Aug 23rd, 2020

What’s the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Augmentation?

Women who are unhappy with the shape, size, or overall look of their breasts can opt for plastic surgery. If you’re considering surgery, you may not be sure about the differences between a breast lift and augmentation. Today, we review each plastic surgery type and how to choose the best one for you.

What Is a Breast Lift?

Also called a mastopexy, a breast lift is a procedure that addresses decreased volume, loose or sagging breasts, or stretched skin. These can occur as a result of aging, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.

Procedure and Recovery

Breast lift procedures take approximately three hours. You’re placed under general anesthesia and excess skin is removed. The nipple and areola are repositioned, and breast tissue is reshaped.

Recovery can take several weeks, and you’ll likely have small tubes inserted to drain excess fluid. It’s normal to experience manageable discomfort, pain, and soreness in the week following surgery.

Benefits and Results

The breast lift procedure restores the youthful look of your breasts, and the results of this surgery are immediate. While this surgery won’t enlarge your breasts, it will change their look in a more natural and subtle way because it involves the reshaping of your existing breast tissue.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, alters the size and shape of breasts via the insertion of an implant. Augmentation addresses cup size, decreased volume, or breasts that have become uneven due to weight loss, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.

Procedure and Recovery

Before breast augmentation surgery, you’ll choose your preferred size and type of implants. You’ll then be placed under anesthesia, and incisions will be made. The implant will then be inserted under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the existing breast tissue. The procedure requires up to two hours.

Following surgery, your breasts are wrapped in dressings, and you’ll wear a surgical bra to support healing and minimize swelling. Monitored recovery takes approximately one hour.

You’ll then make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon, and you may receive prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics.

Benefits and Results

There are many options for implant types and shapes, as well as different surgical techniques with breast augmentation. This procedure also allows for increased size and projection without an unnatural look. Although augmentation cannot lift your breasts, the two procedures can be combined for incredible results.

Choosing the Best Procedure for You

If you wish to regain the youthful, higher, and perkier look of your breasts, a breast lift can be the ideal option. Augmentation may be for you if you want to transform the size and shape of your breasts. You can also opt for both procedures.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you aren’t happy with the current look of your breasts, Dr. Peter H. Grossman can help you achieve the results you’ve always wanted. A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Grossman possesses several years of experience in augmentation and breast lift surgery for instant improvement. Schedule your consultation by calling Grossman Plastic Surgery at (818) 981-2050.