Breast Implants or Breast Lift

**caterpillar79** · 11-30-2011 10:19 PM

Given you're a 34B, petite with an average body - which one would you go for:

Breast lift or breast implants? Why or why not?

If you're a guy, which one would you prefer - perkier breasts (lift) or bigger breasts (implants)?

Please don't give me the "if he loves you, he'll accept your flaws" - that's a given. I'm just curious about what you all think about those two breast enhancement methods.

**ItsASecret** · 11-30-2011 10:24 PM

Lift. At the 34B size it is going to either go relatively okay with the silicone or it is going to have an unappealing tight skin cantelope under the skin look. Either outcome will cost thousands upon thousands of dollars, have massive risk of infection, large risk of later leakage, movement of the actual implant, and often have scar tissue.

The lift will have minimal scaring, cost less, and not have the chance of looking completely abnormal.

**Fallen1** · 12-01-2011 08:17 AM

I agree with IAS .... there is a chance of abnormality with the implants BUT I also think it all depends on the doctor you choose etc.

My experience has been a mix. I had my original implant surgery a little over 10 years ago. The first was saline implants. I went from a 36AAA (not even filling a triple A bra - literally flat as a board) to 36C. I chose the "C" along with my doctor because of my hip size. I wanted my top half to be in proportion to my bottom half.

After the recovery time and things settled down I was pleased but not totally. They were hard to the touch and as IAS mentions the skin looked tight. I'd say it was like having a ball filled to capacity with water under your skin. They didn't move/bounce like natural breast and when you were laying on your back they stayed straight up. I never was comfortable laying on my stomach as I had been before.

Five years after the original surgery (back in 2007) I opted to go back and have them replaced with silicone implants. MUCH better results as far as the look/feel. I feel more comfortable with them and can actually lay on my stomach and it not feel funny if I choose to do so. Unless someone really took the time to analyze them up close they wouldn't be able to tell that they are not natural. They look and feel like natural breasts to the touch - even "bounce" when I walk/jump. I'm not kidding when I say I had to tell my husband they were fake, he didn't realize it - of course his first experience was in a dimly lit room. I'm sure he would have eventually figured it out upon further "inspection" especially when he noticed the scars underneath.

It is/can be expensive. We are lucky enough to have a very reputable Medical School here in town so I was able to go to the clinic/doctor that the school uses for teaching the students. The second surgery cost me about $4000 but that is about half of what it would have costs if I had chosen another place.

**caterpillar79** · 12-01-2011 10:38 PM

Granting, breast implant is not a good route. How about the scar on breast lift - will it become less visible in time? How does it compare with the Ceasarian section scar in terms of healing and visibility as time passes (not the size/length)?

**ItsASecret** · 12-01-2011 11:04 PM

The scarring will be less than that of a C-section because far less is being cut, but the cut itself depends on how much breast tissue and skin removal will occur. There is a variety of different types of cuts but for the most part you will have swelling, bruising, and soreness for at least a couple days. The largest scars occur if a doctor decides to cut along the underside of the breast because it most often will follow that contour line, they may not follow the whole contour though. However some procedures do not even use that contour line. The doctor would go through which procedure they believe would work best based on the patients breast shape, size, and 'sag'. Doctors will also say that the actual appearance of the lift will not be fully healed until a couple of months which makes sense because it is a surgery and your body will have to get use to it too (much like the case with breast implants).

**Fallen1** · 12-02-2011 08:01 PM

Cat, what I would advise at this stage is to take into account what IAS and I have responded with into account and if you are serious about either/or kind of surgery go see a reputable doctor on a CONSULTATION ONLY visit. Ask all the questions you can think of, ask to see/handle the implants (both saline and silicone) and ask everything you can think of about a lift only procedure. After that take some time to think things over, research some more, weight the facts and then really think things over for yourself.

If and when you decide which or if, you know we will be here for you.

Good luck!

**LanaBear** · 12-02-2011 09:12 PM

Scarring also depends on the person. Some people just scar horribly and others not so much. I had my lift in September and I've healed pretty well, IMO. My Dr was even surprised just a few weeks out at how well I healed. I still plan on getting silicone strips and helping the process along, but my c-section scars you couldn't even ever tell they were there.

Go to your consultation, ask all the questions that you can think of and more. You can never be prepared enough for going into any surgery. I was almost positive I was going to get implants but after I thought and thought and thought and THOUGHT about it, well, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. I'm more than happy with just my lift.

**caterpillar79** · 12-03-2011 09:50 AM

Thank you, ladies. I'm scheduled to see one of the docs Lana and I picked out of the roster who are close to my area. I'm leaning more towards a lift only procedure but really concerned over the scar. I have a natural tan all year round and I read that darker skinned people are more likely to form keloids (which I have from my appendectomy when I was in high school). However, I also have a scar from my tubal ligation in 2005 and though I can see it myself, it is not that visible unless I point if out to my husband (in the light).

I will keep shopping for docs and see what they say and how much they charge, etc.... I'm also considering doing both procedures together: tummy tuck and breast lift. I understand that I need to gain more muscles for the tuck to look better, but this season is making me feel blah! I'm maintaining the weight well but the inches/muscles, I'm losing. Need some more self-discipline.

**Seeker_Advice** · 12-04-2011 09:43 PM

Male perspective...

From the perspective of you being my partner....

LIFT.

Less risk up front and the potential for who knows what down the road.

**caterpillar79** · 12-22-2011 09:55 AM

Okay, here is the update from the 1st doctor appointment I made. I want you all to understand that I am still on the 'shopping for a plastic surgeon' phase.

I went into the doctor's office, signed some documents, mostly about my medical history and photo release form, which I scratched off... and then was lead to a room. The doctor came in and told me to take off all my clothes and wear a lab gown made of paper which open in front. He measured my breasts, touched them to see if there are bumps and also to measure the sag - under the breast fold. This was done while I was sitting. He told me that my left breast is normal and that it is perky, there is no need for me to do anything on that one. The right one is a bit saggy but he said he doesn't advice a lift only. He told me further that at this point, if I don't want any augmentation/implants, I have to wait for 5 more years to really justify a breast lift. (In my mind, I'm asking myself - "Am I really so hard on myself? DO I really have this so low of a self-esteem because of my breasts?")

Then, he had me stand up and took photos of my tummy/abdominal area. He suggested a mini-tummy tuck with lipo, which I expected. I plan to do this in a year or two actually. But first, I'll make it a target to lose some more weight and tone so that when I schedule the surgery, there's more tone and form already there - better results.

Back on the breasts....I'll try to see another doctor (or maybe 2) and see what if they'd tell me the same thing. I'll also compare the $ they want for the surgery. Right now, I am still leaning towards NO to implants.