Your breasts go through many stages in your life, from puberty to pregnancy and the aging process. These life changes and gravity take a toll on the fullness and elevation of your breasts, making some women look to breast surgery to restore a youthful bust. Breast augmentation and breast lift are popular plastic surgeries that can provide excellent results when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Mune Gowda in Novi and Troy. However, choosing the right breast surgery depends on your specific concerns.
What Are Your Breast Concerns?
Your breast tissue changes over time, causing a once full bosom to lose volume. The loss of elasticity in your skin coupled with pregnancy or breastfeeding can lead to moderate to severe breast ptosis (drooping). When weighing your options for breast surgery, consider your specific concerns. Are you primarily unhappy with the size and shape of your breasts? Or is breast drooping the issue?
Breast augmentation solely focuses on enhancing breast size with FDA-approved breast implants made with saline and silicone. A breast lift works to reposition the breasts to a higher position on the chest.
How Much Do Your Breasts Droop?
The degree of breast ptosis is measured by the relation and projection of your nipple to the crease underneath your breasts. Sagging breasts are considered mild (Grade I) if the nipple is at the same level as the crease or less than one centimeter below it. Moderate (Grade II) breast drooping is when the nipple is one to three centimeters beneath the crease and severe breast ptosis (Grade III) occurs when the nipple drops more than three centimeters.
The ideal breast shape and location gently slopes from your collarbone to your nipple, with the nipple pointing outward (not down) and above the crease under the breast. Breast drooping that is mild to moderate can be improved during breast augmentation if the breast implants are strategically placed. Grade III breast ptosis will require a breast lift, and in many cases, Dr. Gowda can use the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) to conceal the incision and scar.
Combining Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift
The primary goal of breast augmentation is to increase breast size, while a breast lift focuses on the position of the breasts. These breast surgeries are often combined to deliver the best results. Dr. Gowda is a board-certified plastic surgeon who will evaluate your breast size and shape as well as the location of the breasts on your chest to help you find the right procedure(s) for your needs.
If you are interested in breast surgery, do not hesitate to give Gowda MD & Associates offices a call or send us an email. You can reach our Novi office at (248) 305-8400 and our Troy office at (248) 530-0000.