Breast Lifts vs. Breast Augmentation: What's the Difference?

If you’re contemplating enhancing your breasts, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the many options available. From breast implants to fat transfers and breast lifts, it can be difficult to decide which cosmetic procedure is right for you. Each option has its benefits, and it’s important to research and consult with a qualified plastic surgeon before deciding. Ultimately, you should base your choice on your goals, expectations, and medical history.

At NuBody Concepts, we understand the importance of feeling confident in your body. Our Tennessee-based cosmetic surgery clinic offers a range of surgical options tailored to your specific needs. Let us guide you through the breast lift vs. augmentation conversation and empower you to make the best choice for your desired outcome.

Understanding the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation

Anyone who wants to improve or enhance their breasts has likely come across breast lifts and breast augmentations. These two popular options are excellent cosmetic surgeries that allow women to take control of their bodies. There is no reason to be unhappy with the size or shape of your breasts, but it’s important to know the difference between these two procedures so you can make the best choice for yourself.

Both procedures can improve the look and feel of your breasts, but they differ in their goals and techniques. Here are some key differences between breast lifts and breast augmentation.

Breast Lift:

Also called a mastopexy
Can address sagging or drooping breasts
Reshapes and lifts breasts to a more youthful position
Mainly focuses on improving the contour and firmness of the breasts
Doesn’t focus on altering the size of the breasts

Breast Augmentation:

Also known as an augmentation mammoplasty
Choice of saline or silicone implants
Increases the size and volume of the breasts
Ideal for women who want to enhance their bust line, achieve symmetry, or restore lost volume due to pregnancy, weight loss, or aging

The choice between these two procedures depends on your unique concerns and aesthetic goals. If you are troubled by sagging breasts or asymmetry and want a more lifted appearance, then a breast lift may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you desire to increase your breast size or achieve a fuller bust, then breast augmentation may be the ideal solution. In general, breast augmentations are ideal for younger patients who are looking to enhance volume, whereas breast lifts are ideal for women who experience sagging due to aging or childbirth and breastfeeding.

Comparing the Goals and Results for Each Procedure

While both procedures aim to enhance the appearance of the breasts, they differ in their goals and results. A breast lift primarily focuses on lifting and reshaping the breasts to create a youthful contour. This procedure can also improve nipple position and address excess skin for a firmer, more lifted appearance.

On the other hand, breast augmentation focuses on increasing breast size and volume using implants. This procedure can enhance overall body proportions, improve symmetry, and boost confidence. Choosing the right size and type of implants is crucial for achieving natural-looking results that complement your figure.

At NuBody Concepts, our board-certified plastic surgeons consult with each patient about their expectations. We want to make sure you have a clear understanding of your goals so that you can make an informed choice between breast augmentation vs. lift surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Either Procedure?

Women who experience sagging or drooping breasts due to factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or aging are ideal candidates for a breast lift. In addition, breast lifts are a good option for women who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts but want a more lifted appearance.

For breast augmentation, suitable candidates are women who desire larger, fuller breasts or wish to restore lost volume. Whether you have naturally small breasts or have experienced volume loss due to pregnancy or weight loss, breast augmentation can help you achieve the desired size and shape.

What Does Recovery Look Like for Each Procedure?

The recovery process after a breast lift and breast augmentation varies depending on the extent of the surgery and individual healing capabilities.

Breast Lift

After a breast lift, patients may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which typically subside within a few weeks. We recommend that patients avoid strenuous physical activity for 4-6 weeks after the surgery. Most women can return to work after 5-6 days of recovery.

Breast Augmentation

Patients may experience temporary discomfort, swelling, and tightness in the chest area following breast augmentation surgery. Most women can resume light activities within a few days, but patients should avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks. Our experienced plastic surgeons will provide personalized post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Breast augmentation recovery is usually 3-5 days for regular daily activities.

NuBody Concepts: Your Best Choice

NuBody Concepts is a trusted cosmetic surgery clinic that offers a range of breast-related surgical options, including breast lifts, augmentations, or a combination of both. Our clinic is led by two board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. John D. Rosdeutscher in Nashville and Dr. Mark H. Peters in Memphis, each with over 25 years of experience in the field.

We believe in providing safe and aesthetically pleasing outcomes to our patients, and to achieve this, we follow up-to-date best practices for cosmetic surgery. Some women wonder, “Is a breast lift safer than augmentation?” The answer is that both of these procedures are safe when performed under the careful eye of board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Rosdeutscher and Dr. Peters at NuBody Concepts. We have state-of-the-art facilities and a compassionate and thorough medical team that will guide you through every step of the process.

Additionally, our transparent pricing and all-inclusive quotes will allow you to more easily budget for your procedure. For those wondering whether a breast lift is cheaper than augmentation, please visit our comprehensive pricing page. Breast augmentations start at $6,200 and breast lifts at $9,500. You’ll receive a final quote before booking your procedure, and this price includes all surgeon and facility fees. We never add any surprise charges after surgery. What you see is what you get!

Once you understand the differences, the decision between a breast lift and augmentation is yours to make. At NuBody Concepts, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the confidence and beauty you deserve. Schedule a consultation with us today to explore your options and see our satisfied patients’ before and after photos. Let NuBody Concepts be your partner in achieving the breasts that you want!