Enhance Your Breast Knowledge

Deciding Between Breast Augmentation and Lift

Breast enhancement can come in all shapes and sizes; not every technique is ideal for every person. What is the same across the board, however, is the desire to reclaim a body that makes you feel confident. Breasts that you consider too small, asymmetrical, or misshapen can rob you of your self-esteem. You know you want to make a change, but you may not know which procedure will help you make the change you want. Here is some information that can give you a better idea of the procedure that might be right for you.

Breast Augmentation  

Many women have always had breasts that they felt were too small. In other cases, pregnancy and weight loss have robbed them of adequate volume. Breast augmentation is the surgical placement of implants to increase the size and correct the shape of the breasts. Women have the choice between saline and silicone implants.

• Saline implants: a silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution. Ideal for women who desire rounder, firmer breasts.
• Silicone implants: a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel. The common choice for women seeking an implant that better simulates natural breast tissue.

Implant placement is also an important factor in creating your new breast look. Your implants may have either subglandular or subpectoral placement.

• Subglandular placement: the implant is inserted beneath the glandular breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle. This creates a breast with a higher profile.
• Subpectoral placement: the implant is inserted beneath both the glandular tissue and the pectoral muscle. Implants placed here tend to have a more pronounced breast slope.

Women who choose breast augmentation typically do so because it provides the most dramatic increase in breast size and can change the shape of the breasts. Implants can correct a wide variety of breast issues, but they do not correct significant breast sagging.

Breast Lift

Women choose breast lift surgery when they feel that their breasts have enough volume but have significant ptosis. Ptosis is the medical term for sagging, which may be a result of pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Sagging breasts can age the body and cause women to feel unattractive. Breast lift surgery restores perkier breasts with a more youthful shape and position.

• Incisions are usually made around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and along the breast crease itself (sometimes fewer incisions are required for breasts with less sagging)
• Excess breast tissue is removed occasionally
• The breast tissue is lifted and reshaped
• The nipple and areola are repositioned
• The incisions are closed

Combination

Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are two of the most commonly combined procedures. If you have sagging breasts that also lack volume, a combination surgery is probably right for you. Patients who choose to combine procedures tend to avoid sagging-related complications after their augmentation, such as the double-bubble deformity. Combining breast augmentation with a breast lift helps ensure that you attain larger breasts that appear perky and shapely.

If you are considering breast enhancement surgery, schedule your consultation with Dr. Spies today. He will evaluate your wants and goals to help decide which enhancement procedure is best for you. His friendly staff is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Contact our office by calling (480) 890-0600, or fill out our online contact form here for more information.