What Is the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation?

01/16/2019
Terms like “breast lift,” “boob job,” “breast augmentation” and “breast implants” are often interwoven, causing a lot of confusion about various breast enhancement surgeries. If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your breasts, there’s likely something specific you want to change. For some women, it’s perkiness; for others, it’s size and/or shape.

Since not all breast enhancement surgeries target the same thing, it’s important to understand what these terms mean. While a breast lift and breast augmentation are two of the most popular breast enhancement surgeries, they accomplish different goals. They are also procedures that can be done concurrently depending on your desired outcomes.

Breast Lift for a Perkier Chest

Some women have dealt with saggy breasts since their teens, while others experience a change in the way their breasts sit after pregnancy, weight loss or with age. Saggy breasts can affect how your body looks in clothes and swimsuits, and may affect your confidence in front of a significant other. A breast lift reduces a droopy appearance by removing excess skin and reshaping the breast. Internal breast tissue is often reshaped as well. It’s an ideal procedure for women who have:

• Nipples that noticeably point downward
• Large or misshapen nipples or areolas
• Nipples or areolas sitting below the breast crease
• Breasts that are disproportionate to one another
• Stretched or deflated breasts

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast lifts have been outpacing breast augmentations two-to-one since 2000. That’s because, unlike a breast augmentation, breast lifts require no implants while still having the ability to give your breasts a more youthful, feminine appearance. View Dr. Ravi’s  before-and-after breast lift photos to gain a better understanding of this procedure. However, if you’re looking to significantly change your breast size, a breast augmentation or a breast augmentation with a lift may be a better choice. 

Breast Augmentation for a Fuller Look   

A breast augmentation, commonly referred to as a boob job, uses silicone or saline implants to contour your breasts in proportion to the rest of your body. Those who are candidates for breasts lifts may also be candidates for breast augmentation, including women who recently gave birth, lost weight or experience a change in breast shape with age. But these candidates will be looking to change breasts that appear to be:

• Too small
• Misshapen
• Asymmetrical
• Flat

Breast augmentation is often performed following a mastectomy for breast cancer as well.

Dr. Ravi will meet with you during your consultation and before your procedure to discuss your desired goals and what types and sizes of implants may be best for you. The implants he uses are based on accurate measurements of your current breasts to give you the safest results. He rarely discusses cup size since so many bra makers size differently. View Dr. Ravi’s before-and-after breast augmentation photos to gain a better understanding of this procedure.

Combining a Breast Lift With Breast Augmentation

As we’ve discussed, those who are candidates for breasts lifts may also be candidates for breast augmentation with implants. If you’re looking to improve the position and size of your breasts, you may be a candidate for both procedures. Dr. Ravi Somayazula can help you determine if both procedures are needed to achieve your desired aesthetic.

Breast Lift & Breast Augmentation in Houston

Dr. Ravi Somayazula is committed to giving you natural-looking results that meet your treatment goals. Call Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics at 832-937-4333 to schedule a free consultation in our Houston office. We are conveniently located off I-10 in Spring Valley, near Memorial, Katy and The Galleria.