Overview: There’s a misconception that implants will solve a variety of breast problems for women, such as transforming sagging breasts into perkier ones. However, augmentation mammoplasty only enhances the volume and size of a woman’s breasts and it is actually mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, that focuses on giving a perkier appearance. Continue reading this blog for more information on these two breast enhancement procedures.
If you’re unhappy with the appearance and feel of your breasts, it is important to determine what plastic surgery procedure will achieve your desired benefits. Two popular reasons that women seek breast enhancement are dissatisfaction with breast size and breasts that have begun to sag. Let’s focus on the issues surrounding breasts that begin to sag.
There are numerous reasons why breasts begin to droop or sag. Aging affects all aspects of the body and as women age their breasts naturally start to lose their youthful shape. Another cause of sagging breasts is significant weight loss combined with decreased skin elasticity and pregnant women often have the same issue. With pregnancy, hormones activate milk glands and cause breasts to grow and swell. After nursing their babies, some women find that their breasts remain the same size but for others, the breast volume decreases. Once again, depending on the elasticity of the stretched skin, the result can be sagging breasts. Genetics also play a big part in the shape and size of breasts. Some women just genetically develop breasts that hang low.
If you are happy with the size of your breasts but are not happy with any of the above mentioned effects that cause sagging, than the best-suited procedure is mastopexy. Mastopexy, commonly known as breast lift surgery is a procedure that raises the breasts, making them firmer and restoring a youthful appearance.
In contrast, breast augmentation surgery uses silicone or saline implants to enhance the size of a woman’s breast and in some cases it can give the appearance of a breast lift, depending on the patient. Implants that are placed behind the pectoral muscle fill the upper and lower portions of the breast. This specific placement gives the appearance of perkier breasts but only for women with mildly sagging breasts. For perspective patients with breasts that are sagging severely, implants can actually make them look more awkward. In those cases mastopexy is the better solution.
The two plastic surgery procedures mastopexy and breast augmentation are different, but both successfully achieve their desired aesthetic goals. The physical change is immediate in both cases and the advancement of the procedures in the last decade has made the recovery period short. Dr. Ladak emphasizes patient care before and after all plastic surgery procedures and he monitors the recovery period of his patients closely. He will let patients know if they need to scale back on activities during the healing period and also teaches them how to change dressings to keep incision sites clean.
The Bottom Line: There are a variety of tests that women endure to find out if their breasts are hanging low or not, by using pencils and other YouTube-inspired methods. However, you know your body the best and if you find that your breasts are too small, too large, or are beginning to sag, talk to Dr. Ladak to find the best solution. Dr. Ladak at his clinic in Edmonton has thorough consultations and examinations to discover what breast enhancement procedure will achieve the greatest results.
If you’re interested in finding out more about what Dr. Adil Ladak’s plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in Edmonton, Alberta, call today to schedule a consultation.