast shape
Superior implant placement
Avoiding unnecessary complications
Greater upper pole medial cleavage
The longevity of surgery results
A safer option – less chance of infection, stretched incisions or the risk of wound separation
Larger implant sizes may be used at the Breast Augmentation stage (as there will not be as much pressure on incisions, now that they are healed)
Improved breast symmetry – Once the breasts have been lifted and have sufficient time to heal, asymmetry correction is much more achievable
Though the thought of a two-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation might be daunting, when you consider the extra recovery time and potentially higher costs, the surgical outcome of a two-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation may, in the long run, be better!
Am I a Candidate for a One-Stage Breast Lift with Augmentation Surgery?
If you have a well-defined breast fold, good skin elasticity, very minor breast ptosis (sagging) and are only wishing to have a conservative breast implant size, you may be eligible for a one-stage Breast Lift with Augmentation.
Do I need Breast Implants with my Breast Lift?
Sometimes where a Breast Lift is required, there may already be sufficient breast tissue/volume, however, this breast tissue/volume is just in the wrong place. Over time with the natural ageing process, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss, this breast tissue becomes poorly displaced and tends to head south. GoldenSands Surgeons specialise in taking the preexisting breast tissue/volume, lifting and reshaping it into a more youthful, desired breast shape.
Why is a Breast Lift without Implants the same cost, or more expensive than a Breast Lift with Implants?
A Breast Lift without implants can be a much more complex surgical procedure requiring extensive surgical expertise, which can take just as long, if not longer in theatre. Due to the Surgeon not having an implant to use as a guide. Instead, the Surgeon uses the pre-existing, natural breast tissue to lift and reshape into a more desired breast shape. We recommend that Breast Lift surgery without implants be performed by a highly experienced Surgeon, who specialises in breast lifting techniques.
