Many women find that aging, weight changes, weight loss, and pregnancy change the size, volume, and shape of their breasts. This can not only take a toll on your self-confidence, but it can also affect your life in other seemingly small ways, such as changing the way that your clothes fit your body form or what you are comfortable wearing or doing in public.
These changes can have a real impact on the way you feel about yourself, especially for those who’ve lost volume or experienced changes in breast appearance. The good news is there are cosmetic surgeries and options available to help you both look and feel your best. In fact, more and more women are looking to undergo plastic surgery procedures in order to enhance their breasts or restore them to their former youthful contour, breast shape, and feel.
Breast lift, breast augmentation, and breast implants are often discussed in the same category, but two of these breast procedures are very different. These procedures address different needs, and in some cases, a combined procedure is required. So if you are considering any of these procedures—or weighing a breast lift vs other options—it is important that you understand the difference. Read on to find out more.
What Is A Breast Lift Procedure?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that aims to reposition the breast tissue. It is a great way to address sagging breasts that appear to be drooping, a condition often referred to as breast ptosis. Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift surgery doesn’t change the amount of breast tissue itself, which makes it a good choice for women who are happy with the size of their natural breast tissue but want to change their breast position.
During this breast lift procedure, the surgeon focuses on removing excess skin and tightening the existing breast tissue to reshape the breast. This moves the breast tissue higher on the chest wall, creating a more lifted appearance. It can also address issues where the nipple points downward or the extra skin creates an unwanted breast fold. By tightening the skin envelope, the surgeon creates a firmer foundation for the natural breast tissue, often resulting in repositioned nipples that sit higher for a more youthful look.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that aims to increase the breast size and breast volume with the use of breast implants. Breast augmentation focuses on enhancement using implants that are usually made from silicone implants or saline implants. A breast augmentation increases cup size significantly, often by one or more sizes for the majority of women.
Unlike a breast lift, a breast augmentation will not change the actual position of the breasts significantly. While breast augmentation increases volume and can improve upper breast fullness, it cannot correct significant drooping on its own. Therefore, some women choose to combine these two procedures to achieve their desired breast enhancement result. Both silicone implants and saline implants are FDA approved medical devices designed to improve breast appearance.
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are essentially the central component of a breast augmentation. Both utilize silicone implants or saline implants to change the breast size and shape. The two phrases are often used under the umbrella term ‘breast augmentation’. When discussing breast lift vs breast implants, the key difference is volume. Implants add volume to the chest, whereas a lift simply reshapes what is already there. Saline implants work by being filled with sterile salt water, while silicone offers a feel more like natural tissue.
Which Procedure Is Best: Breast Augmentation VS Implants?
Breast implants and a breast augmentation are two very different procedures. Whether you choose one or both procedures depends on the aesthetic goals you are hoping to achieve. It is always best to schedule an initial consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, who will be able to advise you on the right procedure for you.
If you have mild asymmetry or struggle with breast symmetry, your surgeon can guide you. They will help you decide between a breast augmentation vs implants procedure based on whether you want to address sagging breasts or simply add volume.
Why May I Want To Combine The Two Procedures?
If you want to increase the volume of your breasts but you also want to correct sagging breasts or drooping breasts, then you may want to combine a breast lift and a breast augmentation. This is often called a breast augmentation combined with a lift. Many patients will choose to combine the two procedures, and both of these procedures can be carried out at the same time as a combined procedure or same procedure.
When combined, the two procedures should result in fuller, more lifted, and more beautiful breasts. This approach is ideal for women who have ample breast tissue but lack upper breast fullness due to breast drooping. By addressing both the excess skin and the lack of volume, you can achieve a more youthful contour and correct drooping tissue simultaneously.
Who Can Have Breast Surgery?
A good candidate for a breast lift surgery or breast augmentation will be as close as possible to their ideal weight. A significant weight loss or gain can impact breast appearance, so it is wise to maintain your weight consistently for around a year before undergoing surgery. A woman is usually advised to wait until she has had children and finished breastfeeding (if she chooses to breastfeed) before undergoing a breast augmentation or breast lift procedure.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breast size and structure can change, which can have an impact on the results of the surgery. Patients with significant ptosis—where the nipple falls below the breast crease—or those with a lot of extra skin are often better suited for a lift or combined procedure rather than just implants.
What Happens During Breast Implant Surgery?
A breast implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, though it is a slightly more involved surgical procedure than minor treatments. The breast surgery will usually last 1-2 hours and is usually performed under a general anesthetic, meaning that you shouldn’t feel a thing. Before your involved surgical procedure, you should discuss implant placement options, which will dictate where the incisions are made in order to insert the implants.
Incisions can be made under the breast, around the nipple, beneath the armpit, or in the navel. These methods make it easy to minimize scarring and conceal scar tissue. Experienced plastic surgeons will be able to advise you on the best placement for you. The breast implant is often placed underneath the chest muscle to improve the chest wall shape and provide a natural look. The exact placement should be discussed with your plastic surgeon, along with how to manage the surgical site and control swelling during recovery.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re considering a breast lift vs breast augmentation, always speak to an experienced surgeon who will be able to advise you on the best way to improve the breast shape and breast appearance and give you back your confidence. Whether you are interested in cosmetic surgeries or reconstructive surgery, contact our professional staff at Jim Brantner Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery today to.