Exploring mastopexy vs. breast augmentation is essential for anyone considering breast enhancement, and the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery is your trusted partner in this decision. Understanding these procedures’ unique benefits and purposes can help you make an informed choice about which is right for you. Let’s check them out!
What Is Breast Mastopexy?
Mastopexy, popularly known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure that elevates and reshapes sagging breasts to a more youthful and perky appearance. Over time, factors such as pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging can lead to a loss of skin elasticity, causing breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness. Mastopexy addresses these changes by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to redefine the breast contour.
Basically, this procedure is ideal for individuals who are happy with their breast volume but desire improvements in shape and “height” because it offers a solution to regain a firmer, perkier breast appearance.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, allowing for a significant boost in self-esteem and body image. Also known as augmentation mammoplasty, this surgical procedure increases the size, shape, or fullness of the breasts by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. This procedure is particularly suited for those looking to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, achieve a more rounded breast shape, or improve natural breast size asymmetry. However, you don’t need to have a significant life change like weight loss or pregnancy to get a breast augmentation. You might qualify for the surgery if you have always dreamed of having larger breasts.
Types of Breast Augmentations
A cool thing about breast augmentation is that you can customize your new look beyond just the new size of your breasts. You can also choose the shape, silhouette, type, and texture of your breasts and implants. We won’t get into all of that now, but we will discuss the main differences between the types of breast implants you can choose from to help you better understand the procedure.
- Saline Implants are filled with sterile salt water. They’re inserted empty and then filled once in place, allowing for more control over the volume, a smaller incision, and less noticeable breast implant scars. Due to their easily customizable nature, saline breast implants are great for fixing asymmetry.
- Silicone Implants contain a silicone gel that mimics the feel of human fat, providing a more natural breast texture. They are popular for their natural appearance and come in many sizes.
- Structured Implants are a type of saline implant that contains an inner structure to make the implant feel, look, and move more naturally. This implant design is patented by IDEAL IMPLANT, meaning no other implant manufacturer can replicate the results it offers patients.
- Fat Transfer breast augmentation uses liposuction to remove fat from other parts of the body and inject it into the breasts. This method is for those seeking a relatively smaller increase in breast size and the most natural look and feel possible.
Each type of breast implant has its unique advantages, and the choice depends on personal preferences, body type, and desired outcome. Dr. Desman can help narrow your options based on your unique body goals.
Important Differences
While you might see some people use the terms interchangeably, breast lifts and breast augmentations are two different procedures. To help you determine which one you’d like to talk to Dr. Desman about, here are some key differences between the two:
- Purpose
- Mastopexy aims to lift and reshape sagging breasts to a more youthful position, improving their contour without changing their size.
- Breast Augmentation focuses on increasing the size and fullness of the breasts through the insertion of implants or a fat transfer to the breasts, enhancing overall breast volume.
- Ideal Candidates
- Mastopexy is best for individuals happy with their breast volume but seeking to correct drooping or loss of shape due to aging, weight changes, or childbirth.
- Breast Augmentation appeals to those looking to enlarge their breast size, improve asymmetry, or restore mass lost to various factors.
- Procedure Focus
- Mastopexy involves removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to lift the breasts.
- Breast Augmentation involves placing implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles to increase breast size.
Can You Get Both?
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to pick between the two. Many patients choose a breast lift with implants, also called augmentation mastopexy, which combines both procedures in a single surgery. Here’s why it works so well:
- Achieve a Fuller and Lifted Look Simultaneously: Breast augmentation alone can increase size but may not correct significant sagging. A breast lift reshapes and elevates the breasts but might not give you the volume you’re dreaming of. Combining the two offers the best of both worlds: volume from the implants and a youthful, lifted position from the lift.
- Improved Breast Symmetry and Shape: A combination procedure that allows for breast shape and size adjustments can beautifully balance asymmetrical or uneven breasts, achieving a more natural and symmetrical appearance.
- One Surgery, One Recovery: Having both procedures at the same time means a single surgery and a single recovery period, saving you time compared to having two separate surgeries.
- Extra Customizable Results: Sometimes, if you get only breast augmentations, your nipples and areola might not be where you’d like them to be. Breast augmentations also do not fix saggy breasts or reduce loose skin, but if you also have a breast lift, Dr. Desman can address all your concerns and prevent new ones from being created.
Mastopexy vs. Breast Augmentation FAQs
Is a breast lift with implants the same as augmentation mastopexy?
Yes. Augmentation mastopexy is the medical name for a breast lift combined with breast augmentation. The lift raises and reshapes the breasts, and the implants add volume, all in one surgery.
Will a breast lift make my breasts bigger?
No. A breast lift raises and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, but it doesn’t add volume. If you want more fullness too, Dr. Desman may recommend pairing the lift with implants.
Can breast implants fix sagging breasts?
Implants add size and some upper fullness, but they don’t correct significant sagging or move the nipples to a higher position. When drooping is more noticeable, a breast lift is usually needed to get the shape right.
How do I know which procedure I need?
It comes down to whether your main concern is size, position or both. During your consultation, Dr. Desman will look at your breast shape, skin quality and goals, then explain whether a lift, an augmentation or a combination makes the most sense for you.
Create The Look You Want With the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery!
Create the look you’ve always wanted with the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery in Alexandria, Virginia. Our dedicated team is here to guide men and women through every step of your transformation. Whether you’re interested in breast surgery, a body contouring procedure, facial surgery, or a non-surgical procedure, we’ve got the expertise to make it all happen.