Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation

For many women considering cosmetic plastic surgery, the key area they wish to change to feel more confident and beautiful is their bust line. Patients may have many different reasons for wanting to change the appearance of their breasts. Some women feel like their breasts are too small for their frame, and believe they would feel more feminine and attractive if they were a little bit larger. Other women may be happy with their current size, but wish their breasts looked more perky and youthful, rather than saggy and deflated. Whatever the reason, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen meets her patients where they are, and works with them one-on-one to create a personalized surgical plan to suit their body, lifestyle, and goals. In this post, I will break down the two main surgical options for creating a beautiful bust line: Breast augmentation with implants, and breast lift. Hopefully by the end of this post, you will have a solid understanding of the different options that are available to help you reach the body of your dreams!

For many patients, breast augmentation with implants is an excellent choice. In this procedure, either saline or silicone implants are surgically inserted to provide attractive and natural-looking volume. Breast implants are a great choice for patients who are happy with the shape of their breasts, but wish to increase their size. However, they may not be a good option for women who want to change the shape of their breasts, such as make them perkier, firmer, or less saggy. It is also important to note that breasts implants will not alter the position of the nipple and areola. There are many different options for breast implantation, including the implant composition (saline or silicone), where the implant is placed in relation to the pectoralis muscle (above or below), and where the surgical scar is located (in the armpit, in the crease under the breast, or around the areola). To learn about these options in more detail, please check out the blog post called “Saline vs Silicone Implants”, or go to the “Breast Augmentation” tab on this website!

A breast lift is another great option for enhancing the appearance of the breasts, and has some key differences that set it apart from breast augmentation using implants. In this procedure, undesired saggy extra skin and tissue is remove to facilitate lifting the breast to a higher position. During this procedure, the nipple and areola are raised to a more youthful position along with the breast tissue. The benefits of this procedure include eliminating droopiness by lifting up the breast and nipple-areola complex, tightening and firming the breast tissue, and improving the shape and fullness of the upper part of the breast most affected by sagging. This procedure is ideal for patients who wish to turn back the clock on breasts that have become deflated due to childbearing, weight changes, or aging. Women who wish to increase their breast size, but are happy with their current shape and nipple position will probably find that their goals are better suited to breast augmentation with implants rather than a breast lift.

So what happens when a patient wants a little bit of both – desiring to decrease sagginess and improve breast shape while also adding additional volume? In these cases, a combination procedure of a breast lift with implants can be performed to give the patient the best of both worlds – elevating the breast to provide youthful lift and inserting implants to add beautiful volume and fullness. Having an open and thorough conversation with your plastic surgeon is key to identifying which procedure is right for you. Dr. Temmen also recommends that her patients choose several before and after “wish pics” to go over together so she can fully understand their goals.

Dr. Traci Temmen is highly trained and experienced in cosmetic breast surgery, including breast augmentation using implants, breast lift, and the combined breast lift with implants. She is a true perfectionist, and is committed to creating a safe and beautiful result for each and every patient. If you want to feel confident and sexy in your favorite swimsuit or little black dress again, don’t wait any longer! To learn if you are a candidate for any of the above procedures, book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, by calling 813-771-6393 today.