Breast augmentation6 min read
Types of breast surgery: augmentation, lift, reduction and correction explained
Breast surgery is not one operation but a family of procedures with very different goals. Some add volume, some lift and reshape, some remove weight and some restore what was lost. This guide explains the main types in plain words, shows how they differ and how they can be combined, and describes how a surgeon decides which option actually fits your body.
The main points in 30 seconds
- Augmentation adds volume, a lift raises the breast, a reduction removes size and weight.
- A lift can be done with or without implants, depending on whether volume is also needed.
- Implant removal and reconstruction are separate operations with their own goals.
- The right option is chosen by examination: nipple position, tissue, skin and your goals.
- City Medical Centre performs augmentation, lifts, reduction, implant removal and reconstruction.
Key facts about the procedure
- Operation time1.5–3 hours
- Back to work7–14 days
- Stay in clinic1 day
- Fixed price$4,700
An overview of breast surgery options
Most people come to a consultation with one question: what exactly needs to change? The answer points to the right operation. Volume, position, weight and symmetry are separate problems, and each has its own solution.
Augmentation with implants
- Main goal
- More volume and fullness
- Usually suits
- Small or deflated breasts in a good position
Breast lift without implants
- Main goal
- A higher, firmer shape
- Usually suits
- Sagging breasts with enough volume
Breast lift with implants
- Main goal
- Lift plus extra volume
- Usually suits
- Sagging breasts that have also lost fullness
Breast reduction
- Main goal
- Less size and weight
- Usually suits
- Large, heavy breasts causing discomfort
Implant removal
- Main goal
- Taking out existing implants
- Usually suits
- Complications or a wish to live without implants
Breast reconstruction
- Main goal
- Restoring shape and volume
- Usually suits
- After surgery, injury or a congenital condition
All of these are operations under general anaesthesia, and all require a full medical check-up beforehand.
Breast augmentation with implants
Augmentation increases breast size with silicone implants placed behind the breast tissue or partly behind the chest muscle. It is chosen by people who feel their breasts are too small, who have lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or who want a fuller upper part of the breast.
Together with the surgeon you choose the shape, profile and volume of the implants, taking into account chest width and the amount of your own tissue. The incision is usually short and placed in the fold under the breast. Augmentation adds volume but does not correct significant sagging; if the nipple sits low, a lift may be needed as well.
Breast lift (mastopexy)
A breast lift raises the breast and nipple to a higher position and tightens the skin. It is typically considered after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or with age, when the breast has dropped and the nipple points downwards.
- Lift without implants reshapes your own tissue, removes excess skin and moves the nipple and areola higher. The volume stays about the same.
- Lift with implants combines the lift with augmentation in one operation, for breasts that have both dropped and emptied.
The scars of a lift are longer than those of augmentation, often around the areola and down to the breast fold. Their extent depends on how much lifting is needed.
Breast reduction
Breast reduction removes glandular tissue, fat and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter and higher. Many patients choose it not only for appearance but because of neck and back pain, shoulder grooves from bra straps, skin irritation under the breasts or difficulty exercising.
The nipple is repositioned during the operation and the breast is reshaped at the same time, so a reduction also works as a lift. Scars are similar to those of a lift. Because milk-producing tissue is removed, breastfeeding may be more difficult afterwards, which is worth discussing if you plan children.
Breast reconstruction
Reconstruction restores the shape and volume of a breast after surgery, injury or in some congenital conditions. The method depends on the situation, the condition of the tissues and any previous treatment, and it may require more than one stage.
Reconstruction is planned individually, often together with the specialists who treated the original condition. The aim is a breast that looks balanced in clothing and, as far as possible, matches the other side.
Asymmetry and shape correction
Slight differences between the breasts are normal, but a noticeable difference in size, shape or nipple position can be corrected. Depending on the cause, the surgeon may use implants of different volumes, lift or reduce one side more than the other, or combine several techniques.
Correction also includes operations on existing implants. Implant removal is performed when implants cause complications such as capsular contracture or rupture, or simply when a person no longer wants them. Removal may be combined with a lift so that the breast keeps a good shape. Complete symmetry cannot be promised, because natural breasts are rarely identical.
How surgeons choose the right procedure
The choice is based on an examination rather than on the name of an operation you have read about. At the consultation the surgeon usually assesses:
- the position of the nipple relative to the breast fold, which shows whether a lift is needed;
- the amount and quality of breast tissue and skin elasticity;
- chest width and posture;
- your goals, plans for pregnancy and general health.
Two procedures are often combined, for example a lift with implants or removal of implants with a lift. Recovery depends on the scope of surgery: many people return to desk work after one to two weeks, while heavy exercise is avoided for about six weeks. You can see the step-by-step process from consultation to follow-up on the breast surgery page.
Finding your option at City Medical Centre
City Medical Centre performs breast augmentation with implants, breast lift with or without implants, breast reduction, implant removal and breast reconstruction. Before surgery you complete a medical work-up, the operation is performed under general anaesthesia, and after surgery you stay in the clinic, with follow-up visits planned during the first year.
The clinic works with international patients. The first consultation is free and can take place online: you can send photos and questions on Telegram, and the surgeon will explain which procedure suits you. The price is given after the assessment and is fixed in the contract, and a personal coordinator supports you from the first message to the end of recovery. Start with a consultation on the breast augmentation page.
How recovery usually goes
- 7–14 daysReturn to work without physical exertion
- 3 weeksPost-op swelling disappears; scars form; no lifting over 3 kg, no raising arms above shoulder level
- 1 monthThe swelling subsides and the breasts take on a natural shape and softness
- 4–6 weeksFitness, swimming, pool and sea; compression garments worn for 4–6 weeks
- 3 monthsDiscomfort disappears; inflammatory changes resolve and a pocket forms around the implant; strength training
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What types of breast surgery are there?
The main types are augmentation with implants, breast lift with or without implants, breast reduction, breast reconstruction and implant removal. Asymmetry is usually corrected by combining these techniques. Each operation solves a different problem, such as lack of volume, sagging, excess weight or loss of shape.
What is the difference between a lift and augmentation?
Augmentation adds volume with implants but does not raise a low-hanging breast. A lift raises the breast and nipple and removes excess skin but does not add volume on its own. When the breast has both dropped and emptied, the two can be combined in one operation.
Can two breast procedures be combined?
Yes, combinations are common, for example a lift with implants or implant removal with a lift. Combining procedures can mean one anaesthetic and one recovery period. The surgeon decides whether a combination is safe and sensible for you after examining your breasts and health.
Which breast surgery has the shortest recovery?
Recovery depends on the scope of surgery and on your body. Augmentation alone is often somewhat easier than a lift or reduction, which involve more incisions. Many people return to desk work after one to two weeks, while strenuous exercise is usually avoided for about six weeks.
How do I know which procedure I need?
The deciding factors are nipple position, the amount of breast tissue, skin quality and your goals. A surgeon assesses these at an examination. You can start by sending photos and questions for a free online consultation, where the surgeon suggests the options that fit your situation.
Have a question about your case? Get a free consultation
Message a coordinator on Telegram: we reply right in the chat, and you can send photos and questions there too.
- The first consultation is free, online consultations are available
- The doctor names the cost after the assessment, and it is fixed in the contract
- A personal coordinator guides you from the first message to recovery
Message our coordinator on Telegram
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