Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility How to Know if You Need a Lift, Augmentation, or Both
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Women’s bodies change drastically throughout their lives. These changes can impact the look, size, and shape of the breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, or large weight fluctuations can all play a role in wanting to seek cosmetic breast surgery. The next question is what type of surgery to get. There are various different types depending on your needs and desires.

Things To Consider Before Surgery

When deciding which surgical option is best for your own individual needs, there are three main things to consider. Be sure to discuss all of your questions and concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Moulton-Barrett. In order to properly assess your needs, he will ask a series of questions to give you the optimal results.

Nipple Position

When the breasts lose volume or have a lot of sagging tissue, the nipples and areolas may change position or shape. If the nipples sit below the crease of the breast or point downward, then a breast lift could be the right choice. During a breast lift procedure, Dr. Moulton-Barrett is able to reposition the nipple to a more suitable place as well as change the shape of the areola if needed. A breast lift gives the breasts a firmer, perkier appearance by removing excess skin and allowing the breasts to sit in a higher position on the chest than they were previously.

Volume

Breast volume is the level of fullness in the breasts. Most women would like a rounded, full breast shape. Things like aging, weight loss, or breast feeding can effect breast volume and make breasts appear smaller or flatter. To increase the volume and improve the shape of the breasts, a breast augmentation with implants could be a desirable option for women. In cases where loss of breast volume is compounded by lax breast tissue, a lift may be combined with your augmentation for best results.

Breast Size

One of the most common reasons women choose to undergo cosmetic breast surgery procedures is to change the size of their breasts. In some cases, it’s to increase size. In other cases, it may be to correct breasts that are asymmetrical and uneven. In both scenarios, implants may be used. When planning for breast augmentation, you can try various implant sizes in the office during your consultation to ensure you will get the look you want after surgery. Your surgeon will be able to help narrow down implant options and sizes given your individual body type and aesthetic goals.

If you find your breasts to be too large and uncomfortable, however, a breast reduction could be the procedure you need. A reduction can include a lift, but it’s main focus is to reduce and reshape the tissue. This procedure can be both cosmetic and medical. There are numerous techniques that can be used for this surgery, so it is best to talk about all of your options with your surgeon before proceeding.

Schedule a Consultation

If decided by you and your surgeon that you would benefit from a lift and an augmentation, you have the option to get both surgeries done at the same time. Combining the two surgeries gives drastic results, can save money, and can decrease overall healing time. It’s an attractive choice for some women to be able to see such immediate changes in their appearance through one surgery. That being said, if a woman wants to get an augmentation and then decides even years later that she’d like to come back for a lift, she can do that as well. If you are interested in cosmetic breast surgery, Dr. Rex Moulton-Barrett and his staff will be able to help you get started.