Which Is Right for You? Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation

What do people do if they do not like their breast shape or size, or feel like they have drooping breasts? What procedures could suit their needs and give them their desired results? If you are also in the same dilemma, several options can help you decide what you want to achieve.

The two most popular breast procedures are breast augmentation and breast lift. Read on to find out more about them so you know which one is right for you.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the ideal procedure for individuals who want bigger breasts. There are three most used incisions for augmentation.

 

• The inframammary - happens under the breast fold
   

• The trans-axillary - gets done under the armpit
   

• The periareolar - incision is done around the nipple

Each technique has its pros and cons. Most specialists prefer using the inframammary incision. It gives optimal breast tissue access and has a low chance of complications. It also hides any procedural scarring.

Breast Shape and Size 

Patients who want breast augmentation have multiple options in terms of shape and size. Your specialist must first address your body form, your natural foundation, your lifestyle, and the physique of your chest wall. They will discuss what shape and size will give you the best results and make you look your best.

Breast Lift 

Breast ptosis or drooping occurs due to loss of volume. It is more evident as women age, bear children, or fluctuate in weight. A breast lift helps correct the drooping. The procedure reshapes the breasts volumetrically. 

There are three different breast lift approaches. 

 

• There is the periareolar approach, where the incision follows your areola shape. It suits patients with large areolas, with minimal correction needed for drooping.
   

• The second approach is vertical breast reduction. The incision follows the areola path but extends down to allow more lift if the patient has moderate drooping.
   

• The third approach is the inverted-T. The incision follows similar paths to the periareolar and vertical breast approach. However, it also makes an incision along the patient’s breast fold. It is the most used approach and most predictable. It also allows more breast lift.

Your plastic surgeon at Gupta Plastic Surgery will decide on the best approach for you depending on your ptosis degree, breast tissue, and volume.

How to Know If Your Breasts Are Drooping

You can determine whether you are a candidate for a breast lift by doing a pencil test. The test entails placing the pencil as high as possible under the breast fold. If it holds, then your breasts are drooping. You are more likely a candidate if you have significant breast sagging or your nipple falls beneath the pencil.

Which Is Right for You?

The two procedures have unique benefits to offer. Breast augmentations only focus on breast shape and size. It does not correct drooping breasts. Breast lifts, on the other hand, focus on the positioning of the breast and do not increase bust size. Often, the two procedures get done in conjunction with each other to restore the beauty of your breasts. Combining the two helps increase breast volume and puts them in a youthful position.

Deciding to alter your breasts is a very personal decision. Ideally, you consult your board-certified plastic surgeon for peace of mind and safety. If they are specialists in breast surgery, you can be sure you will get your desired results. 

For more about breast lift and augmentation, visit Gupta Plastic Surgery at our office in San Diego or Encinitas, California. Call (858) 408-6100 to book an appointment today.