Do I Need a Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?
If you’re considering making a change to the appearance of your breasts, you’ve likely spent some time researching, talking to friends, and may have even picked out a specific procedure and implant style.
But during a consultation, patients often end up learning that what they had in mind (such as breast augmentation) isn’t going to give them the results they want, and that they would actually benefit most from another procedure (such as a breast lift) or a combination of procedures. While hearing this can be a surprise, it’s important to be open to what an experienced surgeon recommends because when it comes to breast enhancement options, every woman should get a customized procedure plan.
Curious if a breast lift or augmentation is the best option for you? You’ll want to consult in person with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery who can make personalized recommendations based on your proportions and desired final look. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about the most common breast concerns and which procedures are most likely to help!
Concern: My breasts are perky, but they seem too small for my body.
Solution: Breast augmentation surgery. If you have naturally small breasts, you likely aren’t experiencing any sagging, which is great! Breast augmentation alone should provide you with great results. The placement of implants will help your breasts look fuller and more shapely.
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures with high patient satisfaction ratings for good reason. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic surgeon, breast augmentation is a very safe and effective option for enlarging the breasts. The procedure will be customized to achieve the perfect look for you by choosing just the right implant size and shape from amongst the many available breast implant options. Your surgeon will also advise you on the best incision and implant placement given your particular physique and goals.
Concern: I’m happy with the size of my breasts, but the shape isn’t what it used to be.
Solution: Breast lift. Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, and aging can all impact the elasticity of your skin. As skin is stretched or becomes lax as you age, your breasts may start to sag or develop a droopy appearance. Additionally, your nipples may “fall” and point downward, causing your breasts to look even droopier.
If you don’t require or want to add fullness to your breasts, a breast lift alone can help lift and reshape the breasts and reposition the nipple-areolar complex to a more youthful position. There are multiple breast lift techniques that can be used depending on the severity of your breast sagging and how you’d like your breasts to look after surgery.
Concern: I have moderate sagging after pregnancy, and my upper breasts look “deflated.”
Solution: Breast augmentation with lift. Sometimes, the best option is a combination of procedures. For many women, looser skin and loss of fullness in the upper breast lead to a droopy, aged, or deflated appearance. If this sounds familiar, you will likely benefit most from a breast lift plus breast augmentation.
By combining a breast lift with augmentation, the fullness and shape of the breast will be improved with implants while the position and contour of the breast will be corrected through lifting and tightening the breast skin. This is a great way to address multiple concerns and truly reshape your breasts.
While you may have been hoping to avoid the additional scars associated with a breast lift and prefer to get away with breast augmentation alone, you’ll be much happier with your results in the long-term if you correct breast sagging when adding fullness. This is because the added weight of breast implants can exacerbate sagging, which may mean you’ll end up revisiting the issue later. The good news is that breast lift with augmentation scars are easily hidden by typical bikini tops and, with proper care, they will fade over time until they are nearly imperceptible.
Finding the Best Options for You
Exploring your options and picking out a few general procedures of interest is a great idea, but it’s important to speak in-person with an experienced cosmetic surgeon about your concerns and goals. A surgeon with years of experience in cosmetic breast surgery will be qualified to help you learn more about procedures and how they can benefit you.
If you’re in the Rancho Cucamonga area, contact us to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Jacob Haiavy, Dr. Irene Tower, or Dr. Emma Ryan You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about your options, and even “try on” breast implants! We look forward to hearing from you.
