When searching for breast augmentation in Beverly Hills you may come across many different procedures and techniques. There is breast augmentation with implants or with your own fat. Then there's breast revision surgery, breast reduction or a breast lift (mastopexy).
It can be confusing at times to know which procedure is best suited to help you achieve your goals. To complicate matters even more, surgeons will often combine one or more techniques to give you the best results possible.
This article will compare breast augmentation vs. breast lift and provide examples for when these two are best performed together.
Breast Implant Vs. Lift
Breast augmentation surgery typically involves placing a silicone or saline implant behind the chest muscles or under breast tissue. Implants are designed to change the size, shape and projection of a woman's breasts, enhancing their fullness and overall appearance.
A breast lift in Beverly Hills, on the other hand, is a technique to elevate and reposition the breasts by removing excess tissue and skin. Mastopexy does not add size or volume to the breasts. The main goal of this type of surgery is to restore a more youthful and lifted breast shape by tightening surrounding tissues.
In situations where extra volume is desired, breast augmentation using implants is a better alternative. Although a skillfully executed surgical lift can give the impression of fuller breasts by creating a 'push-up bra' effect.
Another reason a breast lift is preferred is when a woman has ample volume and too much breast deflation (ptosis). This is very common postpartum, particularly after breastfeeding or fluctuations in weight. An implant may not be necessary or even beneficial in this case.
Instead, a surgeon with an artistic eye can reshape and restore the breasts using a woman's own tissue, creating a more lifted appearance and natural-looking cleavage. In some cases a breast reduction is performed as a complementary procedure to a breast lift to help achieve the desired shape and size.
Combination Breast Lift / Breast Augmentation with Implants
Breast Augmentation with Periareolar Mastopexy for mild tubular breast. (Areola Incision)
To recap, the objective of mastopexy is to restore breast shape and the position of the areolas and nipples. The end goal of breast augmentation is to increase breast size and fullness as per the patient's desired aesthetic ideals.
Is this combination right for you? The answer depends on your anatomy and physiology. Your surgeon may recommend doing a breast lift alongside breast augmentation if your breasts are positioned lower than is desired aesthetically.
In this case, the surgeon will lift and reshape the breast tissue first, then address volume and size through the insertion of an implant. Alternatively, Dr. Cat can use your own fat cells (autologous fat transfer) instead of an implant to add fullness and volume. For the best possible result, the breast lift and fat transfer are done separately.
Ideal Candidates: Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation
The right procedure depends on your starting anatomy and what you want to change. In our experience, the clearest way to decide is to look at breast position, volume, and skin quality together.
You may be a strong candidate for breast augmentation if your breasts sit at a normal position on the chest wall, your nipples point forward rather than downward, and your main concern is size, asymmetry, or lost upper-pole fullness. Augmentation suits women who have always felt their breasts were too small or who lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss but still have good skin tone.
A breast lift is a better fit when the nipple sits at or below the breast crease, the skin envelope is stretched, or the breast tissue has descended with age, gravity, or breastfeeding. If you have both volume loss and significant sagging, a combined lift with implants or lift with fat transfer usually delivers the best outcome.
The Consultation Process: Breast Implant Vs. Lift
Your initial consultation with Dr. Cat is very important to the overall success of your breast augmentation process. She will go over all the details very thoroughly to ensure your needs and concerns are addressed.
During your consultation, we walk through your medical history, prior pregnancies, weight changes, and aesthetic goals. One common question we get is whether a lift alone will add fullness, and we explain honestly that mastopexy reshapes existing tissue rather than adding volume. If you want both lift and added size, a combined procedure is usually the better fit.
Your anatomy and aesthetic goals
This first step is the most important as it will determine if you're a good candidate and what type of surgery you will need. Dr. Cat will examine your anatomy carefully then recommend either a breast augmentation, breast lift or some combination of the two.
