BREAST AUGMENTATION AND BREAST LIFT: CAN I COMBINE THEM?
Many people use the terms breast augmentation and breast lift interchangeably. Although a breast augmentation and breast lift (also known as mastopexy) are both performed to improve the appearance of the breast, they have different goals. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the difference between breast augmentation and breast lifts and explain whether they can be combined.
*Individual results may vary*
BREAST AUGMENTATION
A breast augmentation focuses on enhancing the size and shape of your breasts. If you’re interested in having larger breasts, or you want to achieve greater symmetry in your breasts, you may be a good candidate for breast augmentation. This procedure focuses on increasing the size of your breasts and modify their shape to achieve your ideal appearance. Keep in mind that a breast augmentation will not lift your breasts and resolve any drooping or sagging (ptosis).
BREAST LIFT
The main goal of a breast lift is to improve the position of the breast mound and the nipple/areola complex, which improves the shape as an added benefit. If you are concerned about drooping or sagging breasts that are the result of aging, weight fluctuations, or childbirth, a breast lift may be right for you. While a breast lift can lift your breasts and give them a youthful, perky look, it will not increase the size of your breasts, and more specifically it will not give you upper breast fullness if you desire a round look above.
BREAST AUGMENTATION & BREAST LIFT
CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE
CAN A BREAST AUGMENTATION BE COMBINED WITH A BREAST LIFT?
Breast augmentation and breast lift can be performed very safely together if needed, most often in one operation, and more rarely, during two operations. When these procedures are performed together, excess skin will be removed and the breast tissue will be lifted so that it is uniform with the underlying breast implant. Combining the two procedures can achieve a full, round shape to the breasts.
In most cases, a breast augmentation with breast lift takes around three hours to perform under general anesthesia. Dr. Brown will base his technique on the degree of your ptosis and your particular aesthetic goals. He may use a “lollipop” or vertical incision, inverted T or “anchor” incision, or very rarely a periareolar or “donut” incision. Dr. Brown will go over the specifics of your surgery in detail during your consultation.
This is a 48 year old Hispanic male that I saw in my Sun City office for liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. He had previously been exercising and eating healthy but had areas that were not responsive to these actions. We discussed liposuction for contouring the areas that he was concerned about. I removed 550 cc from the right flank and 575 cc from the left flank, for a total of 1100 cc off of the abdominal area. The patient is seen here six months after surgery and is very pleased with his results. You can see that he has more defined abdominal muscles and a much better contour over the sides and hip area.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for an arm lift or how much it may cost you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brown of Brown Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona today. You can count on him to help you make an informed decision. Call us at +1 480-947-2455 or fill out our convenient online contact form.
