If you want to improve the appearance of your breasts, you’ll usually find two different procedures available to you: a breast lift and a breast augmentation. Though they may seem similar, they are actually used for very different purposes, and one may not necessarily work as well for you as the other.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Breast Lifts
Breast lifts are designed to create a perky, youthful appearance when the mass of the breast tissue is still existing. Many women find their breasts sagging either after having children (and breastfeeding) or simply aging. The breast tissue is there, it’s just sitting lower on their chest. Breast lifts resolve this issue, but it cannot add any mass to the breast alone — the patient’s breasts will remain the same size, but situated higher up. Those who are simply unhappy with the actual size and shape of their breasts cannot counter this through a breast lift.
Further, breast lifts will not be able to “reassign” tissue to the top of the breast; the breast may still appear to “droop” towards the bottom if there is not enough tissue, creating a shelf-like appearance. In general, the tissue towards the top of the breast is generally lost due to age. Thus, older patients may need a breast augmentation.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is all about adding mass. To youthful patients, a breast augmentation alone may be all that is needed. But if the patient’s breasts already don’t sit where they want them to, a breast augmentation alone is not going to help. The new breast implants will sit exactly where the patient’s current breasts do; there is no way to adjust this without an additional lift. That being said, breast augmentation is the only way to significantly change the fullness and the shape of breast tissue. A lift alone cannot alter this.
Of course, breast lifts and breast augmentation are not mutually exclusive. In fact, most often they are done together — if breast volume and breast lift are both desired. At the OC Cosmetic Surgery Clinique in Newport Beach, you can get a consultation regarding your personal needs.