Yes, you have to stage for this very large size. Stage means separate surgeries. If you want that size, I didn't know they made that size and would never use that size. Don't waste your money putting in smaller ones now unless your doc thinks you have to stretch the skin gradually.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Dr. Stein will usually do both procedures at the same time. Each doctor varies and will give you his approach.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

1500 cc implants have an extremely high incidence of complications; they stretch and thin the breast tissues. Because they are saline, they have a high likelihood of rippling. Because they are so heavy, they have a high likelihood of recurring droopiness (which leads to more surgery), and they are associated with a higher likelihood of decreased nipple sensation. Therefore, they are discouraged by most board-certified plastic surgeons.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. I agree with the physician that you consulted with originally. A breast augmentation and breast lift can be safely performed together. In your case, with a large amount of breast tissue and breast ptosis (sagging), I recommend performing a breast reduction/ lift to reshape your breasts first. If your goal is to have the appearance of an "augmented" breast (round and full), then waiting 6 months to perform an breast augmentation (implants) is an acceptable treatment plan to minimize complications. Performing two operations over a period of time is what is meant by "staging".

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I appreciate your question.

Without photos, it is difficult to comment. I would recommend you speak to your surgeon and stage the procedures as he/she recommends.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, you certainly can return after a lift/reduction and have implants placed for shape and sizing. Staging is when you have a lift and then implants done in two procedures spaced several months apart. Months is a good amount of time to wait to allow the first surgery results to settle.

I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. Without a physical exam, it is difficult for me to provide you with a concrete recommendation.

Staging refers to the separation of two or more procedures, and this can be either on the same body part or on different areas. In the case of your breasts, if you have a significant amount of breast ptosis or sag, your doctor may have recommended waiting several months to place an implant due to the great distance that he/she would have to lift the breasts. It is also possible that your surgeon is recommending to stage your breast surgeries because of the very large size implant that you are hoping to have placed. It might also be possible that you will require a three-step, or three-stage, surgery: the first to lift your breasts, the second to place a breast implant to help expand the breast pocket over the course of several months to accommodate a 1500cc implant, and then the third would be to place your final and desired size implants.

I would recommend consulting with board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in breast lift and breast implant procedures. I would also highly recommend discussing the very large size implant you are hoping to have placed as well, since some surgeons might not be well-experienced using such a size implant. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I don't put implants in that are that large. There are too many problems with them over the long term.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for sharing. The issue here is that breast tissues requiring a lift do not usually have a long lasting result with very large breast implants. 800 cc is presently the largest size in the US. There will be a ~1400 cc implant eventually. Sagging breast skin tends to stretch and sag more with large implants. Discuss this with your local board-certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I would really need to see photos of your breasts now. Do you have implants in place and what size are they? When was your last surgery on your breasts? What is your ultimate goal? Do you have saline or silicone? Are you more concerned about the volume or the shape, or both?

As you may know, I specialize in XL breast implants and am able to get almost any size custom silicone implants for my patients as well as tissue expanders. I recommend either sending me more information or even setting up a complimentary FACETIME or SKYPE consultation to help answer your questions. Thanks and I look forward to helping you further.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Staging means to do the breast lift and breast augmentation at different times. I recommend doing the implants first, so that size has been established, and then go back in 3 to 6 months to do the lift.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Good morning!

I perform over 200 XL augmentations a year and I can tell you with 100% certainty that you will need staged surgery. In other words, you will have your lift, perhaps even with a small set of implants, and then go bigger. Typically, my guess would be three stages to have a lift and reach the 1500cc level. Anything more aggressive is usually not safe.

Have a great day!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question.

Without an examination, it will be difficult to give you good advice. In general, a two-stage procedure is when the patient first has the breast lifting surgery and then returns for the breast implant portion of the surgery. Because you want the XL breast implant size, it may not be possible to place that large of an implant in one surgery, so you may actually need 3-4 surgeries. The first one would be to perform the breast lifting portion, after the incision lines have healed, return for your 2nd surgery to place breast implants (there are limits as to how large of an implant can be placed), and after you have healed and things have settled. If you are still interested in the larger size, return to the operating room for a larger size breast implant.

Again, this is general information as I do not know your specific case.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Without a proper examination, it is impossible to say what the best sequence of surgeries would be, or if you could even get up to 1500cc. Every frame and breast is different. That being said, if you are a saggy DD already, I would be surprised if someone would recommend anything more than a lift first. The bigger the lift needed, the more you need to reshape the architecture of the breast. That means more healing time, and that can be compromised by an implant underneath those tissues.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for the question. The combination of large implants and a breast lift is going to require either multiple procedures and/or some additional planning. It sounds like you have quite a bit of breast tissue already. It is going to be safer to perform a breast lift alone or with moderate sized implants and then reevaluate the possibility or desire for the larger implants you described. Internal support with dermal matrix may also be needed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

A patient with large, sagging breasts who needs a significant mastopexy or breast lift is not a great candidate for a mastopexy augmentation or a breast lift with breast implants. If further volume is desired after the mastopexy, a breast implant can easily be placed after about 3 months minimum. This staged procedure will help reduce the risk of scar issues related to skin stretch, ultimately leading to a better and safer result.

Published on Jul 11, 2012