Most women consider their breasts are an integral part of their appearance. Whether your breasts are smaller than you would like, or they have changed as you have aged, feeling less than impressed with their shape and size can have dire consequences for our confidence and self-esteem.

Women who dislike the way that their breasts look may avoid wearing certain clothes such as tight tops or swimwear and may feel self-conscious when being intimate with their partner. Emotions including inadequacy, unattractiveness and depression are all common in women who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their breasts. 

Fortunately we no longer have to shoulder the burden of living with breasts we are unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery enables us to transform them in a number of different ways, making it possible for us to achieve the shape and size that we desire.

Two of the most popular cosmetic breast procedures are breast implants and breast lifts. While they may sound similar, these are two entirely different surgeries. However, they can be combined to give you a total breast transformation. 

Here is what you need to know about the differences between breast implants and a breast lift procedure. 

What are breast implants and how will they change my appearance?

Breast implants are used as part of a procedure known as breast augmentation surgery, which is performed with the intention of increasing the overall size of the patient’s breasts.

This surgery is most commonly elected by women who would like to boost their cup size to create a curvier, sexier silhouette. However, it can also be used to restore the appearance of natural breasts in women who have suffered from breast cancer and, as a result, have undergone a single or double mastectomy. 

What is a mastectomy?

This is a surgical procedure to remove the breast and all breast tissue with the aim of also removing any cancerous cells. Some women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer will opt to have a mastectomy as a preventative measure. Implants can create natural, attractive-looking breasts for those ladies who require this type of replacement. 

What types of implants are available?

Breast implants take two forms. The most commonly known is the silicone implant. These come pre-filled to specific cup-sizes, making it fairly easy to predict the outcome of your surgery. Our cosmetic surgeon will allow you to see and feel the implants, enabling you to come to a decision together as to which is the right size for your breast enhancement. It is important to bear in mind that skin over the breasts can only be stretched so far, so extremely dramatic enlargements may not be possible.

The other type of implant offered is a saline implant. These are inserted into the chest empty, and then filled with saline solution to the required level to create your new, fuller breasts. Saline implants can be particularly useful for patients who currently have one breast significantly larger than the other, since your surgeon can fill them to the necessary size to create a more balanced appearance. 

Will my new breasts be lifted?

If your current breasts aren’t too saggy, you may experience some natural lift. However, for a significant improvement in the positioning of your breasts, your surgeon may recommend that you combine your implants with breast lift surgery.

What is breast lift surgery?

As we age, our breasts change. Pregnancy and nursing can play a large role in affecting their appearance, but gravity and the natural loosening of our skin as we get older means that by the time we reach our 40s or even our 30s, our breasts simply don’t sit as high on our chest as they once did.

This can cause problems with posture and many patients suffer from skin problems under their now-sagging breasts. Their new look can also make us appear older than we really are. 

As its name suggests, breast lift surgery focuses on improving the positioning of the breasts rather than increasing their size. To do this we will remove excess skin from the area so that your breasts are pulled up higher on your chest wall. In many cases, patients will also need to have their nipple repositioned so that they sit higher too. The effects of both the lift and nipple repositioning will help your breasts to look perkier, firmer, and more youthful. 

If you would like to learn more about either procedure, or to schedule a consultation to discuss your breast transformation, call Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Acadiana today at 337-226-0400.