Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift: What’s the Difference?

While often confused for one another, breast augmentation and a breast lift are very different procedures. While breast augmentation and a breast lift can be used together to create beautiful aesthetic results, not all patients are candidates for both and may only need one of these procedures. Learn the key differences below:

Breast Augmentation

Ideal Candidate:

Desires fuller, larger breasts. Wishes to fill out clothing.

What it does:

An FDA-approved silicone gel or saline implant is placed to increase breast size.

What it doesn’t do:

A breast augmentation will not fix or correct sagging breasts.

Recovery time:

Anywhere from 1-5 days depending on several factors.

Cost

Ranges from $6,000 to $8,000.

Breast Lift

Ideal Candidate:

Desires correction of breast sagging (possibly from weight loss, pregnancy or aging).

What it does:

Removes excess skin and possibly tissue to make breasts more lifted and perky.

What it doesn’t do:

A breast lift will not necessarily make breasts larger.

Recovery Time:

Anywhere from 2-5 days depending on several factors.

Cost:

Ranges from $3,500 – $8,000.

The best way to find out whether you require a breast augmentation or a breast lift is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Schedule your consultation here.

Return to Overview