Breast Lift or Breast Implants: Choosing the Right Procedure
Lifts reposition and reshape. Implants add volume and projection. Some patients need one. Some benefit from both. This guide shows how surgeons decide, what scars to expect, and how recovery and costs differ.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tim Neavin • Updated
Quick self check
- I lost upper-pole fullness but nipples sit above the fold. You may be a candidate for implants without a lift.
- Nipples point downward or sit at or below the fold. A lift is usually needed to restore position.
- I want more volume and my nipples are low. A combined augmentation-mastopexy is often the plan.
How surgeons decide
We measure base width, fold height, nipple position and tissue thickness. The plan fits your frame, not a template. Dr. Neavin’s approach is to size and set the fold first, then choose the lightest plan that meets your goal. This protects support and keeps results elegant in motion.
New to the basics of implants and sizing? Read the Breast Augmentation Guide.
When implants alone make sense
- Good nipple position. Nipples are above the fold with mild laxity only.
- Goal is volume and shape. Replace lost upper-pole fullness and improve projection.
- Tissue can support the device. Fit respects base width and profile for your chest.
Implants do not lift a low nipple. Adding more volume to a low nipple can make the breast look heavier.
When a lift is the right choice
- Ptosis is the main issue. Nipple at or below the fold. Envelope has stretched.
- You like your current volume. You want position and shape, not a size change.
- Asymmetry needs nipple height correction. A lift re-centers the nipple–areola complex.
A lift tightens skin, re-shapes the lower pole and raises the nipple. It can be combined with a small volume change using your own tissue or implants later.
When both are done together
Many patients want more volume and a higher, perkier position. An augmentation-mastopexy can do both. It is precise work. The envelope is tightened while an implant is seated in a stable pocket. Safety and blood supply guide the plan.
- Single stage. Common when the lift is modest and tissues are healthy.
- Staged plan. Helpful when a large lift is needed, tissues are thin or a big size change is desired. Stage one lifts and supports. Stage two adds or adjusts volume.
Lift incision patterns and scars
- Periareolar. Around the areola border. Best for small lifts and areola shaping.
- Vertical (lollipop). Around the areola with a vertical line to the fold. Balances shape with limited scar length.
- Wise pattern (anchor). Areola, vertical and a short crease line. Used for more laxity or larger reshaping.
Scar quality depends on tension, genetics and care. Silicone taping or gel and sun protection help scars mature.
Recovery differences
For a general timeline, see our recovery guide.
Costs and financing
Quotes include surgeon time, facility and anesthesia, implants when used and routine follow ups. Costs vary with scope and whether a staged plan is chosen. If you want to spread payments, review our financing options.
FAQ
Will implants lift a low nipple?
No. Implants add shape and projection. A low nipple usually needs a lift.
Will a lift make my breasts smaller?
A lift removes loose skin and reshapes tissue. There can be a small change in volume, but the breast looks higher and rounder. If you want more fullness, an implant or fat grafting can be added.
Can I do lift and implants in one surgery?
Often yes. When the lift is large or tissues are thin, a staged plan can be safer and more predictable.
How do you minimize scars?
Plan for the shortest pattern that achieves the goal, reduce tension with layered closure, then follow a silicone and sun protection plan while scars mature.
Next step: We will measure, set goals and choose the lightest plan that achieves the look you want.
Request a Consultation
or read the breast implant procedure overview
Board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast, face, and body procedures.
