If you want to improve volume loss, sagging, or asymmetry in your breasts, you have many options. When choosing between breast implants or a breast lift to improve these issues, you might wonder what their differences are. Can breast augmentation help sagging breasts? Will a breast lift increase the size of your breasts?
In this post, we’ll explain each procedure’s benefits and limitations, so you can better assess your breast lift vs. augmentation options.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation?
In most cases, your plastic surgeon places implants in your breasts to add fullness to your breasts and improve their shape. Some implant choices available are saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants. You can also choose your implant’s shape, size, and profile.
These before and after breast augmentation photos show how the procedure reshapes and adds volume to the breasts.
If you want only a natural increase in breast size, you might also consider fat transfer to the breast. In this procedure, your surgeon uses liposuction to extract unwanted fat from one area of your body. They then purify the fat and strategically inject it into the breasts for added fullness. Fat transfer to the breast is a great augmentation option for patients that desire more symmetry and natural cleavage.
Breast Concerns That Breast Augmentation Can Improve
Breast augmentation can increase the size of your breasts, improve breast asymmetry, and address tubular breasts. Your plastic surgeon will help you select the right implant size based on your current breast size and overall proportions.
Dr. Walters uses VECTRA’s imaging software during your consultation to create a 3D digital simulation of your expected result after surgery. This gives patients the opportunity to see what different sizing will look like on their own bodies. We offer additional information about choosing the right implant size in a previous blog.
Can Breast Augmentation Improve Breast Sagging?
When the breast implant is placed in your breast, its volume sometimes improves mild breast sagging. However, it cannot tighten the skin, remove excess skin, or address moderate to severe sagging (ptosis). A breast lift is the best procedure to tighten and uplift sagging breasts.
How Does a Breast Lift Work?
During a breast lift or mastopexy, your plastic surgeon trims sagging skin and tightens the remaining tissue to lift your breasts to a more youthful position. They will choose the incision type that achieves the best results with minimal scarring. A breast lift can also reduce or lift your areola to better suit your reshaped and repositioned breast.
Check out these breast lift before and after photos to see how our patients improved their breasts with a breast lift.
Can a Breast Lift Increase Breast Size?
A breast lift can give your breasts a perky and lifted appearance, but it can’t improve breast size alone. In fact, the removal of excess skin may cause your breasts to look slightly smaller than their original size. If you have smaller breasts, good skin elasticity, and don’t want to reduce the size of your breasts further, breast augmentation is probably a better choice for you.
Should I Combine Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift?
If your goals are to increase the size of your breasts and improve sagging, you can combine the two procedures. Not everyone will be a good candidate for a combination procedure, so talk to your plastic surgeon. You might also consider adding body contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck or liposuction to improve your silhouette. This combination of a breast procedure, liposuction, tummy tuck, and typically fat transfer – also known as “the MODERN Mommy Makeover” – is one of Dr. Walters’ specialties.
Your breast goals are unique. Understanding the differences between a breast lift and augmentation and consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you make the right choice. To learn more, request a consultation at our Metairie practice or call us at (504) 517-6200 to schedule an appointment.
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