When considering breast enhancement options, it’s essential to understand the differences between a breast lift and breast augmentation. A breast lift focuses on reshaping and elevating the breasts, while breast augmentation involves increasing the size and improving its shape with implants. The best part is that you don’t have to pick – you can even have combination breast surgery if your plastic surgeon recommends it. Let’s explore the differences between these two procedures.
Understanding Breast Lift Surgery

A breast lift surgery addresses sagging and drooping breasts by removing excess skin and reshaping the natural breast tissue to achieve a more youthful and elevated profile. This procedure does not significantly change the size but focuses on rejuvenating the breasts. It can improve the breast shape and symmetry of the breasts, providing a natural and balanced aesthetic.
Understanding Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, on the other hand, involves enhancing the breast size and shape using breast implants. This procedure suits individuals seeking to increase their breast volume and attain a fuller bust.
Through breast augmentation, individuals can achieve their desired cup size and enhance the overall shape and symmetry of their breasts. This procedure offers versatility in customizing the results based on personal preferences.
Who's a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Ideal candidates for a breast lift are individuals experiencing sagging or drooping breasts due to factors such as aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations. A board certified plastic surgeon can assess the suitability of the plastic surgery procedure based on individual needs. A breast lift addresses and aim to restore a firm, naturally lifted appearance without focusing on a size enhancement.
Who's a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

If you’d like larger breasts, a breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) is for you. Breast augmentation focuses to make the bust look fuller and more voluminous. Augmentation enhances the size and shape of the breasts, providing a more balanced and proportionate appearance.
The breast augmentation procedure allows for personalization, enabling individuals to choose the most suitable implants for their goals. Your board-certified plastic surgeon can help determine the most suitable implant type and size to achieve your desired aesthetic outcome.
Considerations for Combination Surgery
A combination of breast lift and augmentation can provide comprehensive enhancement for individuals looking to address both sagging and volume loss. If you’d like to go up a cup size and restore some firmness to your profile, then considering combination breast surgery is a great option.
Combination procedures are not uncommon and are popular with women who have lost some volume in the bust due to age, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy.
breast lift vs breast augmentation Frequently Asked Questions
Does a breast lift or breast augmentation affect the appearance of the nipple?
Both procedures can involve adjusting the position of the nipple to create a more aesthetically pleasing result. Your surgeon will explain the potential impact during the consultation.
What are the key differences in terms of surgery and recovery between a breast lift and breast augmentation?
The incision patterns, surgical techniques, post-operative care, and recovery time can differ significantly between breast augmentation and breast lift procedures.
For example, breast augmentation recovery often involves managing swelling and discomfort as your body adjusts to the implants, while breast lift recovery focuses on healing incisions and supporting the newly shaped breast tissue.
Your surgeon will provide detailed, personalized information about what to expect during both the procedure and recovery, ensuring you understand the unique aspects of each option and receive guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Can I choose between a breast lift or breast implants if I want to reduce the size of my breasts?
If your main goal is to reduce size and address sagging, a breast reduction combined with a breast lift is usually the best choice. While a breast lift improves shape and position, and breast implants create bigger breasts, neither alone reduces size.
Many patients seeking smaller breasts benefit from breast reduction, which is an invasive surgery that removes tissue and reshapes the breast on the chest wall.
Recovery typically takes up to a week off work. If you prefer less invasive surgery, non-surgical options exist but offer only minimal results. Your surgeon can help you choose the right procedure for your needs.
What type of implant is used in breast augmentation with a breast lift?
The choice of implant type (saline, silicone) will depend on your preferences, body type, and the recommendations of your board-certified plastic surgeon based on desired outcomes and safety considerations.
Saline implants give people a more natural look because they’re designed to move with your body. However, they’re also more susceptible to popping. On the other hand, silicone implants provide a fuller look that may not be right for all body types – but they’re durable and long-lasting.
Is everyone a good candidate for a breast lift or breast augmentation with a breast lift?
Most people are good candidates for breast enhancement surgeries as long as they’re over the age of eighteen, in good health, and have realistic expectations for their surgery.
During an initial consultation with a surgeon, you’ll go over your expectations for your surgery as well as your candidacy for breast enhancement surgeries.
Can breast augmentation surgery correct sagging breasts and improve upper breast fullness?
Breast augmentation surgery involves placing implants either under the existing breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle to enhance size, breast position, and shape.
While breast implant surgery can improve upper breast fullness, it may not fully correct sagging breasts, especially if the nipples are below the natural crease. In cases of significant sagging, your surgeon may recommend a breast lift, sometimes combined procedure with implants, to better address both breast position and fullness.
The best approach depends on your anatomy, the amount of current breast tissue, and your cosmetic goals.
What is the breast lift cost and breast augmentation cost?
Both breast lift cost and breast augmentation cost depend on the complexity of the surgical procedures, surgeon expertise, and location. Many patients opt for one or both procedures based on their goals and anatomy.
These procedures are designed to enhance appearance while preserving the surrounding breast tissue. The quality of breast lift results is influenced by your anatomy and the technique used.
Additionally, the surgeon’s fee is a significant factor in the overall cost.
How do breast lift and breast augmentation procedures differ?
Choosing between a breast lift and breast augmentation depends on your desired results. A breast lift (mastopexy) is designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, which restores a more youthful and lifted appearance without significantly increasing breast size.
Breast augmentation involves using saline or silicone implants to enhance the size and fullness of the breasts, making it ideal for those who want more volume or a change in breast shape. Some patients may choose to combine a breast lift and breast augmentation for both a lifted look and increased volume
book your breast enhancement procedure today
If you’re considering a change to your silhouette, understanding the differences between a breast lift and breast augmentation is the first step toward achieving your desired look. A breast lift is ideal for those seeking to restore a youthful, elevated profile by addressing sagging and reshaping the natural breast tissue.
Breast augmentation, meanwhile, is perfect for individuals who want to increase breast size and fullness using implants, with plastic surgery options tailored to your unique preferences.
Ready to enhance your confidence and achieve your aesthetic goals? Book your breast enhancement procedure today with Aesthera Plastic Surgery and take the next step toward looking and feeling your best.