Sagging, loss of volume, and changes in breast shape are natural over time due to aging, weight changes, pregnancy, and gravity. Many women turn to breast surgery to restore a youthful look, but deciding between a breast lift (mastopexy) alone or a breast lift with implants can feel overwhelming. Understanding the differences helps you make the best choice for your body and goals. Dr. Bram Kaufman provides breast augmentation and lift to patients in Cleveland, Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Lyndhurst, OH, and surrounding locations.
What a Breast Lift Does
A breast lift reshapes and raises sagging breasts by removing excess skin, tightening surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipples to a more youthful level. It restores a firmer, perkier look but does not add fullness or size.
Best candidates for a breast lift alone often have:
- Adequate natural breast volume
- Significant sagging or drooping (ptosis)
- Nipples that point downward or fall below the breast crease
- A desire for a natural look without added size
What Implants Add to a Lift
For women who want both lifting and added volume, combining a lift with implants may be the right choice. Implants can:
- Restore fullness lost after pregnancy or weight loss
- Increase breast size in addition to improving shape
- Add upper pole (cleavage area) fullness
- Provide a rounder, more youthful contour
Best candidates for a lift with implants often have:
- Flattened or deflated breasts after weight changes or breastfeeding
- Desire for a larger cup size along with correction of sagging
- Asymmetry that can be corrected with implants of different sizes
Pros & Cons of Each Approach
Breast Lift Alone
- Pros: No foreign material, natural look, shorter surgery
- Cons: No added volume, may lose fullness over time
Breast Lift with Implants
- Pros: Adds volume and lift, restores fullness, customizable size and shape
- Cons: More complex procedure, longer recovery, implant maintenance over time
Recovery Differences
Both procedures require downtime, with most patients resting for 1–2 weeks and avoiding strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks. Adding implants may extend recovery slightly, though many patients manage both surgeries at once without significant extra downtime.
The right choice depends on your anatomy and goals. If you want perkier, youthful breasts but are happy with your current size, a lift alone may be enough. If you also want more volume or upper pole fullness, combining implants with a lift provides comprehensive rejuvenation. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon ensures a personalized plan tailored to your body, lifestyle, and long-term vision.
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