Breast augmentation patients who travel from Draper and the Salt Lake City area to my Midvale practice often ask if they can get the results they want with breast implants alone, or if a breast lift is also necessary. This is especially true for women who have had children or whose skin is losing its elasticity because of age.
It’s understandable that patients want to avoid the incisions needed for breast lift surgery, but if I’ll recommend combining the procedures if I believe they will be unhappy with the outcome of breast augmentation alone. In this blog post, I’ll explain the factors involved in making that decision and the benefits of combining a breast lift with implants.
The Basics
First of all, it’s important to know the background information for each procedure. Both surgeries involve improving the appearance of the breasts, but the techniques used differ.
A breast lift re-shapes the breasts and it is designed to correct sagging caused by aging or pregnancy. This is fixed by raising the position of breasts along the chest wall. A breast augmentation, on the other hand, is aimed at creating more full or symmetrical breasts with the use of implants. These results are more focused on breast size than breast placement.
Some patients ask if breast implants can give their breasts a lifted appearance. In a few cases involving women who get smaller implants, that can be the result. But usually implants will make breasts sag even more because of the additional weight.
Combining Procedures
Age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and loss of skin elasticity naturally cause breasts to sag and look deflated. A breast lift is designed for a subtle, more youthful look by improving the breasts’ position on the chest. A breast augmentation is designed to enhance breast size, symmetry, and body proportions. More and more women are having both procedures done at once to:
- Maximize their results
- Minimize risks
- Save money
- Reduce recovery time
Both options are great for improving a woman’s overall sense of femininity. When used together, the results are even more flattering and transformative.
Exploring Your Options
When deciding whether to get an individual procedure or combine the two, there are many factors to consider. Some of these factors include:
- If you plan to become pregnant in the future
- The frequency and intensity of your exercise routine
- If you belong to more liberal or more modest social circles
Considering all of these factors might feel overwhelming at first. But a general rule is that placing an implant in a sagging or droopy breast is not ideal – and therefore requires more than one procedure.
There is no set age that a woman should consider breast augmentation or a breast lift. The important thing to remember is that if you are not happy and confident with the appearance of your breasts, then it might be time to explore procedure options.
If you would like to see real results from real patients, browse our before-and-after gallery. If you have any other questions or concerns about breast enhancements, request a consultation online or call us at 801-937-9650.