Breast lift and breast augmentation procedures can significantly improve the appearance of your breasts, but what is the difference between them?
If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, read on to discover more about these popular procedures and how each could boost your body confidence.
Breast Lift Surgery
The breast lift, or mastopexy, provides a surgical solution to breast ptosis, a common issue that affects women after weight changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding have overstretched the skin, leaving droopy breasts.
Hormonal changes after menopause may also cause significant sagging with skin laxity and a reduction in the firmness of the breast tissue, while some women have sagging breasts due to genetics.
How a breast lift can help
During a breast lift procedure, your surgeon will
- Remove excess skin and fat from the breasts
- Remodel the existing breast tissue to create a more aesthetically pleasing shape and youthful contour
- Lift sagging breasts to a more youthful position on the chest
- Reposition downward-pointing nipples to complement the new breast shape
A breast uplift procedure cannot
- Add volume to the breasts or increase breast size
- Create substantial cleavage
Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?
If you are concerned about the appearance of sagging breasts, this popular surgical procedure may be for you.
The ideal candidate
- Is looking for a natural-looking result
- Does not want bigger breasts
- Can maintain a stable weight
- Is in good health
- Realises that while breast lift offers a long-lasting result, the benefits may ultimately be affected by future weight changes and natural ageing
Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants
The breast augmentation or enlargement procedure, often called a boob job, has become one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures worldwide because many women would prefer to have bigger or more rounded breasts.
Your surgeon will insert saline or silicone implants above or below the chest muscle to add volume and shape to the breasts.
The benefits of breast augmentation
- Creates bigger breasts in a straightforward procedure
- The use of saline or silicone implants to add breast volume allows women to choose a variety of cup sizes and breast shapes
- Restores upper breast fullness
- May have a positive impact on mild sagging
Breast augmentation does not
- change breast position
- correct significant ptosis
- change the position of the nipple
Am I a good candidate for breast enlargement?
This may be an appropriate surgical procedure for you if,
- You want to have larger breasts
- You want to have upper breast fullness
- You are in good health
- You understand that breast implants do not last forever and may need implant removal and replacement in the future
Recovery, risks, and potential complications for breast lift vs breast augmentation surgery
Most of our patients have an initial recovery period of six to eight weeks, after which they feel ready to resume their normal routine and level of activity under their surgeon’s guidance.
While both procedures carry the usual risks of surgery, such as infection, swelling, and bruising, there are other factors to consider.
Breast lift surgery
Breast lift surgery is a more invasive surgical procedure than breast augmentation. While the interior of the breast is accessed via discreet incisions in the breast crease during a boob job, a breast lift requires more extensive incisions, which may mean your skin takes longer to recover and may result in scars that can take up to 18 months to fade.
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation with implants carries unique risks like implant rupture and capsular contracture that may require implant removal in the future.
Combining a breast uplift and breast enlargement with implants
Sagging breasts, lost volume, and a lowered breast position can be addressed at the same time in a combined procedure often called a breast augmentation mastopexy.
You may be an ideal candidate for this combined procedure if,
- You want to have loose skin removed but don’t want to lose any volume from your breasts
- You want more upper breast fullness than can be achieved with a breast lift alone
- You have previously had a boob job with breast implants, but your skin has sagged, and you want to restore your breasts to a more youthful position.
Many patients prefer to have their procedures at the same time to benefit from a single recovery period. It can also be more economical to have your breast augmentation and lift procedures at the same time.
Your breast surgery consultation at Coppergate Clinic
Our surgeons have extensive experience with all sorts of breast enhancement procedures and will be able to advise you on the best way to achieve your desired results.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss exactly what you want from your procedure. Are you happy with subtle enhancement, or do you want to make a more dramatic impact? Does the level of breast ptosis suggest that you need a combined procedure?
Other factors such as your skin elasticity and the position of your nipples will also be considered when choosing the best procedure for your aesthetic goals.
Why not book a consultation today to find out more about breast enhancement surgery?
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