Breast lift procedures and breast augmentation procedures are two very different types of surgeries. However, it is not unusual for a woman to undergo both procedures. The main factors in determining which procedure makes the most sense for you are the size, volume, and appearance of your breasts and if they bother you.
If something about your breasts is bothering you, but you cannot pinpoint precisely what, your plastic surgeon can help you with clarifying your treatment goals when it comes down to a breast lift versus breast augmentation.
During your consultation, your surgeon will assist you in determining which procedure is needed to achieve your desired look. In some cases, this may mean a combination of both procedures.
No matter the case, it is your body and you will be left with the result.
So make sure that you do everything that you can to ensure that the procedures that you undergo are completely individualized around you and your unique goals and desires.
Breast Lift
The breast lift procedure is used to raise sagging breasts by modifying the size, elevation, and contours of the breasts. If the woman is looking to improve the proportions of her bust, tissue viability of the nipple area is important to ensure that lactation and breast-feeding remains possible.
A breast lift procedure is a type of surgery involving cutting and removing excess tissues and placing the nipple-areola complex into a higher position.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure that uses breast implants or fat grafts to increase the size of the breasts, as well as their shape and texture. It can be used to repair congenital breast defects or to enhance the appearance of the woman.
Combining Procedures
Your plastic surgeon will offer recommendations and outline your treatment options so that you have a clear understanding of the consequences of the choices that you will be making about a breast lift or breast augmentation. In some cases, one or the other may be enough to help you reach your treatment goals. Otherwise, your surgeon can offer an individual solution combining both a breast lift and breast augmentation procedure.
Since some women have bodies that are not symmetrical, it is common for each breast to have a slightly different procedure performed upon it.
For example, you may need a lift bringing both breasts into an improved alignment, or you may require a larger breast implant on one side or the other. The possible combinations are virtually endless, particularly when you consider the sizes, types, and insertion procedures of each implant type.
To simplify your choices, take care in choosing a talented and experienced plastic surgeon with good communication skills. By carefully thinking through your treatment options, you should be able to find a solution that meets your needs.
Don’t forget that the type of breast surgery that works for you could be very different from what other women with a similar appearance may want or need. This further highlights the importance of selecting a surgeon who has your best interests at heart and has the ability to explain all of your treatment options regarding a breast lift versus breast augmentation.
Breast Lift Results and Recovery
Undergoing a breast lift procedure without implants leads to results that are very natural-looking. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, women undergoing breast lift procedures have an average satisfaction rate of 99 percent.
How long your breast lift results will last is dependent upon a range of factors, like your age, health, dietary habits, and genetics. Becoming pregnant following a breast lift procedure may result in some negative impacts.
One way to prolong the results of your breast lift procedure is to take good care of your skin since skin elasticity prevents sagging. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. It also helps to take supplements like vitamin C and E that are known to build collagen and elastin, two components of youthful, elastic skin.
Another critical aspect of prolonging breast lift results is to avoid extreme weight fluctuations. This tends to stretch the skin and detract from the results of a breast lift procedure.
You will also want to make sure that you wear a well-fitting bra to provide support and keep your breasts in a youthful, perky position.
It is normal to experience some increase in nipple sensation right after a breast lift procedure, which should return to normal fairly quickly.
When it comes to the longevity of results, it depends upon the patient. Generally, breast lift results are known to last up to 10 years or more if proper care is practiced.
On Scars
The breast lift procedure normally involves moving the nipple into a new position for a perkier, but still natural appearance. One part of the scar will effectively be hidden by the breast crease, while the edge of the areola hides the other. The connecting scar between the two incision sites normally fades over time into a thin line.
Recovery Tips
- Carefully follow all of your plastic surgeon’ s instructions.
- Take all pain medication and required prescriptions as directed.
- Take one or two weeks off from work.
- Wear clothes that fit loosely.
- Do not touch or remove your bandages.
- Limit vigorous physical activity, and avoid sleeping on your side or belly for six weeks.
Breast Augmentation: Results and Recovery
To achieve natural-looking results following a breast augmentation, you should begin with your anatomy. Your implants must fit you the same way that your clothing does. This is one reason why you should not enter your consultation having already made up your mind about the size of your breast implants.
For the most natural results, thorough measurements must be performed first. Choosing an implant size that is too large may lead to unnatural results.
One critical factor in getting the best results from a breast augmentation procedure is to maintain your current weight. Your surgeon will have selected an implant size that matches your anatomy at the time of your initial consultation. Undergoing weight fluctuations can change those proportions, potentially impacting the results of your breast augmentation.
Immediately following breast augmentation surgery, it is natural for implants to rest in a high position and feel hard. Your nipples may even point downward initially. Rest assured that, over time, your breast implants will begin softening and settling into a more desirable position. They should take on a more settled appearance in around six weeks after your procedure.
It is impossible to accurately predict how long the results of a breast augmentation will last. Generally, augmentations can last for 10 years or longer. Some women even have results that last up to 20 years.
Scarring
Getting breast implants without a lift leads to similar incisions as seen in a breast lift procedure. For some, the implants can be placed into a small incision under the arm.
Be sure to carefully follow your surgeon’s recommendations about caring for your incisions. Your bandages will probably remain in place for the first week. They can be removed at a follow-up appointment when you will receive instructions for caring for them while they are healing. Carefully follow these instructions to prevent excessive scarring.
What are the costs of a breast lift procedure compared to a breast augmentation?
According to the most recent statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average breast lift procedure costs $5,012, while the average cost of a breast augmentation is $4,516.
The Takeaway
Both breast lift and breast augmentation procedures have high patient satisfaction rates among women. To determine which procedure makes the most sense for you and your unique treatment goals, you must carefully weigh all of the factors involved with each procedure. Take part in a consultation with your plastic surgeon and ask any questions that you may have so that you find the best possible procedure to improve your appearance.
