Perhaps you’re not comfortable with the appearance, size, and volume of your breasts. And you are thinking of employing cosmetic interventions to attain the appearance that you want. These interventions are called breast augmentation and/or breast lift.
Through them, it is possible to correct the appearance of your bust or the alterations that could be caused by breastfeeding, age, weight gain, and other medical factors.
Even though these procedures can be performed together, they are two different interventions with different functions. Many patients go to clinics believing that they need a breast augmentation when in reality they need a breast lift surgery or both.
Hence, in the following, we distinguish between the two procedures: breast augmentation and breast lift.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical technique also called Mammoplasty. It aims to enhance the size and volume of the breasts.
In the process of breast augmentation, the surgeon inserts breast implants behind the pectoral muscle to increase the volume of the breasts and modify their shape.
Breast implants are prostheses and can be silicone or saline. The composition, shape, and size of the breast implants are determined by the volume of breasts that you want to achieve.
It is recommended that the plastic surgeon determines the ideal increase according to your height and weight so that you obtain a harmonic figure.
Breast augmentation is performed in three ways: periareolar, axillary, and submammary. This depends on the technique implemented by the plastic surgeon and the choice of the patient.
If you are scared about the scars after the augmentation operation; in any of the methods used to carry out breast augmentation, the scar is usually almost invisible.
A postoperative period of 1 to 2 weeks with rest is required before returning to normal life without problems.
What is a Breast Lift?
Another name that Breast lift is called is Mastopexy. This intervention aims to return the breasts to their original anatomical position. It is a method that suits patients whose breasts are not standing firm anymore. That could be due to breastfeeding, the passage of time, hormonal, or weight changes.
The objective of this surgery is to lift the breast and restore its lost firmness.
Mastopexy is achieved by removing excess skin and reducing both the skin that surrounds the breast and the glandular tissue that forms it.
In the process, the ligaments that support the breasts are stretched. As a result, the nipple rises and stands in an anatomical position according to the size of the patient.
It is a simple procedure, without risk for the patient, and in which results are observed immediately. The surgical intervention can last approximately between 2 and 3 hours.
The healing of a breast lift is a little more delicate since the intervention is more complex.
Breast Augmentation VS. Breast Lift: Operation Procedures
The operation procedures for both augmentation and lift differ because their purposes are different.
Breast Augmentation Operation
Breast augmentation surgery involves basic steps: anaesthesia, incision and alterations, and recovery. Anaesthesia can be introduced locally by injection or generally by intravenous sedation.
The Incision will be made in the area around the breast to allow for the insertion of a silicone pad; which will add to the overall size of the breast. Upon completion, the surgeon will stitch up the opened areas.
The duration of recovery may be different from one person to another. If need be, your surgeon may ask you to get some specific medications to hasten the healing process.
The surgeon may also schedule multiple follow-up appointments to check on the status of the recovery process. You must keep up with all scheduled appointments to ensure a speedy and proper recovery.
Breast Lift Operation
The breast lift procedure also begins with the introduction of anaesthesia for more comfort and pain reduction.
The surgeon will then proceed to make several incisions to remove any excess skin and tighten the area. After achieving the desired result, the surgeon will proceed to suture the area.
The duration of recovery also may be different from one person to another. While it may take some days for some people, it may take some weeks for others. The surgeon may prescribe medications and several follow-up appointments to ensure recovery is proceeding properly.
Breast Augmentation VS. Breast Lift: Differences at a peek
Both procedures, breast augmentation and lift, have many differences.
First of all, breast augmentation involves the use of implants(prostheses). On the other hand, a breast lift does not involve the introduction of silicone or foreign materials, but there may be some removal of excess skin. Also, breast augmentation aims at making the breasts fuller by enhancing the prostheses. On the other hand, with a breast lift, the volume and size of the breast do not change.
Breast lift only aims at producing a rejuvenated, natural-looking region breast by tightening the area around the breast instead. Breast lift is performed more simply, with a shorter procedure, as long as a single procedure is carried out during the surgical act.
On the other hand, it takes more time to carry out breast augmentation. The scars of breast lift intervention may take a longer time to heal than that of breast augmentation.
Conclusion
In the end, the choice comes down to personal preference. If you are trying to increase your breast size and volume, breast augmentation may be the procedure for you.
Contrariwise, If are looking to only restore your saggy breasts without an increase in size and volume, then a breast lift may be the procedure you are looking for.
In some cases, you can do both – this is called Augmentation-Mastopexy Surgery. Ensure that you consult an experienced surgeon to help you with the best choice!
Shens Clinic – Breast Augmentation
Address: Winsland House 1, #09-08, 3 Killiney Road, Singapore, Singapore 239519
Phone: +65 6904 4488