Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, or Both?

Many women know they want to improve the appearance of their breasts but aren’t sure which surgery would benefit them most. This is a topic I frequently discuss with women considering a breast lift (mastopexy) or breast augmentation from as far as Dothan, AL and Destin, FL at my Tallahassee plastic surgery practice. With both procedures offering unique benefits in terms of breast enhancement, you may wonder if you should explore breast augmentation, breast lift, or both? How can you decide which procedure is right for you?

This blog will discuss the differences between breast augmentation and breast lift, providing a bit more clarity about the concerns each one treats. I’ll also describe why a combined breast augmentation and breast lift is often the best approach.

Should I get a breast augmentation?

You are a strong candidate for breast augmentation if your primary concern is increasing the size and fullness of your breasts. Breast augmentation adds volume and enlarges the breasts through the placement of either silicone or saline implants.

Breast augmentation does not lift the breasts or make them appear perkier. There’s a misconception that adding an implant to a severely sagging breast will “fill up” the loose skin and restore a more youthful appearance, but this often only leads to further sagging.

Should I get a breast lift?

You may benefit from a breast lift if you are happy with the size of your breasts but would like to reduce droopiness and tighten stretched, sagging tissue. Breast lift surgery lifts the breast to a more youthful position and shape.

The surgery does not increase the size of the breasts. In fact, while a breast lift won’t intentionally change the size of your breasts, tightening the skin and tissues may cause them to appear slightly smaller.

What are the benefits of a combined breast lift with implants?

If you are looking to address significant sagging or drooping and increase the size of your breasts, you are likely a great candidate for a combined breast lift and breast augmentation, also called a breast lift with implants.

You may also consider using an implant at the time of your breast lift to help improve the shape of your breast, including upper pole fullness which may impact the long-term shape of your breast.

This approach gives you the benefits of both procedures and allows you to recover from them both at the same time. It is a popular option for women who have had children or lost significant amounts of weight, as these changes can cause both stretched skin and reduced breast size.

Take the next step

As with any plastic surgery procedure, it’s important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the best treatment plan for you. For suggestions as to where to begin the conversation, please see our previous blog post on questions to ask at your breast surgery consultation.

To see examples of the results you can expect from a breast lift with implants, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.

If you would like to learn more about breast lift, breast augmentation, or combined procedures at our Tallahassee plastic surgery practice, please request a consultation online or call (850) 219-2000.