Should I Get Breast Implants, a Breast Lift or Both?

Have you been looking in the mirror lately and dreaming of a change when it comes to your breasts? Let’s face it. Gravity can start to take a toll with age, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and weight changes making things worse. Your once perky breasts may be deflated, full and low, or totally pointed downward. Or, you may have always had small breasts and now they are sagging. You’ve probably decided it’s time to check out your options. Perhaps you’ve considered breast implants (breast augmentation).

So, which kind of breast procedure is for you – breast implants or a breast lift? Read on to find out the difference between the two.

Breast Implants

The placement of breast implants, also called breast augmentation, will increase the volume or size of your breasts. During the consultation we identify the implant that best fits you, and then we place that at the time of surgery. Breasts look fuller after the procedure by design. Breast augmentation does not include lifting of the nipple, breast tissue and skin – that would be a different operation called a breast lift.

If the breast tissue is hanging low on your chest, an implant would not be the solution. Placing implants without treating the ptosis, or sagging breast would produce an unnatural result. Not to worry – breast implants can be placed at the time of breast lift surgery if that suits your needs and fits with our recommendations. Lastly, during the consult you will also discuss the cost for the procedure with our patient care coordinator (a helpful primer here: How Much Does a Breast Augmentation Cost?).

Breast Lift

A breast lift (or mastopexy) is literally that – the lifting of your breasts. Breasts widen and flatten with time and gravity. A breast lift reshapes and lifts the breast while tightening the shape at the same time. A lift doesn’t increase your bra size. In fact, it could slightly decrease the bra size if some tissue is removed to make breasts perkier. Some women prefer to get a breast lift with implants, while others get a breast lift without implants.

When you come in for your consult, we ask you to think about how you like the volume when you lift your breast tissue into a bra cup. If that is still not quite where you want to be, we talk about placing implants at the time of the breast lift. Breast lift without implants works for women who are happy with how they look in a bra, but unhappy with the sagging when braless. It all comes down to personal preference, along with your board certified plastic surgeon’s recommendation.

The Benefits

Plastic surgery is a big decision, but it can have huge potential benefits. Women often undergo aesthetic breast surgery to return to the shape they enjoyed before pregnancy and breastfeeding changed their bodies. It restores confidence as you recognize your reflection in the mirror once again.