BREAST AUGMENTATION AND MASTOPEXY
Small breasts and ptosis (leaving of the breast) in the same patient is a double problem. Decreased body weight can lead to a loss of breast volume, later to ptosis. The problem may become more visible after pregnancy or after multiple pregnancies, when the breasts may enlarge significantly and then lose volume. Thus, restoring the shape of the breasts involves increasing their volume and lifting them with the technique, which is called augmentation and mastopexy. The general medical condition, the examination of the breasts (mammography, ultrasonography), the appreciation of the shape and volume of the breasts, the operations performed in the past, the motivation and expectations from the intervention and the understanding of the surgical options are important for the operation result. The quality of the dermis, the volume of the breasts, the dimensions of the areolas, the particularities of the rib cage are taken into account. The type and volume of breast implants are chosen taking into account individual anatomical data and patient expectations. Correct preoperative marking is very important.
Surgical technique
The choice of method for correcting the shape of the breasts depends on the degree of ptosis (sagging breasts). Breast augmentation begins with subglandular or periareolar access. Mastopexy has the following variants: periareolar, vertical and T-reverse.
The surgical technique of mastopexy is chosen depending on the degree of breast ptosis (I, II or III). Periareolar mastopexy with a single scar around the areola is chosen in cases of grade I of ptosis. Only breast augmentation with high-profile implants without periareolar mastopexy can be performed in some cases of insignificant ptosis. Using a too big implant does not have the expected effect of lifting the breasts. However, “T-reverse” mastopexy and vertical scar mastopexy are most commonly performed method when combined with breast augmentation.
It is important to know that surgical treatment can be simultaneous (augmentation concomitant with mastopexy), or in stages (two separate operations). However, it is preferable for the operation to be performed in one step. The combination of breast augmentation and mastopexy allows to obtain a maximum result in a single operation. Breast augmentation and simultaneous mastopexy is a procedure with multiple variants. Equally important is the correct execution of the chosen procedure to obtain a correct final position of the implant, nipple and scar. The quality of the scars improves during of a year. In the postoperative period, in rare cases some complications are possible (infection, asymmetry, capsular contracture, etc.), which may require corrective interventions. Breast augmentation and simultaneous mastopexy bring self-confidence and satisfaction to patients.