Key Takeaways
- A breast lift repositions drooping tissue and removes excess skin for perkier, firmer breasts without changing their size.
- Breast augmentation inserts implants or transfers fat to increase breast volume and size without addressing the position of sagging tissue.
- If your nipples point downward or fall below the breast crease, a breast lift addresses this; if you want more volume, augmentation is the answer.
- Many women benefit from both procedures combined, particularly after multiple pregnancies that cause both lost volume and significant sagging.
- Both procedures can be incorporated into a mommy makeover alongside liposuction and tummy tucks for a comprehensive post-pregnancy transformation.
Cosmetic Breast Augmentation Surgery and Breast Lift
Breast lifts and breast augmentation surgeries provide two different results for patients with two different problems. Your surgeon will help you select the procedure that is best for you and will most appropriately fit your needs, but here are few things you should know going into the consultation that will help you make an informed decision.Breast Lift
A breast lift is simply a procedure that lifts drooping breast tissue. The surgeon removes excess breast tissue and excess skin, perking up the breasts and returning them to their previous state on the chest. Pregnancy and breast feeding are especially hard on the breast tissue (as is extreme weight gain and then loss) because the breasts fill up in volume and then shrink back down, leaving the tissue loose and sagging. Even if you never fluctuate in weight or experience breast feeding, gravity itself can cause the breasts to point downwards.
You know youre a good candidate for a breast lift if your nipples point downwards (or below the breast crease) instead of pointing out, horizontally from the chest. The volume of your breasts may also be less than it used to be, so youve got a pancake effect happening.
A breast lift will not change the size of your breasts, just their position and firmness. So if youre happy with the size of your breasts but just want to perk them up, a breast lift is the perfect option for you. If you are a mother, its best to wait until you are done having children before having a breast lift- while youll still be able to breastfeed generally, further pregnancies might alter your results.
Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation involves inserting implants or silicone or saline (or fat from your bodys own tissue) into the breast pocket to increase the volume and size of the breast. Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgeries, and one frequently performed at NOVA Plastic Surgery. Breast augmentation is an excellent option for patients who want to increase breast size, and who dont have any issues with the position of the breasts or with excess, drooping breast tissue.
There are a lot of decisions to be made with a breast augmentation (type and size of implant, implant placement, etc.), and your surgeon will walk you through the process to make sure you select the exact right size and type of implant to get the look youre after. Whether your breast volume is small because of genetics, weight loss, or pregnancy, a breast augmentation can help you get the appearance you want.
Both Procedures
You can also get both a breast lift and a breast augmentation in the same procedure! Women who have had multiple pregnancies often complain of both lost volume and lost perkiness, and the combination of a breast lift and augmentation will correct both of those issues. Women with naturally small breasts who have developed sagging over time due to gravity will also benefit from the combination of both procedures. Youll restore cleavage, regain volume and breast size, remove excess skin and tissue, and reposition the nipple so it is perpendicular to the chest wall instead of pointing downwards.
A combination breast lift/augmentation is an excellent set of procedures in a Mommy Makeover. Mommy Makeovers are designed to help restore your body to its pre-pregnancy look, and are easily customizable to fit your needs. Other common procedures in a mommy makeover include liposuction, tummy tucks, and mini-tummy tucks. Your surgeon can give you a full-body consultation if you are done having children, and help design a treatment plan for returning your body to its pre-pregnancy state.
How Do I Pick?
Assess your body and decide if you are after perkier breasts, larger breast size, or both. That will tell you which procedure might be best for you. The breast lift will give you perkier breasts, the augmentation will give you more volume, and getting both will accomplish both goals. Whether or not you plan to have more children or if you plan to breastfeed might also factor into which procedure you select, as can your weight and current fitness level.
Talk to a Board Certified surgeon by calling us at (703) 574-2588 to schedule a consultation and have your questions answered today!Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a breast lift or a breast augmentation?
If your main concern is that your breasts are drooping, your nipples point downward, or your breasts have lost firmness and position, a breast lift is the appropriate procedure. If your primary concern is that your breasts are too small or have lost volume, breast augmentation is the right choice. If both concerns apply, combining the procedures addresses everything at once.
Can a breast lift increase my cup size?
No. A breast lift does not add volume. It repositions existing tissue higher on the chest wall and removes excess skin to create a firmer, more uplifted appearance. Patients who want both a perkier position and larger size need to combine a breast lift with implants or fat transfer augmentation.
Can I get both a breast lift and augmentation in the same surgery?
Yes. Combining both procedures in a single surgery is very common, particularly for women after multiple pregnancies who experience both volume loss and sagging. The combined procedure restores cleavage, increases size, removes excess skin, and repositions the nipple, delivering a complete breast transformation in one recovery period.
Should I wait until after having children to get a breast lift or augmentation?
For a breast lift, it is strongly recommended to wait until you are done having children, as future pregnancies will likely cause sagging to recur. For augmentation alone, the same guidance applies since pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast size. Waiting until your family is complete ensures the most lasting results.
What is a mommy makeover and can it include breast procedures?
A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of procedures designed to restore a post-pregnancy body. It commonly includes a breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction in various combinations tailored to each patient's needs.