Patients considering breast surgery often wonder whether they need a breast lift, breast augmentation, or a combination of both. While these procedures are frequently discussed together, they address different concerns. Understanding the difference helps you choose the option that will deliver the most natural and satisfying results for your body and goals. Dr. David Kim offers both breast lift and breast augmentation to patients in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas.
What a Breast Augmentation Does
Breast augmentation increases breast volume using implants or fat transfer. It is designed to add fullness, improve shape, and enhance cleavage.
Breast augmentation is ideal for patients who are happy with the position of their breasts but want more size or upper pole fullness. It does not significantly lift sagging breasts or reposition the nipples.
Common reasons patients choose augmentation include:
• Naturally small breasts
• Volume loss after weight loss or pregnancy
• Desire for fuller cleavage
• Breast asymmetry related to size
If the breasts sit relatively high on the chest and the nipples are in a good position, augmentation alone may be sufficient.
What a Breast Lift Does
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and elevates the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. It also repositions the nipple and areola to a more youthful, natural height.
A breast lift does not significantly increase volume. Instead, it improves breast position, firmness, and contour.
A breast lift is often recommended when patients experience:
• Sagging or drooping breasts
• Nipples that point downward
• Nipples positioned below the breast crease
• Loss of firmness and shape
• Stretched skin after pregnancy or weight changes
How to Tell Which Procedure You Need
One simple guideline surgeons use is nipple position. If the nipple sits at or above the breast crease, augmentation alone may achieve the desired result. If the nipple sits below the crease or points downward, a lift is usually necessary.
Skin quality and breast tissue volume also matter. Patients with loose skin but adequate volume often benefit from a lift alone. Patients with good skin tone but low volume often benefit from augmentation alone.
When a Combination Procedure Is Best
Many patients benefit most from combining a breast lift with augmentation. This approach addresses both sagging and volume loss in one surgery.
A combined procedure can:
• Restore breast position
• Add fullness and projection
• Improve nipple placement
• Create a more youthful, balanced contour
While combining procedures involves more planning and recovery considerations, it often delivers the most comprehensive and natural-looking results.
Choosing the Right Approach
The best way to determine whether you need a breast lift, augmentation, or both is through a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. A personalized evaluation considers anatomy, skin quality, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals to recommend the safest and most effective option.
Schedule a Consultation with Beverly Hills California Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kim
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Also visit beverlyhillsplasticsurgery.com
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.