Answers
"I have had consultations with four board certified plastic surgeons concerning a breast lift. All have told me that with the lift I would probably lose a cup size which I do not desire. Only two would do an implant in conjunction with the lift. The other two said they do not do the implant at the same time. Since I am two for two what would be the best decision. At 48 years old I really don’t want to go through two surgeries, but do not want to jeopardize my well-being either."
— Joseph DiBello, MD
Huntingdon Valley, PA
There is no standard way of lifting and augmenting the breasts, which is the reason why you are getting different recommendations. It is much more complicated and therefore more risky to do both a breast lift (mastopexy) and an augmentation at the same time. That being said, there are a number of plastic surgeons like myself who do one stage mastopexy-breast augmentation procedures on acceptable candidates routinely. After a consultation to evaluate your goals and anatomy, it is therefore up to your individual surgeon's judgment and his/her experience as to whether it is advisable to do as a single stage or two stage procedure. Basically, there is no correct answer, just individual surgeon's expertise. Consult with board certified plastic surgeons that perform both one stage and two stage mastopexy-augmentation to get an unbiased opinion, and then trust your instincts. Obviously an informed opinion can only be provided after a comprehensive consultation.
