Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty or Breast Lift Mastopexy: What’s Best For Me

When it comes to breast surgery, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Patients have different natural breast shapes, proportions, cosmetic goals, and other factors that play a part in their surgical plan. If you’re wondering whether you might benefit from a breast augmentation or breast lift (mammoplasty or mastopexy), you should keep a few things in mind.

You can discuss which type of surgery might suit you in a consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon. Contact our team at Valley Plastic Surgery in Brisbane for one-on-one guidance.

What is breast augmentation mammoplasty?

A breast augmentation mammoplasty procedure aims to increase the volume of the breasts. Surgeons can achieve this with the use of breast implants. In some cases, fat grafting is used instead of implants to create an increase in volume. A person may get this procedure if they are concerned about naturally small breasts or a loss of breast volume due to ageing or weight loss.

What is breast lift mastopexy?

A breast lift or mastopexy surgery doesn’t aim to change the size of the breasts. Instead, it works to alter the breasts’ shape by removing excess or lax skin. It may also alter the position of the breasts on the chest or the position of the nipples. This tends to suit patients who are concerned about skin laxity on the breasts due to ageing or weight loss, but who don’t desire a change in volume.

Things to consider

To know which procedure may be a suitable choice for you, it’s important to consider your natural breast shape, size, and position, as well as your goals and the possible risks. Consider the following factors:

Skin laxity

The amount of skin laxity you have may play a role in your surgical plan. For example, a mild degree of skin laxity can be of benefit to patients who undergo a breast augmentation mammoplasty. This is because the mild excess skin allows room for the implant. However, if you have more moderate or severe laxity, you may need to undergo mastopexy (breast lift) techniques, according to your desired breast shape or position.

Nipple position

The location of the nipple may be a concern for some patients. If you have a low nipple position, or if your nipples point downwards, a breast lift mastopexy might be a suitable option for you.

Breast volume and size

Weight loss, pregnancy, or natural ageing can cause the breasts to lose volume over time. While some patients might desire to restore their lost breast volume (with implants), others may simply wish to address their breast shape by removing excess or lax breast skin (with mastopexy surgery). This means that whether or not you desire more breast volume will determine what kind of surgery you get.

Risks and potential consequences

When deciding which surgery to undergo, you should consider the risks and possible future consequences of your choice. General risks of surgery can include infection, seroma, asymmetry, scarring, as well as other surgical risks. But there are also risks particular to certain surgeries, such as the risk of implant rupture or capsular contracture in the case of breast augmentation mammoplasty. A breast lift mastopexy may lead to more scarring and risk of sensation loss.

If you choose to get a breast augmentation mammoplasty, you’ll need to consider the additional cost of implants. As well as this, consider that implants don’t last forever, and you will probably need another surgery in the future to get them removed or replaced. Ask yourself if this aligns with your goals.

Other surgical options

Your surgeon will explain your options to you in a consultation. In some cases, patients may be able to get a combined procedure (breast lift mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty). This refers to when a patient has breast skin removed or repositioned, in addition to implants.

The purpose of a consultation

If you’re still not sure which surgery is right for you, you might benefit from speaking with a qualified plastic surgeon in a consultation. This discussion is the only way to find out if you are a candidate for a breast procedure. It also may help you to understand the pros and cons of having breast surgery, and the possible effects of each option, to help you make your decision. Your surgeon will ask for information about your health, lifestyle, concerns, and goals, to help determine if you might be suitable for surgery.

To prepare for your consultation, it’s a good idea to do some preparation beforehand. Try to think through your cosmetic goals, and ask yourself why you want to get a breast procedure. Expressing your cosmetic concerns or goals will be helpful for your surgeon in order to assess your candidacy and create a treatment plan.

Choosing Valley Plastic Surgery for cosmetic breast surgery in Brisbane

When it comes to breast augmentation or breast lift (mammoplasty or mastopexy), deciding which surgery to pursue is a significant decision. It’s of great value to look for an experienced plastic surgeon to help you through the process and explain what you might expect from different procedure techniques. Our trained and knowledgeable plastic surgeons at Valley Plastic Surgery in Brisbane share a commitment to patient care and are happy to answer any questions about your desired procedure.

Book a consultation or read more about mammoplasty breast augmentation or breast lift mastopexy.