A Complete Guide to Cosmetic Breast Services: Augmentation, Reduction, & Lifts
There are many reasons as to why someone may consider cosmetic breast services; maybe you feel like your breasts are too small or too large for your frame, or you have an asymmetry that you’d love to correct. Perhaps, you’re concerned about drooping or sagging after childbirth or weight loss. Whatever your reason, our practice offers a full range of cosmetic breast services, including augmentation, reductions, and lifts. Here at Clark Aesthetics, we understand that choosing to have surgery is a big decision, and we want to help you make an informed choice. In this complete guide, we’ll discuss what each procedure entails, and cover things like: the benefits of each, how effective they are, and how long you can expect the results to last.
WHAT KIND OF COSMETIC BREAST SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
With a range of choices ranging from augmentation procedures (fat transfer or implants), to reduction procedures and breast lift surgeries, it’s important to understand the options available when considering cosmetic breast services. The type of cosmetic breast service you’ll need will be dependent on your individual needs and desired outcome. Here is a brief look at what each of these services are, and who they’re good for:
1. Breast Augmentation (mammoplasty): cosmetic breast augmentation involves the placement of implants (either saline or silicone) to enhance, reshape, or add volume to the breasts. This is a great option for those who feel their breasts are too small, or would like to create a more voluptuous look.
2. Breast Reduction (mammaplasty): this procedure focuses on shaping and lifting sagging breasts to give them a more youthful look. It involves surgically removing excess fat and tissue from the chest area in order to reduce their size while providing a perkier appearance. This is a great option for those who feel their breasts are too large, or simply want to decrease discomfort associated with having larger breasts.
3. Breast Lift (Mastopexy): cosmetic breast lift surgery involves the reshaping of the breasts to achieve a firmer, more youthful appearance. This is a great option for those who have experienced changes to the shape of their breasts due to pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging.
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT COSMETIC BREAST SERVICES: HOW THEY WORK, BENEFITS, & MORE!
Having gained a general understanding of what each cosmetic breast service is, and who they may be suitable for, let’s dig a little deeper into how each one works, what advantages they offer, and evaluate how successful they are in terms of their results and longevity.
BREAST AUGMENTATION – MAMMOPLASTY
HOW IT WORKS
This procedure involves either making use of fat from another area via fat transfer, to enhance one’s breasts, or involves placing breast implants under the chest muscle/breast tissue to increase the size of one’s breasts. The exact technique used for breast augmentation will depend on factors like the patient’s anatomy, desired outcome, and implant type (if applicable).
During the procedure, an incision will be made usually in the crease below the breast. If fat transfer is chosen instead of implants, it may require an additional incision for harvesting fat from elsewhere on your body. The implant or transferred fat will then be inserted through this incision and positioned behind either the chest muscle or breast tissue. Once in place, it will be secured with sutures and any excess skin removed if needed.
Recovery from breast augmentation can take up to several weeks, depending on how quickly you heal and how well you follow your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care. During this time, it is important to avoid strenuous activities and wear a supportive bra to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER?
First and foremost, it can increase the size and shape of your breasts, giving you more curves in all the right places. Additionally, it can restore lost volume due to pregnancy or weight loss, improve symmetry between asymmetrical breasts, and lift sagging breasts. The procedure also provides psychological benefits, such as increased self-esteem and body confidence. Many patients report feeling more beautiful after breast augmentation and are able to wear clothes with greater confidence.
It is important to also note that modern implants come with a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, so you can customize your results to create a look that is unique to you. This versatility makes breast augmentation an attractive option for many people who eagerly anticipate the transformative effects this surgery can offer them.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS BREAST AUGMENTATION & HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
Breast augmentation is an extremely effective way to achieve your desired look, and the results can last for many years. Generally speaking, silicone implants can stay in place for up to 10 years per FDA but may last around 20 before needing to be replaced or removed, while saline implants can last between 5 and 15 years.
However, the longevity of the results is largely dependent on how closely you follow each pre-operative and post-operative instruction from your surgeon. Additionally, factors such as age, lifestyle habits, and amount of time spent exposed to direct sunlight are all important when considering how long your results will last.
BREAST REDUCTION – REDUCTION MAMMAPLASTY
HOW IT WORKS
A breast reduction procedure is an effective way to reduce and reshape overly large breasts. This surgery works by removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from the chest area to give you a more proportional shape with a lifted and firmer appearance. The procedure typically takes 3-4 hours depending on the amount of work that needs to be done and is performed under general anesthesia for your safety and comfort.
During the operation, incisions are made around the nipple area so that excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin can be removed in order to achieve the desired results. In cases where a slight breast reduction is wanted, liposuction may be recommended instead, as it’s less invasive. But, this only works if a small amount of fat is being removed, as large fatty tissues, sagging, or asymmetry works better with an incision-based technique. Once complete, a compression garment or specialized surgical bra may be worn over the treated area in order to provide support and help reduce swelling during recovery.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER?
Breast reduction surgery offers a number of advantages, including improved comfort when wearing clothes and participating in physical activities, reduced back and shoulder pain, better posture and enhanced self-confidence due to an improved silhouette. In addition to these physical benefits, many women and men report feeling psychological effects like empowerment, and relief as the procedure helps you look and feel your best by helping you achieve a natural and proportionate shape. It can also be combined with other procedures such as a breast lift or augmentation to enhance the overall aesthetics of the breasts.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS BREAST REDUCTION & HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
This surgery type is highly effective at reducing overly large breasts in order to achieve a more balanced and proportionate silhouette in both men and women. The results will be natural-looking, and are long-lasting, with the exception of gaining a lot of weight or becoming pregnant. Patients generally do not need repeat or maintenance surgery.
BREAST LIFT – MASTOPEXY
HOW IT WORKS
A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that is designed to reshape and raise the breasts. The process begins with making incisions along the areola, breast fold, and under the arm. Excess skin is then removed and repositioned to provide a lifted appearance. Once the incisions have been made, stitches are used to secure the new shape and the nipples may be adjusted if necessary to balance out the shape & size of the breasts.
The entire process of a breast lift typically takes around two hours and recovery time ranges from two weeks to one month depending on how well you heal. During this time, it is important for patients to maintain their weight as much as possible in order to ensure that the results last longer, and should wear a supportive bra to reduce swelling and promote healing. After recovery is complete, most patients will notice a dramatic improvement in their self-confidence due to their more youthful look.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER?
A breast lift gives patients a more youthful look and improved self-confidence, by raising the breasts up and making them appear more symmetrical by balancing out their size and shape. The lift creates natural-looking results with no visible scarring, as the incisions are strategically placed to be concealed by clothing, making them noticeable to the naked eye. This procedure is also highly customizable, so patients should get the desired results that they want.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS BREAST LIFT & HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
A breast lift is a very effective way to balance out, raise up, and make the breasts appear younger and perkier. Results are permanent, and will last for years, but it’s important to know that time will continue to impact them as you age. Factors like diet, exercise, gravity and weight fluctuations can affect the longevity of the results.
ARE YOU READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR BREASTS & SILHOUETTE?
Make the transformation you have always dreamed of and achieve the silhouette you desire with Clark Aesthetics! Our experienced plastic surgeons specialize in cosmetic breast services, and will help tailor a plan to your individual needs. Schedule a consultation today and discover what we can do for you.
