Breast Augmentation VS. Breast Lift

If you are unhappy with your breast size or shape or if your breasts droop, you may be considering breast enhancement. But which breast surgery is best for you? Breast augmentation, breast lift or a combination of both, are popular surgical procedures, and a consultation with your plastic surgeon will determine which one would meet your goals. Read on for more information on these procedures.

Breast augmentation

More than 300,000 breast augmentation surgeries are performed each year in the United States, making it the most popular plastic surgery procedure. Breast augmentation helps women who are unhappy with their breast size, restore volume lost after pregnancy or weight loss, achieve symmetry if breasts are different sizes, and achieve a more rounded breast shape.

When considering breast augmentation, your surgeon will discuss the different incision options and determine which one would be most appropriate for your desired outcome. You’ll also have decisions to make on the type of implant and implant size and shape. Silicone implants are the most popular as the silicone gel feels more like natural breast tissue. Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water and provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel.

Breast lift

A breast lift corrects drooping breasts by reshaping and lifting the breasts into a more youthful position. While breast augmentation adds volume and size to the breasts, a breast lift will address breasts that have a flatter, elongated shape. It also addresses nipples and areolae that point downward, and stretched skin and enlarged areolas.

There is a variety of incision patterns and techniques, and your surgeon will discuss with you the best option for your desired outcome. The surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the surrounding tissue. The surgeon will also reduce enlarged areolae at this time.

Women often need both a breast augmentation and breast lift to increase the size of the breasts and to reposition them into a more youthful position. Your consultation with Dr. Mehan or Dr. Johnson will determine which approach is best for your wants and needs.