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Breast Augmentation and Lift: Know the Differences

Breast Augmentation and Lift: Know the Differences

Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham offers different breast procedures to meet the needs of all of her patients throughout New Jersey. Cosmetic breast surgery can enlarge the breasts with augmentation, lift them, or correct previous breast surgeries. For women who don’t like their breast shape or position, this allows them to make improvements.

With the help of a fat transfer or implants, she can improve breast size, symmetry, and shape. As a New Jersey board-certified plastic surgeon, she has years of experience helping patients determine which breast surgery – breast augmentation or breast lift – is right for their goals. She creates personalized treatment plans that help each patient achieve their dream results which can be addressed during an initial consultation.

What is breast a augmentation?

Breast augmentation uses implants based on a patient’s body size and shape, and overall goal. Implants come in different textures, breast implant shapes, and sizes, which makes a consultation important so we can help you choose a surgical plan that suits your needs best. We offer both silicone implants and saline implants that have been approved by the FDA. Patients must be at least 18 years old to get saline implants and 22 years old to get silicone implants. We also offer a form-stable implant known as a gummy bear implant.

Breast implant incision placement and implant location are two important considerations for Dr. Ramanadham while performing breast enhancement surgery. We either place the implant under the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue and over the pectoral muscle.

What is breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgery is a body contouring procedure performed in New Jersey that reshapes the breasts by removing loose skin and tightening tissue. This surgery is best for women who have lost breast shape and volume due to aging, weight loss, or pregnancy. Dr. Ramanadham can choose the New Jersey breast lift technique according to the sag present to help a patient achieve the most desired outcome. To determine if you’re a candidate, try the pencil test. Place a pencil high under your breast fold. If it holds, then you have breast drooping and are a great candidate for a breast lift.

There are usually two types of approaches for a breast lift: inverted-T incision and straight line vertical. Each is used for different existing breast situations. The inverted-T approach is the most commonly used during a breast lift in New Jersey and allows for the most lift. We also can provide a breast augmentation with implants.

What is the difference between breast augmentation vs. a breast lift?

When it comes to the differences between a breast lift and breast augmentation:

  • Breast lift:  This procedure is the lifting of the breasts without adding fullness or size (unless you opt for a breast lift with implants).
  • Breast augmentation:  This procedure includes breast implants for enhanced breast shape and volume of the breast.

At a consultation, we can help you decide which breast surgery will suit your needs best and help you get the results you’re looking for.

How long is recovery from a breast lift vs. breast augmentation?

Dr. Ramanadham will provide thorough post-op instructions to help her patients throughout their breast augmentation recovery. A compression garment is worn to help reduce swelling. Swelling and bruising should start to decrease a few days after surgery. With breast augmentation, your breasts will begin to settle into their new position after about a week. With a breast lift, it may take a few weeks for your breasts to look higher on your chest wall. Patients can return to normal activity after a week, but exercise should be delayed for a few months.

Questions and Answers

Does a breast augmentation procedure come with a lift?

The combination of breast enhancement and a combined breast lift is known as an “augmentation/pexy.” Expect enhanced upper breast fullness, repositioned breasts, and nipples. Both procedures typically entail a 3-4 week healing period with a gradual return to normal activities, including augmentation/pexy.

Can you get a breast lift and augmentation at the same time?

A combined augmentation mastopexy procedure not only streamlines scheduling but also minimizes recovery time, yielding excellent outcomes. Simultaneous augmentation and lift may allow for smaller implants, achieving the desired shape and appearance effectively.

How long does a breast lift and augmentation last?

Expect your augmentation mastopexy results to endure for a decade or more, possibly up to 15-20 years if done at a younger age. However, various factors can impact result longevity.

Is a breast lift cheaper than augmentation?

When comparing Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation costs, remember that the augmentation mastopexy procedure is often pricier due to its complexity. It entails reshaping, repositioning existing breast tissue, removing excess skin, and potential nipple/areola adjustment.

Is a breast lift with implants worth it?

If you currently have sagging breasts, opting for breast implants alone is likely to result in larger but still sagging breasts. Therefore, if you desire a comprehensive enhancement in the quality of your breasts, it’s worth contemplating a combined approach of a breast lift with implants.

How long does a breast lift with implants last?

Most patients can expect their breast lift with implants result to last for 10 to 15 years.

Can you get a second breast lift?

Years after your breast enhancement procedure, your age, lifestyle, and weight loss or gain will continue to affect the breasts over time, which may lead to the need for a revision or second augmentation surgery . Breast lift revision surgery is nearly the same as the original procedure.

Can implants give you a breast lift?

Breast implants are primarily intended to enhance breast volume rather than provide significant lifting. While they may offer a modest lift in women with smaller breasts, they generally do not effectively address sagging breasts concerns. In most cases, implants are aimed at augmenting chest size rather than addressing significant sagging breast.

What breast implant options would be available?

Currently, there are four breast implant options available for breast augmentation: saline, silicone, gummy bear, and fat graft. While the array of choices may appear daunting, each option comes with its unique advantages and disadvantages. By having a well-defined vision of your breast enhancement objectives, you can likely discover the ideal implant to fulfill your specific needs.

How much is a breast lift vs implants?

Breast Lift: The typical cost for a breast lift procedure is approximately $5,000.
Breast Augmentation: The average price for breast augmentation surgery is $4,516.
Keep in mind this is a national average. Prices vary significantly depending on several factors. Contact SR Plastic Surgery New Jersey today to find our the price and book your consultation.

Learn which breast surgery is best for you

For those looking to change how their breasts look in New Jersey, Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham, a board certified plastic surgeon, while considering your medical history, will recommend between breast augmentation, breast lift, a combined breast augmentation mastopexy, breast lift with implants, or which ever viable surgery best fits your individual needs.

She performs New Jersey breast augmentation consultations, where she examines patients and listens to their concerns to help them choose which breast surgery will help them achieve their goals. To schedule a consultation, call our office today.

References

  1. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-combining-breast-augmentation-and-a-breast-lift
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