The Complete Guide to Breast Surgery: Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Procedures

Are you ready to improve your figure by enhancing your breasts? If you are not satisfied with the way your breasts look or if their appearance has changed over time, breast surgery could be a solution. Procedures like breast augmentation or a breast lift can help give you a more appealing, shapely figure that accentuates your bust. 

Legacy Plastic Surgery in Exton, PA, offers breast surgery for patients who want to enhance their shape by improving the size, shape, or position of their breasts. Read on to learn more about breast augmentation and breast lift procedures.

What Is Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery refers to cosmetic procedures that enhance the appearance of the breasts. These can include increasing the cup size, improving shape, or repositioning the breasts in a higher position. The two most common breast surgeries are breast augmentations and breast lifts.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a plastic surgical procedure that aims to improve the size and shape of the breasts. During a breast augmentation, silicone, saline, or gummy bear implants are used to increase the volume of the breast, bringing it to a larger cup size. These implants can also give the breast a rounder, more desirable shape.

Who Is Breast Augmentation Meant For?

Breast augmentation is an ideal procedure for anyone who wants a larger breast size or wants to improve the shape of their breasts. Candidates may be patients with A or B cup breasts who feel that a larger cup size would be more flattering to their figure. 

Patients who have asymmetrical breasts, where one is significantly larger than the other, can also benefit from an augmentation to make the breasts even in size. For patients with breasts that appear empty or have a teardrop shape, augmentation can add fullness and create a rounder appearance.

These procedures are also a great option for survivors of breast cancer who have had a mastectomy. When patients have had one or both breasts completely or partially removed, a breast augmentation can serve as a reconstructive procedure to restore the appearance of the breasts.

How Is Breast Augmentation Performed?

Breast augmentations are performed under general anesthesia. The procedure begins by making a discreet incision through which the implant can be placed. 

There are three types of potential incisions: inframammary, peri-areolar, or transaxillary. Inframammary incisions are made underneath the breast. Peri-areolar incisions are made around the areola, while transaxillary incisions are made in the armpit area. 

The type of incision used during your breast augmentation will be discussed with you and determined during your pre-op consultation appointment.

Once the incision has been made, your unique implants will be placed with either subglandular or submuscular placement. Subglandular placement is above the pectoral muscle, while submuscular is beneath the pectoral muscle. 

This placement will be discussed and decided on during your consultation, along with the size and type of implants that will be used.

Breast Lifts

Breast lift procedures are plastic surgeries that aim to lift the breast into a higher position. This involves removing excess skin and repositioning the breasts into a higher area on the chest. A breast lift surgery can help create a more youthful appearance to your overall figure.

Who Is a Breast Lift Meant For?

A breast lift is intended for patients who have seen a change in their breast tissue that has led to sagging or drooping. With age, a decrease in collagen and elastin in the skin can lead to significant changes, like laxity and loss of elasticity. This can cause the breasts to drop downwards and sit lower on the chest.

Sagging and drooping breasts can also result from significant weight loss or simple genetics. Whether due to age, weight loss, or genetics, patients who are not satisfied with the position of their breasts can benefit from a breast lift procedure.

How Is a Breast Lift Performed?

Breast lifts are performed under general anesthesia. We begin the procedure by making an incision through which the skin and underlying tissue can be lifted and repositioned. 

There are several different types of breast lift incision techniques. 

Donut incisions and lollipop incisions are both made around the circumference of the areola. However, lollipop incisions also have a vertical line that extends down to the bottom of the breast. 

An anchor incision is the same as a lollipop incision, but it has an additional incision extending along the crease of the breast. 

A crescent incision is made in a half-moon shape along the top of the areola. This type of incision is reserved for mild cases of sagging.

Once the appropriate incisions have been made, excess skin will be resected or removed, and the underlying breast tissue will be lifted into a higher position on the chest.

If necessary, the nipples and areola can be altered to fit the new breast position. The incisions will then be closed with small sutures to result in the most discreet result possible. 

Breast Surgery at Legacy Plastic Surgery

Have you not been feeling satisfied with the appearance of your breasts due to sagging? Do you feel that your breasts should be larger to better fit your figure? Breast surgery can help resolve many common aesthetic issues, including drooping, sagging, loss of firmness, asymmetry, and disproportionately small breasts. 

Legacy Plastic Surgery in Exton, PA, offers breast augmentation and breast lift procedures that can create the bustline you desire. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about breast surgery, please contact us online or by phone.