Two of the most popular forms of plastic surgery are those of a breast lift and a breast augmentation. If you don’t particularly like how your breasts look, these two procedures are designed to alter the appearance of breasts, although in two distinct ways. In order to better understand which of these procedures would work best for you and your specific situation, it’s important first to be aware of both procedures and the results that each provide.
Differences Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation
Although a breast lift and breast augmentation are similar types of plastic surgery, they offer different results and can be selected depending on how you want your breasts to be changed. A breast lift is referred to as a mastopexy and is designed to raise drooping or sagging breasts by removing any excess skin in the immediate area and tightening the tissue surrounding the breasts in order to provide a different shape to the breasts as well as a new contour. A breast lift also allows for the reduction of the size of an areola that has become enlarged over a period of time.
On the other hand, a breast augmentation is a type of procedure that’s designed to increase the overall size of your breasts through either breast implants, of which there are several to select from, or a fat transfer from one area of your body to your breasts. This procedure can be requested after losing volume in your breasts, if you wish to obtain a breast shape that’s more rounded, or if you want to improve the asymmetry of your natural breast size. It’s important to understand that the placement of implants or a fat transfer will not directly correct breasts that are severely drooping, although this is an issue that can be corrected by a breast lift in many occasions. Before selecting one of these procedures, focus on identifying what your exact issue with the appearance of your breasts is and then choose the appropriate procedure. To make an informed decision, consider consulting an experienced plastic surgeon from reputable platforms like lakeshoreplasticsurgery.
Candidates for a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation
If you want to have a better idea of which of these procedures is right for you, there are a range of situations that can make someone a good candidate for either a breast lift or a breast augmentation. For either of these procedures, the first thing you want to do is to be certain that you want the procedure, as the look of your body will change.
If your breasts are fully developed yet you believe that they are too small, a breast augmentation would be a good option for you. If you’ve recently been through a pregnancy or weight loss, it’s possible that the changes to the weight of your body have caused your breasts to lose their shape and volume. If this occurs, a breast augmentation would be right for you. The loss of shape and volume of breasts also takes place with aging, which is something that you might want to look out for. Other reasons as to why you might be a good candidate for breast augmentation is if you believe that the upper part of your breast appears empty and you don’t like this appearance or if your breasts appear to be asymmetrical. It’s also possible for one or both of your breasts to not develop normally or have a shape that’s elongated, both issues of which can be corrected with a breast augmentation.
When you decide to move forward with this procedure, finding the right surgeon is your next step. You want someone who understands your goals and has the proper board certification. If you live in Colorado, consulting a qualified Breast Augmentation Surgeon Denver can help you understand your options. They can show you the differences between saline and silicone implants during your initial visit. This meeting also gives you a chance to look at before-and-after photos of previous patients with similar body types.
When considering a breast lift, this procedure is a good fit for anyone who believes that their breasts are starting to sag or have recently begun to lose their shape. A breast lift can also be the optimal procedure if your breasts are flatter with a more elongated shape. Additional instances where this procedure might prove useful include when the nipples fall below the crease of your breast, when one breast is at a lower position than another, when your skin appears stretched, or when your nipples are pointing downward.
What the Breast Lift Procedure Entails
A breast lift is a very simple operation, although there are numerous incision patterns that can be made around the breasts depending on what changes need to be made. The technique used with a breast lift all depends on the size and shape of your breasts as well as the degree at which your breasts are sagging. Anesthesia is always administered before a breast lift, either in the form of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Depending on how your breasts are shaped, the incision pattern could be a simple one that goes around the areola, a more complex one that goes around the areola before heading downwards to the lower area of your breast, or another that goes around the areola as well as downwards and horizontally from the breast crease. Once the incisions have been made, the breast tissue will be lifted before being reshaped. If necessary, the areola and nipple will also be altered. Any excess skin is removed as well before the incisions are closed.
Experts like Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, often emphasize customizing each breast lift to the patient’s anatomy to achieve natural, balanced, and long-lasting results.
What a Breast Augmentation Procedure Entails
If you’re obtaining a breast augmentation, the procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia before an incision is made. The type of incision you receive depends on the type of breast implant you’re receiving and the size of the implant. The three most common incision areas include just under the areola, at the lower portion of your breast, or within the armpit. The breast implant will then be inserted into a pocket, although the exact area also depends on the type of breast implant you select. Once it’s been inserted properly, the incisions are closed with sutures or skin adhesive.
For more information, contact Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, a breast augmentation specialist located New York. He is a plastic surgeon who has received the American Board of Plastic Surgeons certification under the American Board of Medical Specialties. His specialization lies in the application of minimally invasive aesthetics, while he has been named as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons from the Consumers’ Research Council of America. He received eight years of training at the prestigious New York University in general surgery as well as reconstructive and plastic surgery.
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