Breast augmentation involves placing implants or transferred fat tissue into the breasts to increase their volume and shape. A breast lift (mastopexy) removes excess skin and repositions tissue to create a more youthful, elevated breast appearance. While these procedures can be performed separately, many women discover combining both surgeries in a single operation delivers the most comprehensive and satisfying results.
Breast Enhancement in Metro Detroit
At Michigan Cosmetic Surgery in Southfield, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mariam Awada specializes in feminine plastic surgery procedures. She brings years of expertise and a deep understanding of women’s aesthetic goals to every consultation. Dr. Awada recognizes that each patient’s anatomy and desired outcomes are unique, so she takes time to thoroughly evaluate breast tissue, skin quality, and overall proportions during the consultation process.
This comprehensive assessment allows her to recommend the most appropriate surgical approach, whether that involves augmentation alone or the powerful combination of breast augmentation with lift to achieve optimal results. Some of the major signs that you may need a breast lift with your augmentation include:
1. Significant Breast Sagging
One of the most obvious indicators is the presence of noticeable breast sagging, medically known as ptosis. When breast tissue has descended significantly due to factors like pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and/or natural aging, only adding implants may not address the underlying structural issues.
In fact, placing implants in breasts with moderate to severe sagging can sometimes create an unnatural appearance where the implant sits high while the natural breast tissue remains low. Breast augmentation with lift surgery repositions the existing tissue and removes excess skin, creating the ideal foundation for implant placement and ensuring a more harmonious, youthful contour.
2. Nipple Position Below the Breast Crease
The position of your nipples relative to your breast crease (inframammary fold) is a key diagnostic indicator. Ideally, nipples should sit at or slightly above the fold. When they have migrated to a position below this crease, or are pointing downward rather than forward, augmentation alone will not be sufficient. A breast lift component becomes essential to relocate the nipple-areolar complex to a more aesthetically pleasing and anatomically correct position.
3. Enlarged or Stretched Areolas
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging can also cause the areolas to become disproportionately large or stretched beyond their original size. While breast implants can improve volume and projection, they cannot address areolar size concerns. During a breast lift procedure, excess areolar tissue can be removed and the remaining tissue reshaped to create smaller, more proportionate areolas that complement your enhanced breast size.
4. Loss of Upper Pole Fullness
Age, gravity, and life changes often result in loss of volume in the upper portion of the breast, creating a deflated or “empty” look in this area. While implants restore volume, breasts with significant upper pole deflation may also have excess lower pole skin that needs to be reduced through lifting techniques. This combination approach redistributes existing tissue upward while adding volume, creating fuller, more rounded breast contours with improved projection and cleavage.
5. Breast Asymmetry Issues
Many women experience some degree of breast asymmetry, but noticeable differences in breast shape, size, or position may require more than implants alone. The lift component can address varying degrees of sagging on each side, while implants can be sized differently to achieve better symmetry and balance.
Learn More About This Combination Approach
If you recognize any of these signs in your own breast anatomy, a consultation with Dr. Mariam Awada can help determine whether combining a breast lift with your augmentation is the best strategy for you. Contact Michigan Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule your personalized consultation and discover how this comprehensive approach can improve your natural beauty and boost your confidence.
