Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Blog

Many patients present to my office for breast augmentation surgery that are better treated with a breast lift or mastopexy procedure. Some cosmetic breast surgery patients may require a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation. To understand how I determine what is the best operation for a patient it is helpful to discuss breast ptosis. Breast ptosis is dropping of the breast tissue and nipple below the inframammary fold [IMF]. This is the fold beneath the breast and the relation of the nipple to the level of this fold is very important is determining what is the best surgical procedure. Grade I ptosis occurs when the nipple is at the level of the IMF. Breast augmentation alone will lift the breast and provide increased volume. In Grade II ptosis the nipple is below the level of the IMF and some type of breast lift with or without augmentation will be indicated. Grade III ptosis is even more severe with the nipple pointing down and mastopexy is always indicated. The type of mastopexy and incisions will vary with the amount of ptosis and other factors including breast volume and quality of the skin envelope. More on this at another time.

Contact us for a consultation to determine the appropriate procedure for you.