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Having Trouble Deciding Between Breast Implants and a Lift? Here’s What You Need to Know
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Deciding between breast implants and a breast lift can be a common dilemma for women seeking to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Each cosmetic breast surgery procedure offers unique benefits, and understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision that best meets your aesthetic goals.
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will provide you with thorough information about the procedures and make recommendations as to what is best for you.
This blog explores the differences between breast implants and a lift, their benefits, factors to consider and when a combination of both might be the best option.
Breast Implants: Enhancing Volume and Shape
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are prosthetic devices inserted into the breasts to increase their size, enhance their shape, and improve their overall appearance. The two main types of implants are saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater (saline) solution, whereas silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue.
Benefits of Breast Implants
- Increased Volume and Fullness: Breast implants are ideal for women looking to add volume and achieve a fuller breast appearance.
- Enhanced Shape and Symmetry: Implants can improve the shape of the breasts and correct asymmetry, creating a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look.
- Customizable Options: With various sizes, shapes, and profiles available, breast implants can be tailored to meet individual preferences and body proportions.
Factors to Consider
- Desired Size and Shape: If your primary goal is to increase breast size or enhance their shape, implants may be the right choice.
- Skin Elasticity: Implants rely on the skin’s ability to stretch and accommodate the new volume. If your skin has good elasticity, implants can provide excellent results.
- Longevity: While implants are long-lasting, they are not permanent devices and, given time, will lose their integrity. At that point, depending on a variety of factors, including your preferences, they can either be removed and replaced with new implants (implant exchange) or not replaced at all (explantation).
- Breast Revision: Sometime in the future, you may either want to change the implant size (and shape) or remove them entirely due to such factors as preference or weight changes.
Breast Lift: Addressing Sagging and Nipple Drooping
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging breasts and reposition the nipples and areolas. This procedure removes excess skin, tightens the surrounding tissue, and lifts the breasts to a more youthful position.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
- Lifted and Rejuvenated Appearance: A breast lift restores a more youthful contour by lifting sagging breasts and repositioning the nipples.
- Improved Nipple and Areola Position: The procedure corrects downward-pointing nipples and enlarges areolas, enhancing the overall breast appearance.
- Enhanced Confidence: After a breast lift, many women experience a significant boost in confidence, self-esteem and body image.
Factors to Consider
- Degree of Sagging: A breast lift is particularly effective for women experiencing significant sagging and loss of breast volume.
- Skin Quality: Women with stretched or inelastic skin due to aging, pregnancy or weight loss are often good candidates for a breast lift.
- Desired Outcome: If your primary concern is sagging rather than increasing breast size, a lift may be the best option.
Combining a Breast Augmentation and a Breast Lift: The Best of Both Worlds
In some cases, combining breast implants with a breast lift can provide the most comprehensive results. This combination addresses both volume loss and sagging, delivering fuller, more youthful-looking breasts.
When to Consider a Combination Procedure
- Significant Volume Loss and Sagging: If you have lost significant breast volume and are experiencing sagging, combining implants with a lift can restore fullness and elevate the breasts.
- Enhanced Contour and Position: The combination provides the benefits of both procedures, improving breast shape, volume and position simultaneously.
Benefits of Combining Procedures
- Comprehensive Enhancement: Addresses multiple concerns in a single surgery, reducing overall recovery time.
- Natural-Looking Results: Combining procedures can achieve a harmonious balance between breast size and position, creating a more natural appearance.
- Increased Satisfaction: Many women report higher satisfaction with their results when combining a lift with implants when appropriate.
Making Your Decision: Key Considerations
Consult with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential as it signifies that they possess the required training and exposure to better be able to perform the procedure safely and efficiently. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery also indicates the surgeon’s commitment to high ethical standards and safety which are important when you are personally considering surgery.
Of course, board certification alone does not guarantee the quality of your results. You still need to do your research, including viewing before and after photos and checking out reviews or references.
Evaluate Your Goals
Reflect on your aesthetic goals and what you hope to achieve. Are you looking to increase size, improve shape or address sagging? Clearly defining your goals can guide you toward the appropriate procedure.
Your Cosmetic Breast Surgery Specialist in Phoenix, AZ
Whether you choose breast augmentation with implants, a breast lift, or a combination of both, your journey to enhanced confidence and beauty starts with making the choice that’s right for you.
Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic breast surgery. He has provided his patients with high-quality results for more than 35 years here in the Valley and Arizona wide.
To schedule your cosmetic breast surgery consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub, you can call us today at (480) 451-3000 or complete our online contact form.