Some of the major procedures in plastic surgery to enhance breast appearance include breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction surgery. Several nuances exist in each procedure, and it is important for a patient to know the differences in order to make the right decision. Patients are typically uncertain about whether to opt for breast implants or breast lift surgery.
Sometimes it is more effective to combine both breast implants and breast lift in order to meet the unique aesthetic goals of a patient more closely. Dr. Sundin is an experienced plastic surgeon providing a wide range of procedures for the breast, body, and face.
Larger-sized Breasts
The procedure that is specifically designed to increase breast size is breast augmentation. It is one of the most popular procedures in the US today. However, many times, the patients will ask if insertion of breast implants may also help to improve the position of the breasts and make them less saggy. An experienced plastic surgeon will inform the patients about the marginal benefits that breast augmentation may provide in terms of lifting the breasts, but primarily the goal of the procedure is only to increase the breast size.
Breast implant surgery will be recommended when the nipples and areolas are positioned near the breast center and not pointing downwards. If the breasts show some amount of skin beneath the areolas when looking straight on, it means the breasts are not very droopy. In such a case, marginal improvement in lifting of breasts may be achieved with implant surgery. Dr. Sundin will assess various factors closely before suggesting the most appropriate treatment approach to his patients in Northern Virginia, Richmond and nearby locations.
Raised Position of Breasts
A breast lift surgery may be recommended in the following cases:
- Patient is dissatisfied with the appearance of heavily sagging breasts.
- Nipples are downward pointing.
- Skin underneath the nipples is not visible when looking at the breasts straight on.
- Patient is unhappy with the oversized areolas.
- Patient is not agreeable to the idea of increasing the breast size any further.
Breast Augmentation with Lift
Breast augmentation with breast lift may be performed in certain cases. The following conditions may be present when the surgeon recommends a combined surgery:
- Severely sagging breasts.
- Patient wants to achieve larger sized breasts along with firmer and lifted breasts.
- Patient wants to increase breast size along with ensuring better projection and roundness of the breast mound.
When breast lift surgery is performed alone, it will not be possible to achieve fullness in the upper aspect of the breasts. Breast augmentation in conjunction with breast lift is required when the patient expresses the desire to achieve upper aspect fullness along with firmer and raised breasts. The surgeon will prepare a treatment plan after considering the unique aesthetic needs of a patient.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit
Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.
