Breast Augmentation

I. (f) Traditional t-shaped scar breast augmentations with lift.

Women with sagging breast often times desire larger breast. In these cases it is very important to perform a breast lift with the augmentation. If a lift is not performed then the appearance of the breast will depend on if the implant is placed above or below the muscle. (Either way it will not be pretty breast).

If the breast implant is placed in the submuscular position (below the pectoralis muscle) and a breast lift was not performed, then it is possible that the breast tissue will droop over the implant (see picture below) giving you what we term a snoopy deformity. Whereby the breast and implant are seen felt on your chest as two different structures. This condition, snoopy deformity , can also occur in women after they have had breast implants for quite some time. It usually occurs when the breast has undergone major changes like with severe weight gain or pregnancy. The breast tissues will begin to grow and the weight of gravity will cause the breast to droop over the implant. This can be corrected but it will require a breast lift.

Snoopy deformity.

If the implant is placed above the muscle and a breast lift was not done, then you will have a very large and saggy breast. It is true that sometimes the breast implant itself can create a lift effect on the breast. However this is only in very mild cases. In more severe cases, if not lift is done, what you will end up with is a larger, droopier breast. In essence your same breast but bigger.

The moral of the story is that if your breasts are saggy, in order to avoid the snoopy deformity, you will need to have your breast lifted. The extent of scaring on the breast lift will depend on the amount of droopiness present. Sometimes only a scar around the areola is needed, if the ptosis is more extensive we may need to add a vertical scar to the breast lift, if the ptosis is severe then a traditional T- Shaped scar mastopexy may be needed.

Mastopexy usually takes two and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast.

T-shaped pattern.

Dr. Mendieta will first reshape the gland itself. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position.

Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast its new contour.

The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.

Through the incision, the implant is then placed, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples.

The breast implant may be inserted directly under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.

Some surgeons believe that putting the implants behind your chest muscle may reduce the potential for capsular contracture. Drainage tubes may be used for several days following the surgery. This placement may also interfere less with breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue. Placement behind the muscle however, may be more painful for a few days after surgery than placement directly under the breast tissue.

After surgery, the breasts are higher and firmer, with sutures usually located around the areola, below it, and in the crease under the breast.

Please visit our FAQ section for general information on potential risks and complications after the breast surgery.

To find out what is best for you please contact us and fill out the online consultation form.