Breasts undergo changes related to age, weight gain and loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other factors. Many women concerned with the appearance of their breasts turn to cosmetic surgeons to help restore youthful contouring and proportions. However, some patients might not realize that there are two different types of procedures – breast augmentation and breast lift – that may help them achieve their desired results. Patients considering either procedure should have a complete understanding of the different problems each surgery targets and how they may benefit from one procedure or the other.

Breast Augmentation

A breast augmentation, or mammaplasty, increases breast volume and size with the insertion of saline or silicone implants. Women choose to undergo breast augmentation with different goals, such as increasing breast size; creating a more proportionate, contoured figure; improving breast symmetry; and/or restoring fullness and firmness after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.

Healthy patients who have good skin elasticity and little to no sagging are typically the best candidates for a breast augmentation procedure. Based on a surgeon’s guidance, a patient will make many different decisions before undergoing breast enlargement, such as choosing the type, size, and placement of implants, as well as the method of insertion. However, a cosmetic surgeon performing a breast augmentation will generally:

– Address asymmetries with the size and placement of the implants

– Position implants to restore firmness

– Improve proportions as related to the rest of a patient’s body

The risks associated with breast augmentation procedures are minimal, but can include bleeding, infection, and capsular contracture.

Breast Lift

While a breast augmentation can address breast size and volume, a breast lift addresses sagging and drooping breast tissue, also known as ptosis. Changes in breast volume and skin elasticity can lead to ptosis, which typically affects women who are aging, have had one or more pregnancies, breastfed their children, or have lost a significant amount of weight.

Healthy patients who are satisfied with their breast volume and size, but are unhappy with their degree of ptosis are often the best candidates for a breast lift, or mastopexy. There are several types of breast lifts that utilize different incisions and techniques, but in general, a plastic surgeon performing a breast lift will:

– Remove excess skin

– Reposition breast tissue higher up the chest wall

– Improve breast spacing and cleavage, if necessary

– Raise the position of nipples

Some degree of visible scarring is common with breast lift procedures, but many surgeons employ various techniques to minimize scars, such as removing excess skin after removing the skin surrounding the nipple, which effectively confines scars to the darker skin of the areola.

Combined Procedures

Since breast augmentation and breast lift surgeries address different breast issues, some patients may be candidates for a combined procedure. Typically, the best candidates exhibit loss of volume, fullness, and skin elasticity.

Generally, a surgeon will perform the breast augmentation first and then complete the breast lift procedure. He or she will place the implants within the breast pocket, and tighten loose skin around them to create a more youthful shape. Patients who undergo both procedures may enjoy the benefit of minimized scarring, as the added volume of the implant means that less skin needs to be removed than if a breast lift was performed alone.

Speak with a Surgeon

It’s important for patients considering a breast augmentation, breast lift, or both to find an experienced cosmetic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, to help determine which procedure(s) will provide the best results.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com/ breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast enlargement, breast enhancement