September 09, 2025 | Breast Surgery
5 minute read
If you are unhappy with your breast size, shape, symmetry, or elevation, what should you do? Two of the most popular surgical solutions for enhancing the bust are breast augmentation and breast lift. The one, or combination, that’s right for you depends on your aesthetic goals and anatomy. While you’ll need the input of a board-certified plastic surgeon to help you determine the right treatment plan, this blog will discuss the difference between breast lift and breast augmentation so you can start thinking about which approach may suit your needs.
Table of Contents
- What Is Breast Augmentation?
- What Is a Breast Lift?
- Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: Key Differences
- Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation Cost
- Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation Recovery
- Which One Is Right For Me?
- When to Combine Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation
- Learn More About Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation in Portland and Lake Oswego, OR
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammaplasty, is a procedure designed to increase the size of the breasts with breast implants. This procedure can also improve shape and symmetry. The result is a more voluptuous, full bustline that redefines your silhouette.
Breast implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials (saline or silicone gel), allowing you to completely customize your results. The outcome is a more defined silhouette that can make clothing fit better, boost self-confidence and quality of life.
What Is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery is also called mastopexy. This procedure is designed to lift the breasts and nipples to a higher position on the chest wall. A breast lift addresses sagging breasts by removing excess skin, reshaping the nipple-areolar complex, and breast mound.
A breast lift can restore a firmer, perkier contour without changing your overall breast size. However, if you want both more lift and more volume, a combined breast lift with augmentation may be the ideal solution!
Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: Key Differences
The main difference comes down to what you would like to address:
- Breast augmentation adds volume, enhances shape, and breast silhouette.
- Breast lift surgery corrects sagging and repositions the breasts and nipples for a youthful contour and shape.
If your breasts are small but not sagging, augmentation alone may be sufficient. If they sag but are already a good size, a lift alone may be best. If you want both a size increase and correction of sagging, combining the two procedures can deliver stunning and comprehensive results.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation Cost
Typically, a breast lift will cost more than breast augmentation. This is because a breast lift tends to be a more complex procedure and requires more surgical time to remove excess tissue and reshape the breasts.
Factors that influence the cost of both procedures include your surgeon’s experience level, the specific implants you’ve chosen, surgical bras and medications, your geographic location, and the extent of surgery.
That said, the best way to determine how much your particular procedure will cost is to schedule a consultation with a highly qualified board certified plastic surgeon with ample experience in breast surgery.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation Recovery
While both procedures involve downtime, recovery experiences can differ.
Breast augmentation recovery often involves less swelling and bruising around the skin because the main change comes from adding volume beneath the tissue. Many patients return to desk work within a week.
Breast lift recovery may involve slightly more discomfort, as skin and tissue are repositioned. You may need one to two weeks before resuming non-strenuous activities.
For both, you’ll need to avoid heavy lifting and high-impact exercise for several weeks to allow for proper healing. Dr. Burgess provides personalized recovery plans to help patients heal quickly and comfortably.
Which One Is Right For Me?
Breast Augmentation for a Fuller Bust
Do you desire bigger breasts? If so, breast augmentation is a straightforward way to achieve a buxom bustline, customized to your preferences for size and shape.
At her private practice in Lake Oswego, Dr. Elisa Burgess offers patients the advantage of next-generation surgical techniques and technology. For example, Dr. Burgess uses an internal mesh bra during surgery to add structural support to implants, helping maintain results over time. She also utilizes Mindray High-Resolution Ultrasound technology to monitor implants and their integrity safely, without unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Breast Lift for a Perkier Profile
If you’re happy with your breast size but not with their position, a breast lift can restore firmness and height, creating a more youthful shape and look. This procedure is especially popular among women who have experienced changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or simply the natural aging process.
When to Combine Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation
Some women benefit most from combining both procedures into a single surgery. This is especially true if you would like to:
- Restore lost volume
- Correct sagging at the same time
- Achieve the most dramatic and balanced transformation in one recovery period
A combined breast lift with augmentation (augmentation mastopexy) can offer the best of both worlds, giving you both a fuller size and a youthful position.
Learn More About Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation in Portland and Lake Oswego, OR
Choosing between a breast lift and breast augmentation is a highly personal decision. The right choice depends on your goals for size, shape, and firmness, and sometimes, the ideal plan may involve both procedures.
At her Lake Oswego plastic surgery practice, serving Portland and the surrounding Oregon area, Dr. Elisa Burgess, a board certified plastic surgeon, is known for her skill, artistry, and commitment to natural-looking results. She will take the time to understand your vision, explain your options, and create a customized surgical plan that helps you feel confident and beautiful.
To schedule a consultation, please call (503) 699-6464 or use our online contact form.