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Complications Related to Breast Augmentation/Mastopexy (Breast Lifting)

Breast augmentation/mastopexy (breast lifting) surgery is one of the most commonly requested breast contouring surgeries performed. Patients who seek to have this operation done generally wish to improve the contour of the breast by lifting the nipple-areola complex by tightening up the "skin envelope" and achieve increased fullness of the breasts especially superiorly and along the cleavage area.

The combination breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery alone in that it carries increased risk compared to either breast augmentation or mastopexy surgery performed separately.

Furthermore, the potential need for revisionary surgery is increase with breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery done at the same time. Revision mastopexy may also be necessary if the patient gains or loses weight or becomes pregnant. Loss of breast skin elasticity may contribute to the earlier need for revisionary surgery (repeat lifting) as well.

When breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery is performed, an implant is used below or on top of the pectoralis muscle. The breast tissue and skin is then elevated lifted) to cover the breast implant. This "lifting" often involves skin excision, the areola, vertically and sometimes horizontally. This skin excision serves to tighten the "skin envelope". By doing so, a lifted appearance of the breast is achieved and the loose-saggy appearance and feel of breast tissue is eliminated.

Herein lies the competition and the potential risks and complications: the mastopexy procedure by definition involves reducing the skin envelope allowing for repositioning of the nipple-areola (and reshaping the breast).

Breast augmentation by definition enlarges the breast and expands the skin envelope. Also, placement of an implant necessitates dissection of a "pocket" that reduces blood flow. The blood flow is further compromised by incisions used to reduce the skin envelope.

Because of these factors, while breast augmentation OR mastopexy surgery is relatively simple and complication free, breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery done together carries increased chances of complications and need for further surgery.

For example, there is an increased risk of infection, implant exposure, breast asymmetry, loss of nipple-areola sensation, inability to breast feed, mal-positioning of the nipple-areola complex, mal-position of the implants, wound healing problems, tissue necrosis, loss of blood supply to the nipple-areola complexes.

Any of these complications may require further surgery, therefore, increasing the likelihood of revisionary surgery. It is important that the patient understands the principles behind any planned procedure of any breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery.

An understanding of the procedure will facilitate an understanding of the potential risks and complications when they occur. A well-informed patient may decide to stage the procedures (for example, perform the breast lifting operation initially followed by breast augmentation at a later date).

A well informed patient who decides to proceed with single stage breast augmentation/mastopexy procedure should understand the nature of the procedure, the increased potential risks and complication so the combined procedures (compared to the procedures performed individually), and the higher likelihood of revisionary surgery to correct imperfections that arise from the combined procedures.This revisionary surgery may impose additional discomfort, recovery time, time off of work and cost to the patient.

To summarize, single staged breast augmentation/mastopexy surgery carries increased risk compared to either of the procedures done separately. In order for the patient to make a well informed decision, it is necessary for her to understand the potential increased risks and complications as well as the potential need for further surgery when the single staged procedure is performed.

This will allow the patient an opportunity to proceed with two staged procedures (procedures done separately) or proceed with the single staged procedure with the increased risk of potential risk and complications and need for further surgery.

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