Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation
Many women seeking breast enhancement assume that implants are the best way to improve breast shape. In reality, one of the most common conversations I have with patients is explaining that breast size and breast shape are not the same thing.
The procedure that creates the most beautiful result depends entirely on your anatomy, goals, and how your breasts have changed over time.
Understanding the Difference Between Volume, Shape and Position
A breast augmentation increases volume with silicone vs saline implants, or with a fat transfer procedure.
A breast lift, on the other hand, repositions the breast tissue and nipple to a more youthful location on the chest while also improving the overall shape of the breasts. It addresses sagging, stretched skin, and loss of shape that often occur after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or aging.
Many women are surprised to learn that the appearance they dislike is often related to breast position or descent rather than breast size.
When a Breast Lift Creates a Better Shape
If the nipples sit below the breast fold, the breast tissue has descended. When the breasts appear elongated and deflated, a breast lift often provides the most dramatic improvement in shape.
By restoring the breast to a more youthful position, a lift can create a perky, more elegant contour while improving symmetry and proportion.
Sometimes, this can be enough. Other times, volume needs to be restored also, in which case, adding a silicone or saline implant or fat transfer at the same time of a breast lift may be needed. This often depends on individual patient factors like history of pregnancies, breastfeeding, weight loss etc.
When Breast Augmentation Is the Better Choice
For women who are happy with the position of their breasts but desire more fullness, breast augmentation may be the ideal solution.
This is particularly true for patients who have naturally small breasts or have lost volume after pregnancy/weight loss but have maintained good skin quality and minimal sagging.
The goal is not simply to make the breasts larger, but to create balance and harmony with the rest of the body. It’s about enhancement, not exaggeration.
The Best Results Often Come From a Personalized Approach
Some patients benefit from a breast lift, some from breast augmentation, and many achieve their best result through a thoughtful combination of both procedures.
Breast surgery is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The most natural and elegant outcomes come from understanding each patient’s anatomy, listening carefully to their goals, and creating a surgical plan tailored specifically to them.
Case Example
Rarely, patients can have a large asymmetry, as much as half or even a full cup size difference in breast volume. Additionally, the breast descent and position can be vastly different. The patient shown below preferentially breastfed with her left breast, resulting in a much lower, larger but deflated left breast. Using two different size implants, I performed a breast augmentation to even out the volume. However, due to the dramatic descent of the left breast compared to the right breast, I also performed a donut breast lift (mastopexy) on only the left side at the same time to help match improve the shape of the breast.
If this was not done the shape would be sub-optimal. Doing a breast lift on only one side is not typical. But this goes to show how every patient is unique and each surgery is individualized.
The question is not whether a breast lift or breast augmentation is better. The question is which approach is best for you.
Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation Cost in NYC
The cost of combination breast surgeries depends on the extent of surgery needed, whether the surgery is a revision and the unique goals of the patient. The amount of planning, execution and aftercare varies from patient to patient. Therefore, an in-person examination is best to fully understand each individual’s anatomy in order to give the best possible results.
Meet Dr. Brian Bassiri-Tehrani
Dr. Brian Bassiri-Tehrani is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast procedures, with a focus on natural, balanced results.
To see if you are a candidate for Preservation Breast Augmentation, schedule a personalized consultation. Click here to schedule a consultation or call our office at (212) 540-6868.
