Breast Lift vs. Augmentation (or Both?)

Many women want to enhance their breasts and feel more confident in their appearance. At my Orlando practice, breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are the two most popular options. But a combined approach, breast augmentation with lift, might be the right choice for some women.

All of these procedures improve the shape of the breasts, but what are the differences between each surgery, and how do you know which one is right for you?

We’ve put together this breast augmentation quiz to help you clarify your goals and determine the best option: breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast augmentation with lift. Give it a try!

Your quiz results are a helpful starting point. Of course, a private consultation is the best way to learn which procedure is best for your goals. But if you’re just starting your breast enhancement research, here are the important basics you should know. 

Breast Lift Benefits

The main goal of a breast lift is right in the name: Lifting the nipples and breasts higher on the chest wall. This procedure is typically done when women experience breast sagging due to age, weight loss, or pregnancy. The surgery achieves this lift by removing loose, saggy skin and elevating and reshaping the breast tissue. This procedure also works well for:

• Alleviating body pain caused by sagging
• Correcting nipple placement
• Minimizing signs of aging

Breast Augmentation Benefits

The main goal of breast augmentation is to increase the size and fullness of the breasts. This is achieved by placing breast implants either directly behind the breast tissue or behind the pectoral muscles. Some patients choose breast augmentation to restore breasts that have lost volume after pregnancy, while others simply want a feminine boost. Women from their 20s to their 60s can all be good candidates for this popular procedure. 

Beyond adding volume, breast augmentation can:

• Correct breast asymmetry
• Balance the proportions of the body 
• Reverse an inverted nipple

Combining Procedures

Many women interested in breast enhancement procedures want to address multiple issues. Changes from childbearing, weight fluctuations, or aging can create aesthetic concerns that could benefit from both surgeries. For example, those who wish to reclaim their pre-baby body after breastfeeding may want to restore volume and lift the breasts higher. Because of this, many women choose to combine breast augmentation with a breast lift to create more comprehensive results. 

Combining breast augmentation with a breast lift enables women to truly transform their appearance beyond what can be achieved with only one of the procedures. Lifting and shaping the breasts at the same time creates a youthful, balanced look. During your private consultation, I’ll work with you to determine if you would benefit from this approach to surgery.

How Before-and-After Photos Can Help Guide Your Decision

When considering breast enhancement surgery, or any plastic surgery, reviewing before-and-after photos can help you understand what each procedure entails and the results you can expect. Here’s what to look for in these images to help determine which option—breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast augmentation with lift—may be the right fit for you.

Breast Lift:

• Notice the positioning of the breasts before and after the procedure. A breast lift aims to elevate the breasts, resulting in a higher and perkier appearance.
• Look for improvements in nipple position and areola appearance. A breast lift also elevates and repositions the nipples, and can reduce enlarged areolas.
• Pay attention to the new shape of the breasts. Removing loose skin and reshaping the remaining tissue are key benefits of a breast lift, addressing concerns related to aging, weight loss, or pregnancy.

Breast Augmentation:

• Focus on the size and fullness of the breasts. Breast augmentation aims to increase breast volume for natural-looking enhancement.
• Assess the overall shape and contour of the breasts. Breast implants can help achieve a rounder look with fuller cleavage, or a more natural, sloping breast contour.
• Look for improvements in breast symmetry. Breast augmentation can balance breasts of different sizes.

Breast Lift With Augmentation:

• Evaluate the combined results of both procedures. A breast lift with augmentation offers the benefits of both surgeries, providing lifted and fuller breasts.
• Notice the enhancement in breast shape and position. Combining a breast lift with augmentation can result in a more youthful and symmetrical breast appearance.
• Look for comprehensive improvements. This combined approach is often chosen by women seeking to address multiple concerns, such as sagging and volume loss after pregnancy.

By carefully reviewing before-and-after photos, you can gain valuable insights into the potential outcomes and determine which option aligns best with your aesthetic goals and needs.

Take the Next Step

No matter the procedure you choose, breast enhancement surgery can boost your figure and your confidence. If you’re in the Orlando area and would like to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon about your options, please call my office at (407) 218-4550 or request a consultation.