Breast lift or Breast augmentation?
It’s a question that many potential patients ask. Both are procedures that many women love because of their ability to increase confidence by giving a more youthful, shapely silhouette. We’ve put together some helpful information on how to decide between a breast lift vs breast augmentation, and some of the frequently asked questions we get about these two procedures.
Understanding the Differences
First, it’s important to understand the differences between a breast augmentation and breast lift. From a big-picture perspective, a breast augmentation increases the size of your breasts with implants, while a breast lift changes the shape and position of your existing breast tissue.
Breast lift vs breast augmentation: how the operations are performed
A breast lift is performed by making an incision in each breast, and carefully lifting the breast skin & tissue. In lifting the skin we can create a more tight, firm breast shape. We then close the incisions with the skin tightened, and the breasts retain their new placement. There are no foreign bodies implanted during a breast lift. A breast augmentation, on the other hand, involves the placement of implants into the breasts to increase their size. Surgeons use saline or silicone implants that are FDA approved, and are very safe and effective when placed by experienced surgeons. During breast augmentation surgery, small incisions are made through which the implants are placed.
Breast lift vs breast augmentation: what kind of results to expect
With a breast lift you can expect your breasts to be more firm, lifted, and perky. If your nipples were pointing downward, a breast lift will generally correct this. A breast lift can restore the fullness to breasts that is virtually impossible to achieve without a procedure. While a breast lift will not change the volume of your breasts, you may opt to have a breast augmentation or reduction at the same time as the lift. If you have a breast augmentation, your results will include larger, more full breasts. Surgeons are able to offer anything from the smallest increase in size to a substantial increase in size. Expert surgeons will work with you to determine the best implants for your body type and goals.
Whether you have a breast lift or breast augmentation, it is important to be patient when you’re hoping to see your final results. The majority of the swelling and bruising should subside within a few weeks of either surgery, but it is very common to have some swelling for months. Until your healing process is complete, you will not be able to get a true idea of your final results.
Breast lift vs breast augmentation: good candidates
Although a breast lift and breast augmentation have important differences, there are some overlap in the qualities that make a person a good candidate for each procedure. These include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Being in good overall health
- Having a stable weight (if you intend to lose weight, it’s best to wait until after you’ve reached your goal weight to have either surgery)
- Not planning to get pregnant in the near future (while either operation can be done before pregnancy, if you are planning to get pregnant soon it may be better to wait on surgery. Being pregnant and breastfeeding can affect your results - especially with a breast lift - so it’s important to ask about the timing of being pregnant and these procedures)
- Having realistic expectations of the results
To best determine which operation you are a candidate for, and what results you can expect, contact our offices for a consultation.
Breast lift vs augmentation: frequently asked questions
Can I have a breast lift and breast augmentation at the same time?
Yes, many patients find that a breast lift and breast augmentation combination procedure is the best option for them. If you want both an increase in size and a more tight, lifted silhouette, this combo may be a good option. This is a common procedure for women who have lost a substantial amount of weight, or for those who feel their breasts have a ‘deflated’ look after pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Should I get a breast lift or breast augmentation if I have sagging breasts?
For sagging breasts, a breast lift is usually the better option. During a breast lift, some skin is removed from each breast, which allows for lifting the breast tissue and creating a more firm breast shape. A breast lift alone does not change the size of the breasts, but instead changes the shape of the breasts. Many women find that a breast lift is the right choice to give them a more youthful silhouette.
Should I get a breast lift or breast augmentation if I lost a lot of weight?
For women who have lost a substantial amount of weight, breast sagging or drooping is often an issue. One reason we see sagging of the breasts is that when you lose weight, you lose weight from your breasts as well. In many cases the skin does not have the elasticity to shrink as the breast tissue volume decreases. This is why women may be left with excess skin after weight loss. In these cases, women often opt for a breast lift to remove excess skin and lift the breasts. This is also a situation where some women choose to have a breast augmentation as well. This decision will depend on how much weight you lost from your breasts, whether this has created a disproportionate body shape, and your goals for your post-surgery breast appearance. While some women feel that a breast lift alone will give them the breast appearance they are hoping for, others find that they’ve lost too much weight in their breast area, and combine a lift with an augmentation as well.
If you are interested in either an increase in breast size or improvements in the shape of your breasts, get in touch with us. We are happy to educate you on the procedures we offer, and how these can help you address sagging, asymmetry, ‘deflated’ breasts, or smaller breasts than you want. Our highly-trained, experienced, and compassionate surgeons are available for consultations.
