The decision to get a breast lift or augmentation requires careful consideration, as it can be a very personal choice. After reading this article, we hope that you have learned about the differences between these two procedures and now feel more confident about choosing one over the other. If you would like more information on either procedure before making your decision, we encourage you to contact us today at our office (phone number). We will help guide you through this process so that it is as easy for you as possible!
In this guide, we review the aspects of Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation, how painful is breast lift with implants, difference between breast lift and breast reduction, and breast augmentation recovery.
Breast Lift Vs Breast Augmentation
Are you looking for a breast augmentation but aren’t sure if it’s time to have a lift? Maybe you’re interested in both procedures, but unsure of the difference between them or what your doctor would recommend. This article outlines the differences between breast augmentation and lift, as well as how each procedure can help improve your appearance.
Breast augmentation increases the fullness of your breasts by using either silicone or saline implants, whereas the breast lift procedure will raise and reshape the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall.
Breast augmentation increases the fullness of your breasts by using either silicone or saline implants, whereas the breast lift procedure will raise and reshape the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. This can be done through an incision around each nipple or through an incision in the armpit (donut).
Breast lift is not for everyone. If you have very large breasts, a breast lift may not be enough to make you happy with how you look in clothes. In these situations, it would be better to consider having surgery on both sides at once so that both sides match up as closely as possible.
Breast augmentation can give you a more proportionate figure if your breasts are smaller than you would like them to be, while the breast lift is ideal for women whose breasts are drooping or sagging due to age, breastfeeding or natural aging.
If you want to increase the size of your breasts and achieve a more proportionate figure, a breast augmentation is what you need. This procedure is often used following pregnancy or weight loss, when the breasts have become smaller than desired. It can also be used for women whose breasts are sagging due to age or natural aging. The implants are placed behind the chest muscles and overlying breast tissue; therefore, there will be no visible scarring as long as these tissues are not disturbed during surgery.
A breast lift is an alternative option for women who want their sagging breasts lifted but do not require additional volume (i.e., if they still feel comfortable with their current size). A surgeon may recommend this procedure if they notice signs of sagging skin and/or drooping or inverted nipples in addition to unevenness between left and right breasts after having children or losing weight – as some women develop unevenness even when both sides were initially symmetrical because one side had been pulled down by pregnancy while its counterpart remained unaffected by childbirth; however, this problem can also occur naturally due to age-related changes in our body’s morphology (shape) over time such as changes brought about by gravity pulling down on saggy tissue located beneath each breast mound which causes them both tip downwards towards our waistline from where they would normally sit vertically upwards pointing towards our shoulders instead!
If you have mild to moderate sagging with loss of upper pole fullness and minimal sag along the inframammary fold then there is a very good chance that your surgeon will recommend just a breast lift.
If you have mild to moderate sagging with loss of upper pole fullness and minimal sag along the inframammary fold then there is a very good chance that your surgeon will recommend just a breast lift.
Breast lifts are performed with or without implants. If you are not planning on getting implants, the procedure can be done through incisions around the outer edge of your nipple/areola (peri-areolar). If you do want to get larger breasts, then your surgeon will place an implant beneath each breast during surgery.
Breast lifts are often combined with other procedures such as liposuction or tummy tucks so make sure that your surgeon offers all of these procedures before choosing one.
If you have moderate to severe sagging and loss of upper pole fullness then you may benefit from a combination of a breast implant as well as a breast lift procedure.
If you have moderate to severe sagging and loss of upper pole fullness then you may benefit from a combination of a breast implant as well as a breast lift procedure.
This is also called the “dual plane” technique and involves removing excess skin from the lower portion of the breast, then placing an appropriate size gel or saline filled implant at the same time.
If you only have minor sagging and you are concerned about additional volume loss with aging, then it might be appropriate for you to simply get implants without any lift at all.
If you only have minor sagging, and are concerned about additional volume loss with aging, then it might be appropriate for you to simply get implants without any lift at all. Implants can give you a more proportionate figure if your breasts are smaller than you would like them to be. If this is the case, then getting implants alone could provide the best results for your body type.
However, if you want fuller breasts with more lift or projection despite having minor sagging that does not require surgery or reduction in size (or even if your size is fine but their shape makes them look droopy), then breast lifts should also be considered as part of the process.
