Many women choose cosmetic procedures to enhance their breasts and achieve their desired look. Two of the most popular options are breast augmentation and breast lift. If you’re considering breast surgery, you should understand the differences between these two choices to make an informed decision.
Dr. Mark Crispin, a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in Atlanta, specializes in creating beautifully natural-looking results with breast surgeries.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve breast size, shape, and volume. Women choose this procedure because they want to increase their cup size, create symmetry, restore lost breast volume, or achieve a more proportionate figure.
Breast augmentation is one of the most customizable surgeries Dr. Crispin performs. With his guidance, you’ll need to make several choices about implant size, shape, material, and placement.
- Silicone: These implants provide a natural look and feel. The cohesive silicone gel matches the density of breast tissue. However, if a silicone breast implant ruptures, the flaw may be difficult to detect without an MRI scan.
- Saline: These implants require smaller incisions and leave less noticeable scarring. Dr. Crispin will fill them with a sterile saltwater solution after placing them. The drawback of saline is that it feels less natural than silicone and is more likely to ripple or wrinkle. On the plus side, ruptures are easier to detect and cause no health risks.
Dr. Crispin will place your implants within your breast tissue or below your pectoral muscles, depending on your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure designed to reshape and reposition sagging breasts. Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift does not add volume but instead lifts and reshapes existing breast tissue to create a firmer, perkier, more youthful appearance.
During a breast lift, Dr. Crispin will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining tissue to reshape and support your new breast contour. He will also reposition your nipples and areolas and reduce your areolas as necessary for a more proportionate look.
Dr. Crispin uses several different incision patterns when performing breast lifts. He will recommend the best one for you after consulting with you and evaluating the degree of breast ptosis you are experiencing.
- Crescent: A minimal incision made along the top half of the areola, best for mild sagging and downward-pointing nipples.
- Peri-areolar: A circular incision around the areola, used for mild to moderate sagging.
- Lollipop: Incisions around the areola and down the breast, ideal for moderate sagging.
- Anchor: Incisions around the areola, down the breast, and along the breast crease, best for significant sagging.
Can You Combine Breast Augmentation and a Breast Lift?
Yes! In many cases, pairing a breast augmentation with a lift will achieve the best results. Women who want increased volume and improved breast position can benefit from this combination procedure to reverse changes caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or natural aging.
A breast augmentation with lift provides the following advantages:
- Enhances breast size while correcting sagging
- Restores fullness and creates a more youthful contour
- Provides long-lasting results
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Crispin
Start your quest for perfect breasts by sitting down for a consultation with Dr. Crispin. During this confidential meeting, he will discuss your medical history and goals, conduct an examination, and answer your questions. Based on your unique anatomy and aspirations, Dr. Crispin will recommend the most effective and safest surgical approach to achieve optimal results. He will also outline his surgical plan and explain what you can expect throughout the process.
Dr. Crispin aims to achieve natural-looking results that complement each patient’s features, using the surgical approach that ensures the best outcomes with minimal risk. If you are considering breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a combination of both, schedule a consultation with Dr. Crispin today to discuss your options and create a plan that aligns with your desires and body type.