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Breast Lift with Implants v. Breast Lift Without Implants

Breast Lift with Implants v. Breast Lift Without Implants

In need of a little lift-off to get things looking buoyant again?  Read on for your best options in breast lift surgery that won’t fall flat.

There is a myriad of reasons why a woman may want to consider undergoing breast lift surgery, including reversing the effects of: the natural aging process, the physical aftermath of child rearing/breastfeeding, and unsightly sagginess due to weight loss, just to name a few.  There are a multitude of breast lift treatment options that offer their own unique beautification benefits, while boosting voluptuous volume to lax breast tissue, but they mainly fall into two categories – with implants and without implants.  Let’s explore which gravity-defying option stacks up for boosting your bosom’s bounce and undoing that dreaded droop.

Breast Lift Without Implants

Breast lift surgery, medically referred to as “mastopexy,” is a cosmetic surgery procedure aiming to change the shape and elevation of lax breast tissue.  Shape, size, volume, and elevation are modified by strategically eliminating excess skin and tightening surrounding tissue for a more restored, rejuvenated, and perkier pair.  In most cases, reduction of the areola (the colored area encircling the nipple) is addressed as well.  The most requested breast lift surgery without implants is the Bellesoma Method, which uses a cutting-edge, computer-generated blueprint of the patient’s desired breast appearance (their “dream” breast) and compares it with a 3D model of the patient’s entire body composition to yield the best proportionate outcome without relying on guessing games.  This customized breast lift surgery plan eliminates room for error and delivers the most predictable, realistic results for each individual patient prior to surgery.  Generally, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia with virtually no visible scarring afterward.

The following benefits make the Bellesoma the most requested and successful of mastopexies:

  • No vertical scarring – Unlike traditional breast lift surgery, the revolutionary Bellesoma breast lift technique requires an incision around the areola and along underside of the breast crease where the new position is to be, leaving no unsightly scarring.  
  • No Implants Necessary – Because the patient’s own breast tissue is used to restore desired elevation, projection, position, cleavage, and volume, the need for implants is eliminated.  
  • Pain Reduction – Since the new breast mounds using the patient’s own breast tissue are sutured into the pectoral chest muscle, this alleviates a considerable amount of pain or pressure off the back, neck, and arms.  

This” no-implants” breast lift technique is highly recommended for women seeking a more youthful appearance with increased lift and fullness on top or those wishing to remove their current breast implants, but still desire that voluptuous volume and bounce.

Breast Lift with Implants

Traditionally, almost all breast lift surgery required implants to achieve desired aesthetic.  And, while many women will opt for the more innovative breast lifts that don’t require implants, traditional mastopexy with implant requirement is still a likely option for many women, especially for those who seek a bigger cup size with all the aesthetic benefits of a lift, as described earlier.  After a personal evaluation is assessed by Dr. Schwartz of Beverly Hills Breast Institute, both the patient and Dr. Schwartz can then decide on the type of breast implant that will accompany the breast lift procedure.  The following are the most common types of breast implants:

  • Silicone – Constructed of a soft silicone shell with soft silicone filling, this breast implant type best simulates that of natural breast tissue.
  • Saline – Comprised of a silicone shell and filled with a saltwater solution, saline breast implants can be custom-filled during the cosmetic procedure.  The drawback to saline breast implants is their likelihood to develop telltale rippling or wrinkling in patients with thin breast tissue.  
  • Gummy Bear – These cohesive, gel-based implants are thicker than their counterparts, maintain their shape, and possess structurally-appealing qualities due to their “smaller at the top, larger on the bottom” shape that mimics a natural breast.  Fun fact:  Dr. Schwartz is currently the highest-volume user of the “gummy bear” breast implant in the United States.

Also, placement of the implant, whether it’s behind the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue, is pertinent to each patient’s desired result.  Behind the pectoral muscle placement requires a longer recovery period, but the pay-off is usually well worth it, as it renders a more natural look and feel overtime.  Conversely, implant placement behind the breast tissue requires a speedier downtime with minimal scarring, but tends to be more “noticeable” and not as natural-looking as placement behind the pectoral muscle.

Conclusion

When discussing your body goals with your doctor, it’s important to factor in age, skin elasticity, amount of accumulated laxity, current amount of natural tissue, and realistic expectations to help strategize a customized surgical plan that will prove to be the most successful.  In most cases, a combination of breast implants with a breast lift will yield the most desired results and is what Dr. Schwartz colloquially refers to as the “internal bra.” If you’re considering undergoing breast lift surgery, please be sure to contact our office for a personal consultation and comprehensive physical and medical evaluation with Dr. Schwartz.

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Contact our office for more information about how to treat gynecomastia. Dr. Jaime Schwartz, a board-certified plastic surgeon, will talk to you about your needs and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.