If you would like to improve the appearance of your breasts, there are two primary procedures available – breast augmentation and breast lift surgery. The choice will depend on your specific concerns, as well as your desired outcome.

If you’re dissatisfied with your breasts, you may have asked a question that many women have: Which procedure is best for me, a breast augmentation or lift? Let’s take a closer look at both procedures to help determine which one will give you the breast shape and appearance you’ve always desired.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is done to increase the size of the breasts, and it also enhances cleavage.  This is usually achieved with the use of silicone or saline implants. Breast implants are available in a variety of sizes, and this allows women to get the size they desire.

Breast implants may be placed below the breast tissue (sub-glandular), or under the chest muscle (sub-muscular). The type and placement of the breast implants are two of the important factors that should be discussed with your plastic surgeon during your initial consultation.

Breast Lift

A breast lift or mastopexy is a surgical procedure that is performed to elevate and firm the breasts. The procedure improves the contours of the breasts, making them firmer and perkier. During the procedure the nipple is also repositioned to create a more natural appearance.

There are a variety of techniques that can be used for breast lift surgery, and the incision and scars are therefore not the same. The traditional technique is the anchor lift in which an incision is made around the areola (the darker skin that surrounds the nipple), and then from there to the fold below the breast, and along the breast crease.

A breast lift is the recommended fix for droopy breasts. However the procedure will not increase the size of the breasts. On the other hand, breast augmentation will give you a larger cup size, but will not raise the breasts. Therefore if you have sagging breasts, a breast lift is usually recommended.

Related Post: Is There an Ideal Age for a Breast Lift?

Which procedure is right for you?

Deciding whether you need breast augmentation or a breast lift to enhance the appearance of your breasts can be challenging. While the answer to this question may be very obvious for some women, it’s not so clear for others.  That’s why a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. This will allow you to review your options, and get all the facts you need to determine which procedure is the right one for you.

Although both procedures can improve your bust line, they are done for different reasons. A breast augmentation is done to fill out and add volume to the breasts, while a breast lift repositions the breast tissue to create a more youthful shape.

One of the factors your plastic surgeon will consider when assessing your suitability for a breast lift, is the amount of ptosis — the sagging of the nipple / areola area. The rate that a woman will experience drooping, and to what degree, will depend on many different genetic factors The key factors influencing breast ptosis over a woman’s lifetime are cigarette smoking, her number of pregnancies, gravity, higher body mass index, larger bra cup size, and significant weight gain and loss.[from a loss of skin elasticity during the aging process. Many mistakenly believe that it’s due to breast feeding. The level of ptosis may range from mild to severe.

Comparison: Popularity of Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift Procedures*

Source: 2016 National Plastic Surgery Statistics PDF, American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed at https://d2wirczt3b6wjm.cloudfront.net/News/Statistics/2016/2016-plastic-surgery-statistics-report.pdf. ASPS Procedural Statistics represent procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® as well as other physicians certified by American Board of Medical Specialties-recognized boards.

Video: The Classification of Breast Ptosis or Breast Droop

Consider the following when making your decision

• If you have no ptosis and only want to make your breasts larger, then breast augmentation may be all that you need to get the results you want. Breast augmentation can produce subtle lifting of the breasts, so it may also be suitable in cases of mild ptosis. However, if you have significant sagging, a breast lift is recommended to restore the natural anatomy of the breasts.
• If you are comfortable with the size of your breasts but would like to correct excess sagging, a breast lift would be the most appropriate option for you.
• If you have droopy breasts and also want to make them larger, a combination breast augmentation and breast lift may be needed to achieve the results you’re looking for.

Breast Enhancement Surgery near El Paso, TX

For patients in the El Paso, TX area, breast enhancement surgery is offered by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ozan Sozer of El Paso Cosmetic Surgery. Call 915-351-1116 to learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Sozer and see which procedure would best satisfy your aesthetic goals!

Related Post: Am I A Good Candidate For Breast Augmentation?

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Ozan Sozer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Ozan Sozer, MD believes in giving people the opportunity to enhance their appearance and their lives through plastic surgery.

@ElPasoCosmetic

Dr. Sozer & Dr. Paul Phillips are experienced Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery. (915) 800-3779.

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