There is no question that perky breasts are a sign of youth and femininity. For many women, however, age, genetics, breastfeeding, and other factors can cause the breasts to lose volume and begin to sag. This can, understandably, be discouraging, frustrating, and even embarrassing for many women. The caring and professional team at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, led by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. James Romanelli and Dr. John Layliev, are committed to helping Long Island, NY patients restore a more youthful physique through breast augmentation, and a variety of other procedures, so that they can once again feel comfortable in their own skin. With a wide array of cosmetic options available, it is important to understand which procedure may be most appropriate to help you achieve your individual goals. Read on to learn why breast augmentation, breast lift, or even breast reduction may be right for you.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to increase the volume of the breasts using either synthetic implants (saline or silicone gel) or a fat transfer technique. There are a variety of reasons that women seek out breast augmentation, including simply wanting larger breasts. However, most often a breast augmentation is performed to restore or enhance the size of the breasts when volume has been lost. Some of the most common factors that may cause a woman to lose breast volume include:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Weight loss
- Aging
- Trauma
- Breast cancer/mastectomy
Will breast augmentation make my boobs perky?
In some cases, a breast augmentation alone is enough to achieve a perkier, more youthful look. When an appropriately sized breast implant is selected and fills out the breast pocket, the breasts can sometimes appear to have been lifted. However, when the skin is stretched out significantly or has lost a great deal of elasticity, which can happen due to aging, weight loss, breastfeeding, and other life events, a surgical breast lift may be needed.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Romanelli or Dr. Layliev will thoroughly evaluate your case, discuss your specific concerns and goals, and answer your questions in detail before recommending a customized surgical plan that best fits your needs. For some Long Island, NY patients, a breast augmentation with a lift may be appropriate, while women who desire a perkier look without increasing their breast size may be better suited to breast lift alone.
How does a breast lift work?
A breast lift is a highly effective procedure that raises the breasts to a higher, more youthful position through excess skin removal. During a breast lift, the surgeon will make one or more incisions on the breast and excise a portion of the excess, stretched out skin. By pulling the remaining skin together and securing it with sutures, the breast is lifted and appears perkier. The location and extent of the incisions used in a breast lift can vary from patient to patient, depending on the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed, additional procedures being performed, whether or not there is any scar tissue present, and a number of other factors. While breast lift often results in a more visible level of scarring than breast augmentation alone, most patients agree that the dramatic improvement in their breasts is well worth the scar.
Do I need a breast lift or breast reduction?
Patients with overly large or heavy breasts may benefit greatly by breast reduction, which can both reduce their physical burden as well as lift the breasts into a more natural position. Some common signs that you may need a breast reduction rather than a lift alone include:
- Excessively large, heavy breasts
- Muscle pain in neck, back, and shoulders
- Poor posture
- Painful lines or indentations from bra straps
- Difficulty or discomfort with exercise
- Numbness or tingling in arms and hands
- Rash or skin irritation in breast crease
If you are experiencing these symptoms, a breast reduction may be helpful in reducing the size of the breast as well as restoring a perkier appearance. However, if you are simply looking to raise the breasts while maintaining their volume, a breast lift – formally known as mastopexy – may be right for you.
Am I a good candidate for breast implants?
Most adult women who are in good health, do not smoke, and are at a stable, healthy weight can be considered for breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, though there are additional factors that need to be evaluated. To find out with certainty whether or not you may qualify for cosmetic breast surgery, call the Huntington, NY office of Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. James Romanelli and Dr. John Layliev today. We are also excited to now offer online consultations for patients who prefer to complete their appointment from the comfort and privacy of their own home. We look forward to helping you regain your confidence, enhance your look, and change your life through one of our exciting cosmetic procedures soon!
