Comparing Breast Lifts to Breast Augmentation: Which Will Be Best for You?

Women have been aware for quite some time about the availability and growing affordability of breast implants. This procedure has been able to transform many womens lives and remains the most popular form of cosmetic surgery. But, this procedure isn’t always the best choice for everyone.

A lesser known procedure, however, called a breast lift, has recently grown in popularity, the number of procedures nearly doubling since the year 2000. Even so, many women are still unaware that this newer procedure has become available to them.

So, who is the best candidate for breast augmentation, and who is the best candidate for a breast lift, and what are the differences?

Why choose breast augmentation?

In the 2013 alone, over 23,000 breast augmentations were performed. Breast augmentation has been one of the highest ranking cosmetic procedures for decades and has continued to increase in popularity as more and more women are receiving breast rejuvenating procedures.

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure in which an implant of either silicone or saline is placed behind the breast tissue or under the muscle resting above the chest wall. Fat injections are also becoming more and more popular to achieve larger breasts. The purpose is to enlarge and reshape the breasts to a desired symmetry and size.

Breast augmentation procedures are best for women that wish to have larger breasts for cosmetic reasons, or for women whose weight loss, age, or previous pregnancies have affected the size of their breasts. Decreased volume of breast tissue may be restored by breast implants.

The best candidates for this procedure are women who want to increase the size of their breasts, while also adding lift and firmness.

Why choose a breast lift?

While breast implants remain the most popular form of cosmetic surgery, breast lifts have been growing in popularity in recent years. In fact, according the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast lift procedures have grown in popularity by 70% since the year 2000.

Most women that request the procedure are those that have had multiple children and are experiencing decreased breast volume and considerable sagging. The breast lift process is able to get rid of excess skin and lift the breast back up to where they are supposed to be.

A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and using sutures to reshape the breast tissue and re-drape the surrounding skin. A breast lift does not increase the size of the breast and will generally be unable to round out the upper portion of the breast. The best candidate is a women who already has a sizable amount of breast tissue left, but that tissue is sagging.

Dr. Robert X. Murphy, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests that women do a pencil test to guide their decisions about what type of surgery they would like. Women should place a pencil under their breast. If the breast tissue is able to hold the pencil in place, it’s a good sign that a breast lift is a viable option for her. This hanging, or sagging, is exactly the sort of condition that a breast lift was designed to correct.

The best candidates for a breast lift are women that are not looking to necessarily increase their breast size but wish to correct their sagging breast tissue.

Taking the next steps…

It’s normal for breast tissue to sag as women age, and some women may need cosmetic surgery to address the issue. It’s at this point that the a plastic surgeon will discuss with the woman whether a breast lift or breast implants will be a better fit for her goals.

Naturally, plastic surgeons are familiar with both types of procedures and will be able to counsel you on which procedure is best able to fulfill your goals. In some instances, the breast lift and breast implants will be performed at the same time. This is especially true of women that have had a massive weight loss or extreme sagging due to breast feeding multiple children. Deflation and sagging tissue can be rectified by a dual procedure of both lifting the tissue and placing implants to fill out the breast pocket.

Your plastic surgeon will have the experience to advise if you will make a good candidate for either one, or both, of these procedures. A good surgeon will not only understand your desires, but will also help to demonstrate what possibilities are available for you. Consider having a free consultation with Dr. McIntosh regarding either of these breast surgeries to discuss how you can become a more beautiful, more radiant version of you.

How do I decide which option is best for me?

The best way to determine which treatment option is right for you is to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as Dr. Bryan McIntosh, who will provide you with a personalized treatment plan, and whose staff will assist you in every step of pre-treatment, the procedure, and recovery.