Breast augmentation and a breast lift are two of the most commonly requested procedures at Music City Plastic Surgery, and two of the most commonly confused. The distinction matters: augmentation adds volume, while a lift corrects position. Choosing the wrong one won't deliver the result you want, and sometimes the right answer is both.
Michael R. Burgdorf, MD, MPH, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Music City Plastic Surgery, has helped thousands of Nashville women work through exactly this decision. As the author of two #1 Amazon bestselling books on body contouring and Nashville's only surgeon to receive the Mom's Choice Award, Dr. Burgdorf approaches breast surgery with both surgical precision and a genuine understanding of what patients want. He breaks it down below.
Augmentation vs. Lift: A Clear Breakdown
These two procedures solve different problems. Here's how they compare:
- Breast augmentation: Uses silicone or saline implants to increase cup size, restore volume lost to pregnancy, aging, or weight changes, and improve symmetry
- Breast lift (mastopexy): Removes excess skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and repositions the nipple-areola complex higher on the chest wall for a perkier, more youthful profile
Augmentation alone cannot correct significant sagging, and a lift will not restore meaningful volume. Results suffer when one is expected to do the work of the other.
How to Know Which One You Need
If the main concern is flatness or deflation, breast augmentation is likely the right fit. If the breasts feel proportionate in size but sit lower than they used to, with nipples that face downward or fall at or below the breast crease, a breast lift is typically what's needed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, mastopexy addresses breast ptosis (sagging) through skin removal and tissue reshaping, with no change to breast size.
Volume loss and positional changes can look similar from the outside, which is what makes the distinction easy to miss. Adding volume without correcting that shift leaves the root issue untouched.
When Volume Loss and Sagging Happen Together
Volume loss and sagging often happen together, particularly after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight changes. In those cases, breast augmentation with lift may be the most fitting solution. It's a single procedure that corrects both concerns at once, adding size while repositioning the breast higher on the chest wall.
Dr. Burgdorf performs this combination frequently, often as part of a Mommy Makeover for Nashville women ready to reclaim their pre-pregnancy figure.
Find Your Answer With Dr. Michael Burgdorf
The right procedure depends on anatomy, personal goals, and a surgeon who can evaluate them together. Dr. Burgdorf's consultations are built around listening first, and patients leave with a personalized plan. Schedule your consultation at Music City Plastic Surgery today and take the next step toward your Nashville Natural™ result.
