If you are not happy with the current shape or feel of your breasts, there are cosmetic procedures that can help. However, not every situation requires the same technique. Some women may get their ideal breasts with a reduction while others may need lifts or implants. Understanding how reductions and lifts work will help you find the best option for your needs.
It can be easy to get confused when people call the same procedure by different names. When you are thinking about any sort of breast surgery, it is helpful to know the basic definitions for some of the most common surgical procedures.
• Augmentation: This is a surgical procedure that increases the overall size of the breasts. It is sometimes called a breast implant since the process usually involves inserting implants. Usually, an augmentation will affect the shape and position of the breasts. It tends to add more fullness along the top of the breast.
• Reduction: A reduction is a procedure that involves removing skin and tissue from the breasts. Reductions are usually done with the goal of making breasts smaller and lighter overall. This may invariably cause some changes to the shape or positioning of the breast.
• Lift: A lift is any procedure that changes the overall height of the breasts. There are various techniques involved, including reshaping and removing tissue. Instead of changing the size of the breasts, the main goal is just lifting them. It can reduce the drooping caused by age, gravity, weight loss or pregnancy.
As you can see, the main difference is simply the goal. Augmentations increase size, reductions reduce size, and lifts make breasts look perkier. Since they are different procedures, you can also expect some dissimilarities in cost and recovery time.
Breast reductions and breast lifts tend to have similar incision sizes and scarring. When it comes to breast lift vs. reduction cost, a reduction is usually a little cheaper than a lift. Breast lift recovery has a shorter timeline than a reduction.
Choosing between a reduction and lift will mostly depend on your current shape and your future goals. First, think about nipple position. If your nipples are pointing downward or situated below the crease of your breast, you may benefit from a breast lift. Consider the overall shape of your breast and decide if you are happy with it. If you feel that your breasts are too triangular or tubular, a lift can help create a more rounded shape.
Another important factor is breast volume; excess volume could require a reduction to fix. A lift alone can make breasts look higher, but they remain roughly the same size overall. Some women may go down by a single cup size with a breast lift due to the reduction in surface area, but this is not guaranteed. Therefore, those who frequently have back pain or feel top-heavy usually need to remove more than a cup size from their breasts. If this is your situation, then a reduction is likely the better choice.
Keep in mind that breast lifts are often done alongside a reduction. In many cases, a lift is a necessary part of reducing breast size. Once extra tissue is removed from the breasts, the breasts can shift downward or look flat. Therefore, the surgeon often needs to reshape the area as well. This helps prevent any sagging or dropping following a reduction.
Choosing between a breast lift and an augmentation is a little trickier. The challenge is that both of these procedures result in a breast that looks higher and rounder. If your main priority is bigger breasts, then you will consider an augmentation. A breast lift alone cannot increase your cup size.
If your main issue is simply the shape of your breasts, then a breast lift may be right for you. Look at your breast to see if they are droopy. This can be a sign that a lift will suit your situation.
An augmentation can help reposition nipples slightly. However, it cannot correct severely drooping breasts on its own. If your breasts hang so low that the nipple has moved below the crease of your breasts, then you may want to schedule a lift.
Breast lifts can easily be combined with other breast surgeries.
Combining surgeries saves on cost, and you only have one anaesthetic / recovery period.
One of the most common combinations is a breast augmentation and a breast lift. Age, weight changes and childbirth all cause breasts to hang lower and lose volume. By combining breast augmentation with a breast lift, you can restore both fullness and perkiness in one procedure for a dramatic change in the look of your breasts.
Still not sure which option is best for you? It is always a good idea to consult with a surgeon before making your choice. Edelstein Cosmetics is happy to discuss breast lifts in Toronto and various surgical procedures with you. We’ll help you find the right methods for your situation. If you’re ready to make changes to your breasts, let’s talk.
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