Do I Need Breast Augmentation or a Breast Lift To Address Breast Sagging?

If you’re feeling embarrassed about sagging or droopy breasts, you’re not alone—and it’s often due to factors beyond your control. Pregnancy, genetics, aging, and weight fluctuations can all cause breasts to lose their shape over time. Fortunately, a breast lift can help restore a youthful, perky appearance. 

Deciding between breast augmentation and a breast lift to address sagging breasts can be challenging. Your plastic surgeon will guide you based on your goals, but understanding more about these procedures and how they affect breast shape can help you make an informed decision. 

What Causes Breast Sagging?

Breast sagging, also known as “ptosis,” can result from various factors, including: 

• Not wearing a supportive bra
• Multiple pregnancies that cause the skin to stretch several times
• Naturally large breast size
• Weight fluctuations
• Natural aging process

These factors contribute to the loss of elasticity in breast skin, causing breasts to lose volume and position over time. 

Can Breast Augmentation Help With Breast Sagging?

Breast augmentation primarily improves the size, shape, and projection of the breasts. If you have very mild sagging, implants can add fullness to the upper breast, making it appear lifted. However, for moderate or severe sagging, breast implants alone won’t correct the issue. 

Implants are ideal for restoring lost volume, but they don’t lift breasts or improve their shape if sagging is significant. If your breasts hang below the breast crease or have an oval or pointy shape, a breast lift will be needed to restore the contour. 

To understand more about what breast augmentation can do for you, read this  related blog post. 

Does a Breast Lift Improve Breast Sagging?

A breast lift (mastopexy) is the best option for addressing breast sagging. During a breast lift, your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and reshape the breast tissue, giving your breasts a lifted, more youthful appearance. Your surgeon can also reposition the nipples and areolas to a more central position, which helps improve the overall aesthetic.  

How To Determine if You Need a Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, or Both 

Deciding whether you need a breast lift, implants, or a combination of both can be tricky, but there are some simple ways to assess your needs at home:

Questions to Ask Yourself 

• Have you had children or experienced significant weight fluctuations? 
• What is your current cup size? 

If you answered yes to the first question and are larger than a small B cup, a breast lift is usually necessary. However, this isn’t definitive, and your plastic surgeon will provide personalized recommendations during your consultation. 

Assessing Your Breasts 

• If your breasts hang below your breast crease, you likely need a lift.  
• Deflated or collapsed upper breasts without significant sagging may benefit from implants alone. 

Mirror and Photo Assessment 

• Stand in front of a mirror at a 45-degree angle to evaluate the shape of your breasts. Look at whether your breasts hang over the crease. 
• You can also take a photo of your breasts at this angle and compare them to similar cases online to help identify the right procedure for you. 

While these self-assessments can help guide your decision, a consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon is essential to determine the best approach to achieve your desired results. They’ll provide expert insights tailored to your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

The Importance of Lower Pole Shape

A common misconception is that upper breast fullness is the key to youthful-looking breasts. However, an attractive breast shape is defined by a round lower pole. When sagging occurs, the lower part of the breast can become pointy, boxy, or oval-shaped. 

A breast lift can restore a round lower pole, making your breasts appear perkier and more balanced. Implants, on the other hand, are designed to add upper fullness and size, but they won’t improve the shape of the lower breast. If both volume and shape are concerns, a breast lift combined with implants may be the best option. 

Should I Combine Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift?

If you want to add volume to your breasts while correcting sagging, a combined breast lift and augmentation is an excellent choice. This combination gives you both a more lifted appearance and enhanced fullness, particularly in the upper pole of the breasts. 

However, if you’re satisfied with the size of your breasts and simply want them to be perkier, a breast lift alone may be all you need. Many women who have experienced changes after pregnancy or weight loss opt for this combined approach, especially as part of a Mommy Makeover that addresses multiple areas of the body. 

Can Breasts Sag Again After a Breast Lift?

While a breast lift delivers long-lasting results, it doesn’t stop the aging process. Over time, factors such as aging and skin elasticity can lead to additional sagging. However, many women enjoy the results of their breast lift for 10 to 15 years or longer. 

To help prolong your results, you can: 

• Wear a supportive bra that fits you properly
• Sleep on your back to support your breasts
• Take care of your breast skin so it retains as much elasticity as possible
• Avoid significant weight fluctuations 

While no procedure can entirely halt the effects of time and gravity, following these tips can help you enjoy the benefits of your breast lift for years to come.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Combined Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift?

You may be a good candidate for a combined procedure if you meet the following criteria:

• You are in good physical health. Because recovery can be slightly more complicated with a combination procedure, your overall health plays a significant role in how smoothly you recover. 
• You are a non-smoker and avoid alcohol before surgery. Both can interfere with healing. 
• You have realistic expectations for your results. While breast augmentation and a lift can provide significant improvements, they won’t make you look like a celebrity.

A positive mindset and realistic goals are essential. It’s also essential to entrust your care to a qualified plastic surgeon with extensive breast surgery experience and proven results.

Ready To Take the Next Step?  

Our patients have experienced successful results with both breast augmentation and breast lifts, as shown in our before-and-after photos. If you’re ready for fuller, perkier breasts, call our office today at (303) 278-2600 or request a consultation.