Breast Augmentation with Lift in Farmington Hills

What the combined procedure addresses

A breast lift on its own repositions and reshapes sagging breast tissue, and it cannot significantly increase breast size or restore lost volume. Implants on their own add size and may not adequately correct moderate to severe sagging (ptosis). Augmentation mastopexy combines the two for breasts that have changed with pregnancy, weight fluctuation or aging.

The procedure involves:

• removing excess, stretched skin
• reshaping the existing breast tissue
• repositioning the nipple and areola to a higher position
• inserting implants selected to add volume and shape

Why combine the two

• Position and volume together — sagging and volume loss are addressed in the same operation.
• One recovery period — a single healing process instead of recovering from two separate surgeries.
• Upper pole fullness — lifting and augmenting together can create projection and upper pole fullness that neither procedure achieves alone.
• Support for the lift — properly placed implants can help the lift result last longer.
• Cost — combining procedures typically costs less than having them performed separately.

Am I a good candidate?

The combined procedure is often considered by women with:

• sagging and reduced volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• deflated, drooping breasts after significant weight loss
• loss of firmness and fullness with age
• naturally sagging breasts or asymmetry present from birth

Suitable candidates are generally in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery, at a stable weight near their target, realistic about what the procedure can achieve, and committed to following post-operative instructions.

At consultation, Dr. Hardaway examines the degree of sagging, skin elasticity, existing breast tissue and overall proportions. That assessment decides whether a combined procedure suits you, or whether a breast lift or breast augmentation on its own is the better fit.

How the procedure is performed

Before surgery, Dr. Hardaway takes measurements to plan implant size, type and placement, and discusses silicone or saline, round or anatomical shape, and placement above or below the muscle.

The operation is an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia in the practice’s QUAD A accredited surgical suite. It typically takes two to four hours, depending on the specifics of the procedure.

• Incisions — periareolar (around the areola), vertical (lollipop) or anchor (inverted-T), chosen according to the degree of sagging and the desired outcome.
• Reshaping — excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is reshaped and repositioned.
• Nipple repositioning — the nipple and areola are moved higher on the breast mound.
• Implant placement — implants are placed above or below the chest muscle, depending on anatomy and goals.
• Final contouring — the breast tissue is shaped around the implant, with attention to symmetry and keeping visible scarring to a minimum.

Implant options

• Saline — filled with sterile saltwater after placement, so incisions can be smaller. Firmer to the touch than silicone. If a rupture occurs, the saline is absorbed by the body. FDA-approved for patients 18 and older.
• Silicone gel — cohesive gel with a more natural look and feel, and less likely to ripple or show implant edges. FDA-approved for patients 22 and older. Requires regular MRI screening to check implant integrity.
• Highly cohesive silicone — form-stable “gummy bear” implants that keep their shape even if the shell breaks and are less likely to wrinkle. Available in round and anatomical (teardrop) shapes, and an option for thin patients with minimal breast tissue.

Profile sets how far the implant projects from the chest wall. A low profile has a wider base and less projection, a moderate profile balances width and projection, and a high profile has a narrower base and the most projection.

Subglandular placement (above the muscle) has an easier recovery but may show implant edges in thin patients. Submuscular placement (below the muscle) gives a more natural upper pole and better mammogram visibility. Dual-plane placement combines the two. At consultation you can see and feel different implant types before deciding.

Recovery

First week. You wake up in a surgical bra that provides gentle compression and support. Discomfort, swelling and bruising are normal and managed with prescribed pain medication. Small drains may be placed temporarily. Most patients go home the same day. Rest, limit arm movement and sleep on your back.

Weeks 1 to 3. Stitches are typically removed within 7 to 10 days, and most patients return to desk jobs within one to two weeks. Light activities can resume, avoiding lifting anything over 5 pounds. You move from a surgical bra to a supportive sports bra as Dr. Hardaway advises.

Weeks 4 to 6. Most patients resume normal daily activities. Exercise is reintroduced gradually, starting with lower-body workouts, and strenuous exercise is avoided for four to six weeks. Breast sensitivity typically improves.

The breasts settle into their final position over three to six months as swelling resolves and the implants settle. Scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months. Maintaining a stable weight, a healthy lifestyle, attending follow-up appointments and wearing supportive bras, especially during exercise, all help the result last.

Risks

Combining the two procedures is technically more complex than either one alone. Potential risks include those of any surgery, such as infection, bleeding and scarring, along with implant-specific concerns such as capsular contracture or implant displacement. Some scarring is unavoidable.

Your surgeon

Dr. Hardaway is a board-certified plastic surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.) and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University.