Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation: What’s the Difference

Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation: Many women are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts. Whether it’s because of weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or aging, the breasts can lose volume or sag and droop, hurting a woman’s self-confidence.

Fortunately, there are ways to address these problems – a breast lift vs breast augmentation can improve the appearance of the breasts and make the patient feel proud of her body again.

 

Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation

Below is more information about breast lift and breast augmentation procedures and the differences between them.

Breast Lift Overview

As women age, have children, or breastfeed, the skin of the breasts can stretch, which leads to sagging and drooping. But a breast lift can correct this problem by lifting them higher on the chest to their position when the woman was younger.

A breast lift is the best procedure for those who have breasts that sag or droop. Adding volume to sagging breasts with breast augmentation will only make them sag more.

Breast Pencil Test

An easy way to determine if you need this procedure is the pencil test breast. If you place a pencil under the breastfold and it stays there, you have some degree of breast drooping.

If the nipple is below the pencil, there is a significant amount of drooping, and you’re probably an excellent candidate for a breast lift.

There are three types of breast lift surgery that your surgeon will consider for you:

Periareolar

This type of incision goes around the areolar shape of the woman. It’s usually the best option for someone with large areolas and a small amount of breast drooping.

This procedure also benefits from hiding the incisions in the areolas, so the scars are almost invisible.

Vertical Breast Reduction

This uses the same incision as for the periareolar procedure but also goes down from the areola, so there is more lift for a woman with moderate sagging.

Inverted T-Incision

This procedure uses the same incisions as the other two options, including an incision in the breastfold.

The inverted-T incision is used most frequently because it allows for the most breast lift. But which procedure is best for you depends on the size of your breasts and how much sagging there is.

Breast Augmentation Overview

If you want larger breasts, breast augmentation is required. When you are thinking about breast augmentation recovery, there are four things that your plastic surgeon will consider:

Implant And Incision Placement

There are three types of incisions surgeons use for breast augmentation:

• Inframammary: under the breast fold
• Trans-axillary: in the armpit
• Periareolar: around the nipple

Each type of incision has advantages and disadvantages. Most surgeons use the inframammary incision because it gives them the most access to the tissues of the breasts.

Many surgeons also say this incision type has the fewest complications and the scar is hidden in the breastfold.

Implant Shape And Size

There are many implant sizes and shapes today. Some of the factors that determine the best implant for you include the shape of your chest wall, your activity level, and your personal goals.

Your plastic surgeon will talk to you about what you want from breast augmentation so you can choose the best implant.

Many surgeons don’t recommend going up more than two sizes. They say that anything bigger may look unnatural and can make it too difficult to exercise.

Implant Types

The two major types are silicone and saline, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

Silicone implants usually cost more and need a larger incision. But they usually feel more natural and are a good choice for women who don’t have much natural breast tissue.

Saline implants are a good choice if you have more breast tissue because they can increase volume and shape without changing the feel. Saline also allows a smaller incision because the shell is filled with saline after it’s placed in the chest.

In the past, there were concerns about leaks from silicone implants. But silicone implants today usually contain a firm gel-like substance that stays in the implant shell if there is a rupture.

• See Also BREAST AUGMENTATION AFTER KIDS?

Which Procedure Is Better Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation?

A breast lift and breast augmentation have advantages and disadvantages. Keep in mind that breast augmentation concerns the size and shape of the breasts and won’t fix sagging breasts.

A breast lift concerns the breast’s position and won’t increase the size.

Many patients decide to have a breast lift and breast augmentation simultaneously so their breasts can be raised to a more natural position. And, volume can be increased with breast implants.

Undergoing breast augmentation with a lift can give you more breast fullness while also improving sagging breasts.

If you decide to have one or both of these procedures, you may also want to undergo other procedures to save time and money. Some popular choices are a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, and Brazilian butt lift.

Request A Breast Surgery Consultation

Interested in breast surgery consultation? Dr. Scott J Farber or Dr. Amita Shah of Hill Country Plastic Surgery can help. They’ll go over the options, goals, and more to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for a breast lift or breast augmentation.

 

 

 

References

• Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/breast-augmentation-vs-breast-lift-picking-the-right-procedure-for-you