Breast Lift or Implants: Differences, Indications and Features of the Procedures

A breast lift and breast implants are often considered interchangeable operations, although they solve different problems. Implants increase volume, but they do not always eliminate sagging tissue, while a lift restores the breast’s former shape without making it larger. In some cases, the best result comes from combining the two techniques.

The plastic surgeons at the GENEVITY longevity and quality of life center in Dnipro explain how these operations differ, when they are combined, and what is important to consider before making a decision.

Breast Lift and Implants: What Is the Difference?

In a lift, the surgeon corrects the breast’s own tissue; in augmentation, implants are placed. This is where the difference in results comes from:

• Mastopexy eliminates sagging, removes excess skin, lifts the breast, and repositions the nipples and areolas. However, it does not increase the volume of the mammary glands.

• Implant placement increases breast size, makes the upper pole fuller, and changes the contours. But if the breast has sagged significantly, this may not be enough.

So the question of which is better: a breast lift or implants is not simply a comparison of two operations. It all depends on whether you need to lift the breast, enlarge it, or change both shape and volume at the same time.

When Might You Need a Breast Lift Without Implants?

A breast lift without implants is suitable for women who are happy with their current size but not with the shape. The most common reasons for seeking it are:

• after pregnancy and breastfeeding, when the breast loses its former shape;

• after significant weight loss, when excess skin appears and the breast sags;

• age-related changes, when the skin loses firmness and the tissues gradually shift downward.

Comment from a GENEVITY plastic surgeon:“Many patients are sure they need implants after pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, an examination often shows that the breast’s own volume is sufficient and only its shape needs correcting. One guideline is the position of the nipples relative to the fold under the breast. If they are at the level of the fold or below it, this may indicate the need for a lift.”

In Which Cases Is a Breast Lift Combined with Augmentation?

A breast lift is combined with implant placement when it is necessary to correct the shape and increase the volume at the same time. This option is suitable if:

• the breast was originally small and has noticeably sagged;

• the upper pole of the breast has become less full;

• the woman wants to lift the breast and increase its size at the same time.

A breast lift and implant augmentation are performed in a single surgical procedure. The plastic surgeon determines whether such a combination is possible after examining the patient at a consultation.

What Does a Breast Lift Without Implants Achieve?

After a lift, the breast is raised and becomes rounder, and the nipples take a natural position. Its size, however, remains practically unchanged. Implants are needed to increase volume and add fullness to the upper part of the breast.

At the GENEVITY longevity and quality of life center, the result of mammoplasty can be complemented with the Ultraformer MPT procedure. This device-based technique helps tighten the skin of the décolleté area, improve its firmness, and achieve a more pronounced aesthetic effect.

What Are the Features of a Breast Lift with Implants?

When a lift is combined with implant placement, you can not only raise the breast but also change its size and proportions. For example, you can make the upper pole fuller while preserving the natural outline of the breast.

Comment from a GENEVITY plastic surgeon:“It is not always worth aiming for the largest possible size. It is important that the shape and size of the breast match the proportions of the figure and that the result looks natural. That is why we discuss with the patient not only the desired volume but also how she wants her breast to look after the operation.”

Breast Lift After Implants: When Might It Be Needed?

Implants retain their volume, but the shape of the breast can change over time. After pregnancy, significant weight loss, or simply with age, the skin loses firmness and the breast gradually sags. Implants that are too large can contribute to this, since their weight places additional strain on the tissues.

What Does the Choice of Breast Correction Method Depend On?

One of the main questions before mammoplasty is how well the desired breast size and shape match the features of the figure. That is why, before the operation, the surgeon discusses the patient’s wishes, assesses the structure of the chest and the condition of the mammary glands, and proposes a correction option that takes anatomical features into account.

At the GENEVITY longevity and quality of life center, mammoplasty is performed by Dmytro Detsyk, a top-category plastic surgeon with 25 years of experience. You can complete your preparation for surgery with us, including the necessary laboratory and instrumental tests. Book a consultation and find out which type of mammoplasty is right for you.