breast lift atlanta

A mastopexy is a breast lift that’s performed to relieve breast drooping, also known as “ptosis.” Sagging breast skin causes the nipple areola complex to be located lower than it should and in addition, the shifting of breast fullness becomes compromised. This is a cosmetic procedure and is often combined with simultaneous implant insertion to restore a former breast size or even to slightly augment a breast. Mild ptosis may require minimal skin removal just above the areola, while severe ptosis may require incisions from the breast reduction to remove adequate skin to lift the breast. Recovery and complications of a breast lift are the same as breast reduction. View breast lift (mastopexy) before and after pictures.

What is the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Implants?

Are you unhappy with your natural breasts? Perhaps you have more sagging than you’d like? Or maybe your breasts seem too small, asymmetrical, or disproportional? If so, you might be considering cosmetic surgery in hopes of improving the size, shape, or look of your breasts. However, you may be unsure exactly which breast enhancement procedure is right for you.

There are two main types of breast enhancement procedures to choose from: breast implant surgery (often called breast augmentation or breast enlargement) or breast lift (also known as a mastopexy). Knowing the difference between them is crucial in determining which procedure is most appropriate for you.

Breast Lift
The breast lift procedure lifts, firms, and reshapes sagging or drooping breasts. Unlike breast augmentation, its aim is to change the shape and contour of the breasts, not to alter their size or make the breasts bigger. The excess loose, hanging skin will be removed, the areola will be repositioned higher up on the breast and all the breast tissue will be pulled up to a more natural position for a beautifully shaped breast contour.

Ideal candidates for breast lifts are women with elongated, droopy, or sagging breasts and/or nipples and areolas pointing downward (the typical results of aging and pregnancy). Like breast augmentation, it is a straightforward procedure performed at our in-office surgical facility. The procedure usually takes between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of work required. Full recovery is usually several weeks.

Breast Implants
Breast augmentation is a procedure that is done to improve the volume and projection of the breasts. This is accomplished by placing implants into your breasts to get a larger size. Depending on the unique needs of the patient, the implants may contain silicone or saline, and will vary in size and shape. Breast augmentation can be an excellent solution for a woman who has an imbalance in breast size or symmetry, has lost breast volume with age or after pregnancy or weight loss, or simply wishes to increase the breast size she has had her whole adult life.

Breast augmentation has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States for several years now. Still, some women are hesitant to get breast implants, typically because they are concerned the results will appear fake. In actuality, though, today’s breast implants look more natural than they ever did in the past.

Breast implants can last up to 15 years, and both silicone and saline implants are FDA-approved and have been proven to be safe. Many people actually prefer silicone implants because they generally have a more natural look and feel than saline implants. However, some women still feel more comfortable with saline implants since they are filled with a natural solution that can be safely absorbed by the body should a rupture or leak occur.

Besides the more traditional silicone and saline options, new methods of breast enhancement are continually being developed. Recently, it has been found that transferring fat from the body into the breasts could be an alternative to inserting silicone or saline implants. Many people prefer this approach because fat is a naturally-occurring substance in the body as opposed to a foreign substance. Another perk is that excess fat gets removed from a desired region. However, like any surgical procedure, there are some potential risks to this recently acknowledged method. The biggest concern is that this process is relatively new, and therefore there haven’t been any long-term studies or human trials performed to determine whether or not fat injection is safe.

Breast augmentation is a relatively simple and safe procedure. “Depending on the person, breast implant surgery can be considered as outpatient surgery and performed in as little as an hour under anesthesia,” says Dr. Deutsch. Following surgery, there will be some swelling, which is normal as this is the body’s response to surgery. Full recovery may take several weeks, but exactly how long it takes varies from patient to patient.

Which Procedure Is Right For You?
Patients can opt for either implant, a breast lift, or a combination breast lift with implants. It all depends on your particular needs and desires. If your breasts are small and symmetrical, without any sagging, and you simply want to increase the size of your breasts, then a breast augmentation is probably the best option. Breast implants may also be right for patients who feel that their breasts sit too far apart or too close together on the chest wall, creating a fuller look at the top of the breast.

If you’re happy with the size and position of your breasts and just want to increase symmetry, perkiness, and volume, a breast lift would be the best way to go. A breast lift is also recommended for women who have excess or loose skin around the breasts that can be tightened, which is typically the result of extreme weight loss, weight gain, and/or pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, a breast lift can help achieve nipple symmetry.

In some cases, having both breast augmentation surgery and a breast lift is advised to achieve the best results. It could be that a woman’s breasts are small and asymmetrical or droopy, so implants combined with a lift would be a way to achieve larger, perkier breasts. Furthermore, breast lifts are sometimes combined with breast augmentations because when the breasts are lifted, there may be some loss of breast tissue; implants can make up for this loss. When a patient opts for both a breast lift and implants, the two procedures can usually be performed concurrently.

Schedule Your Consultation
To know for sure if you should have breast implants, a lift, or both procedures combined in one surgery, a full breast assessment and consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is recommended to explore all your options.

At Perimeter Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer both breast lifts and breast augmentations, along with a variety of other professional cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Deutsch has specialized in cosmetic and reconstructive breast procedures for over 20 years and is widely known in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast for his consistent and excellent results.

To learn more about our procedures and which type of breast enhancement may be right for you, please call Perimeter Plastic Surgery at (404) 800-7163 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Deutsch. We look forward to helping you achieve your personal cosmetic goals!

How long does a breast lift last?
Breast lift results can last for several years, about 10-15 years. However, factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can affect the appearance of the breasts over time.

In some cases, a second breast lift may be necessary to maintain the results of the first procedure. Maintaining a healthy, stable weight can also help you retain the results for longer.

How painful is a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, so patients will not be awake nor feel any pain during the procedure. In most cases, patients report feeling moderate pain and discomfort following the surgery, but this can be managed with oral pain medication.
At what age can I get a breast lift?
While there is no age restriction for a breast lift, we advise that you wait until your breasts have finished developing before considering this type of procedure.

There are also other key factors that determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a breast lift. These include weight loss, pregnancy, family history of disease, and overall health.