Your breasts naturally change over the years. Maybe your breasts now don’t sit as high as they used to. Perhaps pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes have left them looking uneven, deflated, or lacking the fullness you once enjoyed. These concerns can affect how your clothes fit, how you feel in intimate settings, and most importantly, your self-confidence.
Breast surgeries, like a breast lift or a breast augmentation with implants, can address these concerns to help you reclaim a sculpted silhouette. However, both procedures address different concerns, so you must understand which specific surgery (or combination) you need for your unique anatomy, concerns, and aesthetic goals.
At Vinings Surgery and Hair Restoration Center in Atlanta, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert A. Colgrove, Jr., M.D., helps patients select the most suitable techniques to restore harmony and achieve their unique goals. This article breaks down how to tell which approach is right for you.
When you ONLY need a breast lift
A breast lift (mastopexy) reshapes and elevates the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning tissue. It improves the breast’s position, not size. If your primary concern is sagging, not volume, a lift alone may give you the youthful result you want.
You have nipples that sit below the breast crease
Nipple placement is one of the most reliable indicators of whether you need a lift. If your nipples point downward or sit below the natural fold under your breast, lifting the breast tissue is essential. A breast lift repositions the nipple to a more natural, forward-facing location.
You are happy with your breast size, but not the shape
If your breasts are the right size but appear low, elongated, or flat at the top, adding implants won’t correct the droop. A lift provides perkiness without changing your cup size.
You notice loose or stretched breast skin
Aging, pregnancy, and weight changes can stretch your breast skin. A lift tightens this excess tissue, reshaping the breast mound and creating a firmer, more sculpted look without implants.
You want a natural-looking improvement without adding volume
Some people feel implants look unnatural for their frame. If your goal is subtle rejuvenation that restores youthful proportions, a lift alone meets those expectations beautifully.
When you ONLY need breast implants
Breast augmentation increases volume, enhances upper pole fullness, and improves shape using saline or silicone implants. If you’re concerned primarily with size or projection, not sagging, a mastopexy may be unnecessary.
You want larger breasts or more dramatic fullness
Implants are the only way to significantly increase breast volume. If you’ve always wished your breasts were bigger, implants provide predictable, customizable enlargement.
You have breasts that are proportionate but lack fullness
If your breasts sit in a normal position but feel flat, especially at the top, implants can restore shape. This is common after pregnancy or weight loss, when your glands shrink, but the breast mound remains structurally sound.
You are concerned about a minor asymmetry
Most women have uneven breasts. Implants allow you to correct an imbalance by choosing different sizes for each side, achieving symmetry without altering nipple position.
You do not have significant sagging
If your nipples sit above the crease and your breasts don’t appear stretched, augmentation alone is enough. Adding a lift in this scenario can introduce unnecessary scars and cost.
When you may need BOTH a breast lift and implants
Sometimes, both volume loss and sagging occur simultaneously, especially after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight changes. In these situations, combining both a breast lift and an augmentation with implants can deliver the most complete result.
You want perkier AND fuller breasts
A lift alone won’t add size, and implants alone won’t correct sagging. If you want both upper pole fullness and a lifted, youthful position, the combination creates enhanced projection and height.
You have deflated breasts after breastfeeding
Breastfeeding often temporarily enlarges breasts, then deflates them. This can leave the skin stretched and the nipples low, while reducing volume. A lift corrects the droop, and implants restore shape, size, and overall volume.
You want a dramatic transformation in a single surgery
Combining procedures eliminates the need for multiple operations and recovery periods. Many patients choose this to fully rejuvenate the breasts and reach their aesthetic goals at once.
You have significant sagging AND desire a larger cup size
If your breasts have dropped and you also want them to be noticeably larger, implants alone will not correct positioning. A lift positions the breast correctly, while implants create your ideal size.
Which option is right for you?
Every breast is unique, and no two patients have the same combination of concerns. That’s why a thorough consultation is essential. During your visit, Dr. Colgrove will evaluate nipple position, breast shape, skin elasticity, and your desired size. These determine whether a lift, implants, or a combination will give you the most natural and balanced results. If you’re ready to find out which procedure fits your anatomy and goals, schedule your consultation today.
