If you aren’t happy with the shape or size of your breasts or if your breasts cause you discomfort, what can you do? Several surgeries can change the size of your breasts, as well as their position on the chest. Whether you need a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction depends on your particular goals. Learn more about each surgery before making a decision.
Breast Lift
Unlike the other two breast surgeries, a breast lift, or mastopexy, doesn’t change the size of your breasts. Instead, it changes their shape and position, which can restore a more youthful look to your breasts or correct an issue that you have had throughout your life. During a breast lift procedure, the surgeon removes excess skin from the breasts and repositions the nipple and aereola to a higher, more lifted position.
A breast lift is often recommended for women who have had changes to their breasts as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding. It can also be ideal for women who have some sagging in the breasts after they’ve lost weight or for women who are seeing changes in their breast shape as a result of hormonal changes or aging.
Breast Augmentation
The goal of breast augmentation is to increase the size of the breasts. There are many reasons why a woman might want a breast augmentation. In some cases, it might be that a woman has long been unhappy about the size of her breasts. In others, a woman who had larger breasts might notice that they are reduced in size following pregnancy or breastfeeding.
While many women get implants in both breasts to increase their size evenly, the surgery can also help women who have asymmetrical or uneven breasts. If one breast is noticeably larger than the other, a woman might get an implant in the smaller breast to increase its size. Alternatively, a woman might get implants in both breasts, but have one be larger than the other.
Breast augmentation can also be a type of reconstructive surgery. For example, women who have had a mastectomy might undergo breast reconstruction, which would include breast implants.
Usually, a surgeon will increase the size of the breasts using either saline or silicone implants. Both are safe, but each one has its own set of pros and cons. For example, saline implants can be filled after they are positioned, which means the surgeon can make a smaller incision. Silicone implants might need a larger incision, but they usually have a more natural feel compared to saline implants.
Breast Reduction
The opposite of breast augmentation, breast reduction reduces the size of the breasts. It can be an option for women who have breasts that are large enough to cause ongoing back or shoulder pain or whose breasts interfere with daily activities. In some cases, men might pursue a breast reduction if they have developed enlarged breast tissue.
During surgery to reduce the size of the breasts, a surgeon will remove excess skin, fat and breast tissue from the area. The surgery might be covered by an insurance policy if it’s determined that it provides a medically necessary benefit.
Choosing the Procedure for You
How can you decide between a breast augmentation, breast lift or reduction? In some cases, you might not need to. Many women benefit from combining a breast augmentation and breast lift or a breast reduction and breast lift, for example.
Speaking with a plastic surgeon who offers a full range of breast surgeries can help you determine the best option for you. It could also be that one surgery, such as a breast augmentation, helps you now and a second surgery later on, such as a breast lift, would also be a good idea. In some cases, having a lift and augmentation or reduction performed simultaneously makes the most sense.
About Dr. Ran Rubinstein
An experienced plastic surgeon can help you decide whether breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation is right for you. Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein, a board certified plastic surgeon, regularly performs breast augmentation and other breast surgeries on patients at his practice in Manhattan. He can guide you through the process of choosing the right implants to create a natural result. Along with breast augmentation, Dr. Rubinstein offers patients a variety of procedures, from facelift to rhinoplasty, at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists, PC in Newburgh, New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Rubinstein, call 845-863-1772 today.
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