In other words: if flatness bothers you enough that it affects how confident and happy in yourself looks like, then surgery should be considered an option too!
You should discuss both options with your doctor so that he or she can determine what procedure is best suited for your needs.
You should discuss both options with your doctor so that he or she can determine what procedure is best suited for your needs. Your doctor will help you decide which procedure is best for you, as well as help choose between the two procedures based on your needs and wants.
The difference between an augmentation and lift depends on how much sagging occurs in your breasts from weight gain, pregnancy etc.
It’s important to note that the difference between an augmentation and lift depends on how much sagging occurs in your breasts from weight gain, pregnancy etc. The breast lift procedure will raise and reshape the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall, while an augmentation uses implants to increase fullness in your natural breasts. If you have little or no saggy skin and would like fuller breasts without increasing their size, then a breast augmentation may be right for you. However if you have very deflated or saggy skin but still want more volume, then a mastopexy could be best suited for your needs.
If you decide that a breast lift is right for your body type and desired aesthetic result , Dr Brandt can help guide you through every step of this process so that he can give you exactly what it is that YOU want out of surgery!
how painful is breast lift with implants
Many of my Perth breast reduction or breast lift patients ask questions about recovery after surgery.
Here are some answers to some common questions:
1) Is recovery after breast reduction or breast lift surgery painful?
While discomfort or pain after surgery is to be expected, women usually mention that breast reduction or breast lift surgery is a lot less painful than what they expected. Generally people comment that it’s more ‘discomfort or pain limited to the incisions’, rather than pain within the breasts or over the chest.
Some parts of the operation can be more tender though: liposuction to the side of the breast can cause a bit of tenderness, and if the breast tissue is used to auto-augment your breast (like an implant) then the sutures can pull and cause a bit more tenderness.
You will need some post-operative pain medication, and the Anaesthetist will discuss this with you. Regular paracetamol and anti-inflammatories are very effective in reducing your post-op pain/discomfort levels.
2) Will I be tired after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
You’ll feel a bit tired for first few days: the effects of anaesthesia, your body using energy for healing, plus a sleepless night before, or after surgery (hospitals can be noisy!) all combine to make tiredness after breast reduction surgery pretty common. You can plan for this by trying to organise some things before surgery – have somewhere comfortable to rest, have some meals cooked, have people to help you, and have some Netflix/Stan shows to watch.
After the initial few days you’ll find your sleeping improves, your tiredness settles, and you’ll feel more alert and energetic.
3) What will my dressings be after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
I prefer to use thin and comfortable adhesive dressings for my breast surgery patients. These dressings can get gently wet in the shower, and can then be patted dry or dried with a hair dresser to keep them adhesive.
It’s normal for parts of the dressing (usually around the nipple or at the bottom of the vertical incision) to have spotting from blood or fluid after the operation. These dressings are replaced at your first post-operative appointment. If the spotting seems excessive or has you worried, then don’t hesitate to contact the rooms.
4) What do I need to do to my scar once the dressings are removed?
Your initial dressings are removed at your first post-operative appointment at week one, and then replaced every week until healed. Once healed you can then apply emollient to the scars to help keep them moisturised and protected.
Why emollient? Generally speaking, wounds heal better in a slight moist environment. Emollient achieves this, and isn’t as expensive as the wound care creams that a chemist might sell you. There is also no good scientific evidence that Bio-Oil or Vitamin E or paw-paw cream or anything else is better than emollient for patients with normal wound healing.
What about silicon tape or silicon gel? There is some evidence that for people who are prone to creating excessively thick scars after surgery that silicon tape may be beneficial in creating better scars. Having said that though, there’s lots of studies showing that silicon tape makes no difference at all compared to non-silicon tape, so it’s another area that is a little bit unknown.
5) Are often will I see Dr Colbert after my breast reduction or breast lift?
I always call patients the after surgery to to check how you’re recovering after your procedure, and to let you know how things went.
I then see you weekly until the wounds are healed and everything is well. This usually ends up being at week one, week two, then week three or four.
I then see you for scar checks usually at around week six, then a further check at three months. Of course I’m more than happy to see patients whenever they are worried, or if they want to see more often.
