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Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: What’s the Difference?
Considering breast enhancement? Understanding the key differences between a breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation is essential to choosing the right procedure for your goals. While both surgeries enhance the appearance of your breasts, they achieve different outcomes. Whether you want to restore youthful contours or increase volume, My Houston Surgeons can help you determine the best approach for your aesthetic vision.
My Houston Surgeons (MHS) knows that every woman has different body shapes and goals, with unique desires for aesthetically desirable results. The MHS body plastic surgeons possess excellent training in cosmetic breast surgery and provide various procedures to meet the needs of a patient’s dissatisfaction with their breast to body proportions.
What’s the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation?
A breast lift primarily reshapes and elevates sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the tissue. This procedure is ideal for patients who experience breast ptosis (drooping) due to aging, weight loss, pregnancy, or genetics.
A breast augmentation enhances breast size and shape using saline or silicone implants. This is the best option for those seeking fuller breasts, better symmetry, or restoration of lost volume.
Some patients choose to combine a breast lift with augmentation for comprehensive enhancement—achieving both volume and lifted, youthful contours.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Over time, factors such as aging, gravity, and pregnancy can cause the breasts to lose their perky shape. A breast lift corrects sagging by removing excess skin and tightening tissue to restore a more youthful, elevated appearance.
Types of Breast Lift Incision Techniques
Your surgeon will determine the best incision method based on the degree of sagging and your goals:
- Crescent Lift: A small incision along the upper areola for minimal sagging.
- Donut Lift (Circumareolar): A circular incision around the areola for moderate lift and areola reshaping.
- Lollipop Lift (Vertical): An incision around the areola with a vertical line to the breast crease, ideal for moderate sagging.
- Anchor Lift: An additional horizontal incision along the breast crease for significant sagging correction.
Benefits of a Breast Lift:
- Restores youthful breast position
- Improves breast firmness and shape
- Elevates downward-pointing nipples
- Enhances symmetry
Recovery Time:
Most patients return to daily activities within 7–10 days, with full healing taking 4–6 weeks.
Potential Complications:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- Scarring (minimized with proper aftercare)
- Changes in nipple sensation
Breast Augmentation
For patients looking to increase breast size or restore lost volume, breast augmentation provides long-lasting enhancement with implants. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular breast surgeries sought out by women in the U.S. The procedure involves selecting the right implant type, size, placement, and incision technique to achieve your desired look.
Types of Implants
- Saline Implants: Filled with sterile saltwater, offering a firmer feel.
- Silicone Implants: Pre-filled with soft, cohesive silicone gel for a more natural look and feel.
- Gummy Bear Implants: A highly cohesive silicone implant that maintains its shape and offers natural-looking fullness.
Implant Placement Options
- Submuscular (under the muscle): Provides a natural slope and minimizes implant visibility.
- Subglandular (over the muscle): Achieves a more prominent enhancement with a shorter recovery time.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation:
- Increases breast volume and fullness
- Enhances cleavage and contour
- Restores symmetry
- Customizable size and shape
Recovery Time:
Most patients recovering from a breast augmentation can resume non-strenuous activities within 5–7 days, with full recovery in 4–6 weeks.
Potential Complications:
- Implant rupture or leakage
- Capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening around the implant)
- Temporary changes in sensation
The incision can range from incisions in the axilla, to around the skin of the areola, to the most common site hidden under the breast in the naturally occurring fold.
Saline vs. Silicone Implants
Choosing between saline and silicone implants depends on personal preference and desired outcome.
- Saline: These implants typically feel firmer with a smaller incision size. Their rupture risk is low as they are able to deflate safely. They are FDA-approved for patients 18+.
- Silicone: Softer and with a more natural feel, silicone implants may require a larger incision than with saline implants. They have a slightly higher risk of a silent rupture. They are FDA-approved for ages 22+.
Combining Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation Surgery
For patients who want both lifted and fuller breasts, a breast lift with implants can provide comprehensive enhancement. This combination corrects sagging while adding volume, creating a youthful and well-proportioned shape.
Benefits of a Combined Procedure:
- Single recovery period
- Comprehensive transformation
- Restores volume and corrects sagging simultaneously
Get the Breasts You Desire With Expert Care from My Houston Surgeons
Choosing the right breast enhancement procedure is a personal decision. At My Houston Surgeons, we offer expert guidance to help you achieve your desired look with precision and artistry.
Schedule a consultation today to explore your options and create a customized surgical plan tailored to your unique goals.
