Breast Lift & Augmentation Surgery from Dr. Moulton Barrett

Breast lift surgery is designed to improve the appearance of sagging or ptotic breasts. The Breast Lift and augmentation restores or adds volume to the breasts with saline or silicone breast implants. Dr. Rex Moulton-Barrett performs combination breast lift and augmentation in Alameda and Brentwood to increase breast size while improving breast shape.

To find out if a breast lift and augmentation is right for you, request a  consultation with Dr. Moulton-Barrett.

The etiology is varied and can be due to several components but gravity seems to be a common factor. Younger patients are more prone to ptosis if breast size is excessive or if the skin is thin. Ptosis in middle-aged patients usually is due to postpartum changes; the breast skin is stretched during lactation or engorgement, and afterward the breast gland atrophies, leaving loosened skin. Finally, in postmenopausal patients, further atrophy, gravity, loss of skin elasticity due to age, and weight gain are factors in creating breast ptosis.

In most instances, breast mastopexy has no true medical indication and is performed primarily for aesthetic reasons. The main exception to this is in postmastectomy reconstruction, when performing a mastopexy often is essential to achieving symmetry.

While descriptions of reduction mammoplasty were reported as early as Paulus of Aegina (625-690 AD), not until the late 19th century was emphasis placed on correcting ptosis of the breast. Much of the history of mastopexy parallels breast reduction, both attempt to alter the shape of the breast and skin envelope, and elevate the breast.

Wise (1956) defined the preoperative geometric marking system most commonly used today. Gonzalez-Ulloa (1960) first advocated mastopexy with augmentation for ptosis with hypoplasia or atrophy. Benelli (1990) reported the use of the periareolar round block or purse string mammoplasty. Hall-Findley (1999) used a medial-based pedicle modification of the vertical scar approach first described by Lassus (1970) as superior pedicle and popularized by Lejour (1994) with the use of breast liposuction.

Mastopexy presents one of the greatest challenges to the breast surgeon but previous techniques have drawbacks. Although breast implants may provide the upper pole projection patients often desire, they present specific risks and complications.

Mastopexy Augmentation: Superior Crescent

For patients with mild sagging, excess breast skin in the upper half of the breast, requesting no more than 2cm of nipple/areola lift and a normal amount of skin in the lower half, a semi-circular incision is made on the upper border of the areola. A crescent shaped piece of skin is removed, and when the skin edges are sewn back together, the nipple and areola are raised slightly (1 to 2 cms). A crescent mastopexy is best for women with only mild breast ptosis (sagging).

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