Breast Lift vs. Breast Implants

A breast lift and breast implants are both cosmetic procedures aimed at addressing the aesthetic and functional concerns many women have regarding their breasts. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at both cosmetic procedures to help you decide whether a breast lift or breast implants may be the right choice for you. 

Our board-certified surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, specialises in both procedures. Furthermore, with extensive experience in the field, he has the skills and expertise to design a bespoke surgical approach, taking into account your desired aesthetic as well as your suitability for either procedure. 

Which Procedure is Right For You?

Breast lift surgery and breast implants have varying results, so choosing the right procedure is essential for ensuring satisfaction. The table below summarises the main differences between the two procedures to help inform your decision. 

	Breast Lift	Breast Implants
Purpose	Treats sagging, deflated breasts, not volume	Adds extra volume to breasts
Results	Removes excess skin, creates perkier breasts	Substantial enhancement to the breasts
Anaesthetic	Sedation or general	Sedation or general
Full Recovery	6-8 weeks	6 weeks
Scarring	Scarring most prominent for vertical and inverted-T techniques	Visible scarring underneath breast crease, around nipples, or in the underarm
Longevity	Varies	10-15 years

It’s also worth noting that a breast lift and breast augmentation with implants can be combined. This combination surgery is ideal for women who want both a significant increase in the volume of their breasts as well as a firmer, more forward-facing projection. 

Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and reshaping breast tissue. 

The main aim of the surgery is to provide patients with perkier breasts, and it is an ideal procedure for women after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a significant weight loss.

Benefits of a Breast Lift

There is a range of aesthetic and medical breast lift benefits:

• A breast lift provides saggy and drooping breasts with a raised position, making them look perkier and more youthful.
• A breast lift can reposition the nipple-areolar complex to give your nipples a more natural, forward-facing projection.
• Breast lift scars can be minimal depending on the type of breast lift, such as the crescent lift and periareolar lift. 
• A breast lift can alleviate the discomfort and irritation caused by excess skin around the breasts.

Breast Lift Before and After

How Much is a Breast Lift?

In general, the price of a breast lift in London at the CREO Clinic starts from £8,500. However, because a breast lift is an individualised surgery, the costs of the procedure can vary depending on the surgical needs of each patient. 

Breast Lift Procedure

Once an anaesthetic has been administered, the surgeon will start by making an incision on the surgical site according to one of the four breast lift techniques: crescent lift, periareolar lift, vertical lift, or an inverted-T lift.

Following this, the required amount of excess skin will be removed, and the breast tissue will be reshaped. The nipples and areolas may also be raised and resized to give a natural-looking finish. 

Finally, the remaining skin of the breasts is brought back together and tightened as the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches.

How Long is Breast Lift Recovery?

During your breast lift recovery, you may experience swelling and soreness in your breasts. This will gradually dissipate over the first few weeks, allowing you to resume most of your daily activities. You will also be required to wear a compression garment for six weeks after surgery to help reduce swelling. 

You must wait at least six weeks before lifting heavy weights and returning to your normal exercise routine. This is to ensure that the incision site has plenty of time to heal properly, preventing the risk of wound breakdown. 

When Can You See Breast Lift Results?

Your breasts may feel tight and appear a little higher than expected immediately after surgery. 

Over the next couple of months, your body will begin to heal, allowing the swelling to completely subside after 3-6 months. By this time, you’ll notice that your breasts look perkier in appearance and have settled into their natural position. 

Breast Implants

Breast implants can address the aesthetic concerns of patients who want larger breasts that are more proportionate to their figure. The implants are made of medical-grade silicone or saline and are available in a range of different shapes and sizes, enabling the surgeon to customise the surgery to produce your desired results. 

Benefits of Breast Implants

There are several benefits associated with breast implants. Explained below are some of the most important:

• Breast implants can add significant volume to the breasts, making them ideal for women who have small or low-volume breasts.
• Implants can be combined with fat transfer for a natural-looking result.
• Implants can be used to create balance and symmetry in breasts that appear uneven.
• The results of breast implants are long-lasting, with implants typically lasting up to 10-15 years.

Breast Implants Before and After

How Much Are Breast Implants?

In general, the cost of breast implants at the CREO Clinic starts from £6,900. However, the price can vary depending on the surgical complexity of your procedure. You will find out the exact cost of your surgery after a consultation with our plastic surgeon. 

Breast Implants Procedure

Breast implant surgery usually takes between 1-2 hours to complete and is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia. Depending on the type of implant being inserted, the surgeon will make incisions under the creases of the breasts, beneath the nipples, or in the underarm. 

Following this, the surgeon will insert the implant either over, under, or partly over and under the pectoralis major muscle. After securing the implants, the incisions are then closed with sutures. 

How Long is Breast Implants Recovery?

Immediately after your surgery, you may experience swelling, soreness, and discomfort around your breasts. This will gradually dissipate over the first two weeks of the healing process, allowing you to return to work and resume light exercise. 

Most patients are able to make a full recovery after six weeks, including all forms of exercise. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication, as well as other aftercare instructions, to help manage your recovery. 

When Can You See Breast Implants Results?

After the procedure, your breasts will appear larger and sit higher than expected due to the swelling and pressure on your chest. However, the implants will settle into a natural position as your chest muscles begin to relax during the early stages of recovery. 

The final results of the treatment will become visible once the residual swelling has completely subsided. This can take around 3-4 months, but after this period, your breasts will look and feel natural.

Pros and Cons of Breast Lift

Pros

• A breast lift can provide your breasts with a more youthful appearance, making them look perkier and feel firmer. 
• Mastopexy offers a range of functional benefits, including improved spinal health. 
• A breast lift can alleviate the discomfort and irritation caused by excess skin around the breasts.

Cons

• Like with any surgery, scarring is a factor. This can be discussed during your consultation.
• A breast lift can affect nipple sensitivity due to the number of small nerves around the breasts.

Pros and Cons of Breast Implants

Pros 

• They can add significant volume to your breasts, which is ideal if you have small breasts or less volume in your breasts due to ageing, breastfeeding, or weight loss. 
• Implants are available in a range of different shapes and sizes, enabling your surgeon to customise the procedure in line with the proportions of your body. 
• Implants provide results that last for 10-15 years. 

Cons

• Although a rare occurrence, breast implants can leak or burst if you suffer significant trauma to the chest. 
• Despite being permanent, implants are eventually removed or replaced due to capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant) or results altering with age.
• General risks associated with inserting foreign objects into the body, such as infection.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Lift

A breast lift surgery may be right for you if:

• Your confidence or comfort has been affected by the fact that your breasts droop or have lost shape.
• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape.
• You are physically healthy and able to maintain a stable weight.
• You are post-pregnancy and don’t plan on having more children.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Implants

Breast implants may be right for you if:

• Your breasts are asymmetrical or lack adequate volume.
• You are in a healthy frame of mind and have realistic expectations.
• You do not smoke or consume large amounts of alcohol.

Schedule a Consultation With CREO Clinic Today

CREO Clinic’s double board-certified surgeon, Dr Tillo, specialises in breast surgery and has extensive experience in completing reconstructive breast procedures with different techniques. 

Book a 1-on-1 consultation with us today to begin your bespoke cosmetic journey and get one step closer to achieving your ideal breasts.