6) How will my breasts look after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
Immediately after surgery your breast skin will be tighter, your nipples will be elevated, and in the case of a reduction, your breast size will be reduced.
Your breasts will be a little swollen for the first several weeks. While you definitely shouldn’t expect the size to drop from one cup to another cup, most women notice a definite size change over the initial several weeks.
Your final breast shape will take around six months to settle. All the markings are done with the aim of creating symmetrical breasts, but one side will often heal at a different rate than the other, and the final shape takes usually takes at least six months to appear. While aiming for symmetrical breasts, it’s important to remember that breasts are like sisters, and not like twins.
7) When can I exercise after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
An important part of recovery from breast surgery is a gradual return to activity, taking it each day at a time.
During the first week it’s important to rest, performing your daily activities within the limits of your discomfort. It’s generally advised that you shouldn’t perform any excessive reaching or twisting or bending, avoid lifting anything heavy, but still trying to maintain active and completing light activities.
From week 1-4 you can usually be ok for any exercise (as soon as you feel like it) except activities that will cause excessive downward movement of the breasts, such as running. After week 4 you can start running or gym work, as long as you are wearing a good supportive sports bra. The general idea is to start with low impact activities and increase them as tolerated.
8) When can I drive after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
As everyone recovers different from breast surgery, there is no prescribed time period that when you can safely drive. I generally advise patients that they are safe to drive when they can manoeuvre the steering wheel safely, and when they can safely perform an emergency stop. Placing a pillow between your chest and seatbelt to reduce any pressure on your breasts, but don’t let the pillow stop you from seeing the road!
9) When can I return to work after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
I generally advise that people should take at least a week off from returning to full time work. Many patients return earlier though, especially if they have a less physically taxing job and can return to work for a few hours at a time.
Another important thing to remember during your recovery is that if something is causing you discomfort, then it’s your bodies way of telling you to slow down. Now‘s not the time to start believing in ‘no pain, no gain’!
10) Do I need to wear a special garment after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
A well fitted supportive bra is one of the most common recommendations after breast reduction surgery, and I generally advise women to wear one for at least the first several weeks.
While I’m not aware of any scientific studies showing any significant benefit to wearing a supportive bra (it would be a difficult study to design), women generally feel more much more comfortable in a well fitted supportive bra.
What is a supportive bra? Generally something without an underwire (so there isn’t any pressure on the breast crease incision) and with front clasps/zips (less reaching means less tension on your freshly sutured incisions). While these can be purchased from Kmart, more high quality garments can be purchased from specialty lingerie shops such as Hidden Lace in Subiaco.
difference between breast lift and breast reduction
Should I Get a Breast Reduction or a Breast Lift?
With over 100,000 surgeries performed annually, breast reduction is a common procedure. Breast reduction augmentation surgery is when a plastic surgeon removes excess fat, glandular tissue (including lobules or milk glands) and skin to reduce the size and weight of a woman’s breasts. At Ranch and Coast Plastic Surgery, we have talked to many women who wonder what procedure they need to remedy the aesthetics and even the pain that their bust may cause. A breast lift is recommended when women’s breasts are sagging typically due to age (gravity) or breastfeeding.
What is the difference between a breast reduction and breast lift?
A breast reduction reduces the weight and size of the breast as well as a lift. Most women get a breast reduction when their large breasts cause neck, shoulder, or back pain and inhibit their ability to exercise. Alternately, a breast lift raises the breasts by eliminating excess skin and reshaping the remaining breast tissue resulting in a more youthful and upright appearance.
Who is a candidate for breast reduction?
Women whose over-sized breasts cause problems (also called symptomatic macromastia) often need surgical interventions to relieve the pain their large breasts cause. Most women we see experience neck, back and shoulder pain as well as chest wall pain, headaches, breast crease rashes and have bad posture all due to the burden of weight on their chest. These women often are unable to be as physically active as they would like, resulting in weight gain which just aggravates the problem.
What are the steps of breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery is commonly done under general anesthesia and takes between 3-5 hours. Like breast lift surgery, breast reduction surgery is typically accomplished through one of three types of incisions.
From the incision the breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped. Occasionally liposuction will also be utilized. The nipple is then moved to a position but stays attached to the breast to complete the aesthetics of the newly shaped breasts.