Breast implant vs. lift before and after photos
Breast Augmentation with 350 cc HP silicone implants and Full Mastopexy (Anchor Incision)
Viewing photos is useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, you'll be able to visualize what your own results will look like. Having performed hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries, Dr. Cat will share before and after cases that are similar to yours.
Placement of incisions and scars
Dr. Cat understands the importance of delivering impeccable results. She has developed her own gentle and meticulous technique to minimize recovery time and scars.
Breast lift scar placement will depend on the procedure and technique used. Here are the three most common scar positions:
- Around the areola only - the periareolar incision goes around the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
- Lollipop incision - goes around the areola, extending vertically to the breast crease.
- Anchor incision - the inverted-T circles the areola, extending vertically and underneath the breast crease.
Timely scar management will ensure that your scars are barely noticeable once healed. The best time to begin scar treatment is two weeks after your breast lift surgery.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Procedure
Beyond anatomy, several practical factors shape the decision between breast lift vs breast augmentation. We ask patients to think through each one before surgery.
Future pregnancies and breastfeeding: Both procedures can be performed safely before pregnancy, but pregnancy will stretch tissue again. Many patients choose to wait until they are done having children.
Lifestyle and activity level: Larger implants can feel heavy during high-impact sports. A moderate implant or a lift-only approach often suits very active patients better.
Maintenance over time: Implants are not lifetime devices. Most patients should expect possible exchange or revision after 10 to 15 years. A lift without implants avoids this long-term maintenance commitment.
Budget: A combined lift and augmentation costs more upfront than either procedure alone because of the added surgical time and complexity. We provide a full cost breakdown during your consultation so you can plan accordingly.
Risks, Recovery, and Cost Considerations
Both procedures are safe when performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, but each carries its own risk profile.
Augmentation risks include capsular contracture, implant malposition, rippling, changes in nipple sensation, and the need for future implant exchange.
Breast lift risks include scarring, asymmetry, changes in nipple sensation, and rarely, partial loss of nipple viability. Smokers face significantly higher healing complications.
Recovery: Most patients return to desk work in 7 to 10 days. Full exercise resumes at 4 to 6 weeks. Final results settle at 4 to 6 months as implants drop and tissue heals.
Cost: Breast augmentation in Beverly Hills typically ranges from $9,000 to $15,000. A breast lift falls in a similar range. A combined procedure runs higher because of the extended operating time. We offer financing through medical lenders to help patients budget comfortably.
What to Expect During and After Surgery
Breast Augmentation with 350 cc HP Silicone Implants. (Breast Crease Incision)
Your surgery will take place under general anesthesia and will last approximately 3-6 hours. A topical anesthetic will be applied to minimize pain while waking.
The next day you may experience a tight sensation and tenderness in the breast area. Swelling typically lasts about a month. Most people only require over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol.
Many patients feel well enough to resume daily activities after one week. You can resume a stationary bike after two weeks and vigorous exercise after four weeks (or once cleared). Final results will be visible after 4-6 months.
Looking for more? Check out this blog to learn 5 Important Things to Know Before Getting Breast Implants.
For more information, call us at 310-858-8808, email help@beautybydrcat.com, or book a pre-consultation phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation
What is the main difference between a breast lift and breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation adds volume and shape using silicone or saline implants. A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes excess skin and repositions the nipple to raise sagging breasts without changing size. Many patients benefit most from a combined procedure that does both.
Can I get a breast lift and breast augmentation at the same time?
Yes. A combined lift with implants is one of our most common procedures and is well suited for patients with both volume loss and sagging. Performing them together saves recovery time and a second anesthesia and produces a more youthful, lifted shape than either procedure alone.
How long is recovery for breast lift vs breast augmentation?
Recovery timelines are similar. Most patients return to light work within 7 to 10 days and resume full exercise around 6 weeks. A combined lift and augmentation may feel slightly more tender in the first week because more tissue is reshaped, but the overall return-to-activity timeline is comparable.
