August 01, 2025 | Breast Augmentation
5 minute read
Have you been thinking about enhancing your breasts but aren’t quite sure which aesthetic procedure will give you the results you’re looking for? When it comes to cosmetic breast enhancement, everyone wants something a little different. Some people desire more volume, others wish to correct sagging, and some would love a little bit of both. In this blog, we’ll go over the differences between a breast lift and breast augmentation, including how to determine which one best aligns with your vision for your results.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Differences Between Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Surgeries?
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Breast Augmentation?
- What Are the Pros and Cons of a Breast Lift?
- How Do You Determine Which Procedure Is Right For You?
- Can You Combine Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift?
- Learn More About Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Surgery in Orange County
What Are the Differences Between Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Surgeries?
While breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are both designed to enhance the appearance of your breasts, they serve very different purposes.
Breast augmentation is designed to increase the size and fullness of your breasts using saline or silicone implants. It’s ideal for patients who are unhappy with the size of their breasts or who have lost volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, or due to aging.
A breast lift (also called mastopexy) focuses on repositioning your breasts higher on the chest by removing excess skin and resculpting and tightening the breast and surrounding tissue. This procedure will not significantly change the size of your breasts or replace volume, but it does restore a more youthful shape and firmness.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Breast Augmentation?
Pros of Breast Augmentation |
Cons of Breast Augmentation |
| Increases breast volume and fullness | Does not correct sagging or drooping |
| Improves cleavage and overall silhouette | Involves implants, which may require replacement or revision in the future |
| Can correct breast asymmetry | Risk of complications such as implant rupture or capsular contracture |
| Offers long-lasting results | Scarring is minimal but still present, usually hidden in the natural breast fold |
Breast augmentation is a fantastic option if you want to increase breast size, but if your breasts are already sagging, augmentation alone may not achieve your desired look.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Breast Lift?
Pros of a Breast Lift |
Cons of a Breast Lift |
| Elevates sagging breasts and repositions the nipples | Does not increase breast size or fullness |
| Tightens loose skin for a more youthful shape | Results may diminish over time due to the natural aging process, gravity, or pregnancy |
| Improves breast symmetry and contour | More noticeable scarring than with augmentation |
| Can enhance the appearance of your breasts without adding artificial volume | May make your breasts slightly smaller once they’re reshaped |
A breast lift is ideal for patients who are happy with their breast size but desire a perkier, more lifted appearance.
How Do You Determine Which Procedure Is Right For You?
Choosing between a breast augmentation and a breast lift depends entirely on your individual goals and anatomy. Some of the questions to consider when deciding between the two include:
- Do I want larger breasts or just a more lifted appearance?
- Are my nipples pointing downward or sitting below the crease of my breast?
- Have I experienced volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss?
- Am I more concerned with sagging or size?
The best way to determine which breast enhancement surgery is right for you is to schedule a consultation with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at UCI Plastic Surgery. They will listen to your concerns and evaluate your breast tissue, skin elasticity, and chest proportions to recommend the breast surgery that will offer the most effective and aesthetically pleasing results.
Can You Combine Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift?
The good news is that you don’t actually have to decide between a breast lift and breast augmentation if you don’t want to. Many patients choose to combine both procedures to enjoy the best of both worlds: more volume and a perkier, more youthful shape. This is especially common for patients who have experienced significant changes to the appearance of their breasts after pregnancy or weight fluctuations.
A combined breast lift with implants can:
- Add fullness and volume
- Correct sagging and droopiness
- Improve the overall shape and position of your breasts
- Create a perkier, more youthful chest contour
Combining breast enhancement procedures may involve a slightly longer surgery if performed at the same time. It’s important to note that some plastic surgeons may stage each procedure separately depending on individual circumstances. Either way, most patients would agree that the gorgeous, comprehensive results of a breast augmentation with a lift are worth it.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift Surgery in Orange County
Choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery to enhance your breasts is an extremely personal decision, so the right procedure for you is the one you choose. Whether you’re leaning toward breast augmentation, a lift, or a combination of both, the best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure is to schedule a consultation with one of the experienced plastic surgeons at UCI Plastic Surgery. To learn more about the procedures and make an appointment with one of our skilled surgeons, call today at (714) 456-3077 (Orange), (949) 999-2411 (Costa Mesa), or (714) 456-3077 (Tustin) or complete the online contact form.