Ready to schedule a Consultation?
Most women feel relief right away after having breast reduction surgery. If you are struggling with physical and emotional pain due to overly large breasts, give Del Mar’s Ranch and Coast Plastic Surgery a call. Many insurance companies cover the cost of breast reduction surgery if other methods for relief have already been exhausted. Contact us today so that we can discuss your options and get you on the path to a more comfortable life.
breast augmentation recovery
Patients who come to us for cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation at our Chicago practice each have their own personal motivations. But many of them seem to have a few characteristics in common: an interest in a healthy lifestyle, a commitment to a balanced diet, and a passion for exercise.
Often, breast augmentation can be the finishing touch to the toned, contoured physiques that my patients have worked hard to achieve. But while they’re excited about the results of their surgery, they’re often concerned with how the recovery process might affect their fitness.
If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to work out after breast augmentation, I’m here to put your mind at ease. There are many measures you can take to ensure your breast augmentation does not have a significant effect on your fitness goals. Also, keep in mind that as your body recovers from surgery, you will burn more calories at a resting rate than you normally would.
I’m sharing a timeline to help guide your exercise regimen after surgery, as well as some of the precautions to take during your recovery.
Do’s and Don’ts After Breast Augmentation
Please remember that this timeline is simply a guide, not a hard-and-fast rulebook. Each patient will have a slightly different recovery process depending on her body type, incision, breast implant type, implant placement, and so much more. During your recovery follow these general rules:
You can learn more helpful breast augmentation recovery tips in my related blog post and on Healthline so you can achieve your best results. To see more breast augmentation before and after pictures like the ones above, visit our photo gallery.
Breast Augmentation Recovery: Activity Timeline
Here’s a general timetable for activity after breast augmentation surgery.
1 to 4 days: During the first day or 2 after your surgery, begin going for short walks around your house. Movement encourages circulation, helps to build strength, and supports the recovery process. By day 3 or 4, consider walking down the block and through your neighborhood. A little fresh air always does the body good!
1 week: At this point, your incisions should have closed nicely and discomfort should be minimal. You can begin going for longer walks and exerting a little more energy. Minor stretching is OK, but don’t push your limits — only do as much as you are comfortable with, especially when moving the upper body.
10 days: At this point, it’s OK to resume normal cardio exercises that use the lower body, such as biking, spinning, and using a stair climber. Stick to low-impact activities. You should avoid activity that involves the pectoral muscles, such as bench pressing weights, playing tennis, or using other upper body equipment for another few weeks.
3 weeks: Begin to build back up to a heightened level of cardio activity, but still remember to listen to your body. It will tell you if you’re putting too much stress on your new breast implants or the muscles around them. You may perform abdominal exercises, as long as the pectoral muscles are not used extensively. You will also still have some swelling and sensitivity around your breasts, so keep that in mind when you plan your exercises.
4 weeks: At this point, you should be feeling much more like your “normal” self. You shouldn’t be too far away from achieving the level of exertion you had before your surgery. I like to tell patients to treat their pectorals and other chest muscles as though they were strained. Resist using them until about 4 weeks, and then ease back into your previous routine, listening to your body and starting slowly with light weights.
For more answers to your top breast augmentation questions, visit our Breast Augmentation FAQ page.
It’s Best to Listen to Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon, Too
Your plastic surgeon will be able to guide you throughout the healing process, answering any questions you have about your level of exertion. As I said before, listen to your body and let it tell you when it’s ready to keep going or to pull back. As a patient, you need to be just that — patient — during the entire healing process. It is critical that you wait until you’re fully healed and have received approval from your surgeon to launch back into your previous routine.
You’ll also need to wear proper support as you return to working out. Most surgeons have their patients wear a special no-underwire compression bra for a while after surgery, then shift to sports bras. Be sure to ask your doctor what’s best for you.
Below is a before-and-after comparison from our online gallery of a patient with an athletic body, whose results balanced well with her toned shoulders and build.
I hope you’ve found this timeline to be a helpful guide. If you want to talk about your best surgical options with experienced plastic surgeons in Chicago, I encourage you to request a consultation. I urge all patients to be as knowledgeable and prepared for their surgery as possible, and this is a great place to start.