As a woman, your body goes through many changes, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding and as a result of aging or dramatic weight loss. In all these instances your breasts can start to sag, deflate or droop downwards.
While experiencing these changes is completely normal, you may consider having cosmetic surgery to restore your breasts’ youthful perkiness. You may also be wondering if you need a breast augmentation or a breast lift. To learn more about the differences in each procedure and help you decide which one you may need, use this article as your guide. However, an actual consultation with a plastic surgeon will answer any question that applies to you specifically.
What Is the Difference Between a Breast Augmentation and a Breast Lift?
Breast augmentation refers to the process of enlarging the breasts using breast implants. This is ideal for you if you feel like your breasts are too small or you recently lost a lot of weight and you want to make your breasts firmer and fuller. On the other hand, a breast lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that works better if you lost breast volume and your nipples are pointing downward. This procedure tightens your breasts’ loose skin and repositions breast tissue so the nipples are lifted up and point forward.
What Factors Should I Consider When Deciding Which Procedure to Get?
Breast size
You may have always wanted to have bigger breasts or you wanted them more symmetrical. Regardless of the reason why you are unhappy with your current breast size or if you find your breast asymmetrical (one visibly is larger than the other), breast augmentation is what can usually correct these issues. Your plastic surgeon will discuss with you all of your implant options during your consultation so you can achieve your desired breast size and correct any difference in size between the two breasts.
Nipple position
Your nipples can change position by stretching or getting bigger due to sagging tissues, the loss of volume, or an increased weight in the lower pole. If you notice that your nipples point downward or sit below your breast crease, you may want to consider getting a breast lift. With this procedure, your plastic surgeon can reposition your nipples to a more upward position, and can also reduce the enlarged areolas by excising the skin at the perimeter.
Volume
Losing a large amount of weight can certainly mean that you are now leading a healthier lifestyle. However, a drastic weight loss can leave your breasts looking deflated, which can make you self-conscious.
If you are uncomfortable with your sagging breasts, you may be a good candidate for a breast lift. This is especially ideal if you gave birth, have breastfed, or have experienced a dramatic weight loss. All these circumstances can cause your breasts to get bigger, and then deflate quickly leaving a lot of loose skin behind. By getting a breast lift, you can eliminate the loose skin and reposition your nipples so that your breasts are raised.
Can I Get Both Procedures?
A breast lift will not change the size of your breasts. To enlarge your breasts you will need to have a breast augmentation. That is why often a breast lift and a breast augmentation are combined into a single procedure to attain your desired results and help you save money and time spent in recovery. On the other hand, people also get a breast lift years after having had a breast augmentation.
Conclusion
Experiencing deflated or drooping breasts is part of being a woman. However, if you are bothered to the point that you feel self-conscious about your breasts, you always have the option to get a breast lift. On the other hand, if what bothers you the most is your breast size and shape, a breast augmentation procedure is what you should look into. Just remember the information in this post so you can get a better idea of what option fits your needs and preferences the best, discuss every option with your plastic surgeon and get your desired results.
Enhance your natural beauty and feel more confident about yourself with help from Peninsula Plastic Surgery. We offer breast lift and breast augmentation in Torrance, the South Bay, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula in California. Schedule a free cosmetic consultation today!