Breast Lift With Implants: Should You Choose a Lift, Augmentation, or Both? (Updated 2026)

If your breasts feel “deflated,” sit lower than they used to, or no longer match your proportions after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging, there are proven surgical options that can help. A breast lift with implants combines reshaping (lifting) with added volume to restore a perkier position and fuller breast size in one plan.

At Weiler Plastic Surgery Group, patients from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette are thoughtfully guided to the breast enhancement procedures that best meet their goals. Here’s how our board-certified plastic surgeons help you determine whether breast augmentation, breast lift, or a combination approach is right for you.

Quick Comparison: Breast Lift vs. Implants vs. Combination

Option	Best for	What it changes	What it won’t fix well
Breast Augmentation (implants)	Small breasts or lost volume	Size, upper fullness, shape	Moderate-to-severe sagging
Breast Lift	Droopy breasts / nipples pointing down	Breast position, nipple placement, skin tightness	Significant volume increase
Breast Lift With Implants	Sagging plus volume loss	Position and fullness	Not ideal if you want “no-implant” volume only

What Does Breast Augmentation Do?

Breast augmentation primarily adds volume and reshapes the breasts using implants selected for your body and goals. You and your surgeon typically consider implant size, profile, and fill material (saline or silicone) to fit your frame and achieve a beautiful, natural-looking result.

However, breast augmentation does not reliably lift breasts that have moderate-to-significant sagging. In fact, if the nipples sit low or the breast tissue hangs, adding weight/volume alone can sometimes make droopiness (ptosis) more noticeable; this is when a lift (with or without implants) becomes important.

What Does a Breast Lift Do?

A breast lift (mastopexy) raises and reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening and supporting the breast tissue. If pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or aging have stretched the skin, a lift can reposition the breast mound and move the nipple/areola to a more youthful position.

While some patients feel smaller after breast lift surgery, the procedure does not change breast size; only extra skin is removed. Women with naturally small breasts, minimal sagging, and good skin elasticity who may be concerned about a decrease in breast size can opt for a breast augmentation or fat transfer rather than a breast lift.

How To Tell if Sagging Is the Main Issue

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a good way to check if you are a good candidate for a breast lift is by using the “pencil test.” Place a pencil as high as you can under the breast fold. If the pencil holds, you have drooping breasts, and a breast lift will benefit you.

While a pencil test is a quick, at-home tool, the most accurate assessment is clinical: if the nipple sits at or below the breast crease, a lift is commonly recommended.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift With Implants?

A breast lift with implants is often a good choice when you want more fullness and a higher, perkier position at the same time. Reasons for combining procedures often include several of the points below:

• Volume loss (especially upper-breast “emptiness”) after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
• Breasts that look lower on the chest or feel stretched/elongated
• Nipples pointing downward or sitting near/below the breast crease
• Desire for a rounder shape and improved lift
• One breast sits lower than the other (asymmetry may be improved with planning)

If your concern is sagging and deflation, combining procedures usually addresses both problems more predictably than either procedure alone.

Does a Breast Lift Require Implants?

No, implants are not required for a breast lift. If you like your breast size and mainly want improved position and shape, a lift alone may be enough.

However, implants may be recommended when you want:

• More overall size
• More upper pole fullness
• A firmer, rounder contour that lifted tissue alone can’t create

A lift improves shape and position, while implants add volume. Whether you need one or both depends on what you want to change.

Breast Lift With Silicone Implants vs. Saline Implants

Both implant types can work well in a combined procedure, and the “best” choice depends on your anatomy and preferences.

Implant type	Common reasons patients choose it	Practical considerations
Silicone	Often feels more like natural breast tissue	Requires thoughtful sizing and follow-up planning
Saline	Natural fill material Requires smaller incisions	May feel firmer and show rippling more in patients with thin tissue

If natural feel is your top priority, consider silicone; if adjustability is important, saline can be appealing.

Breast Lift With Implants Before and After: What To Look for

Before-and-after photos help you visualize what a combined approach can change. In breast lift with implants before and after examples, pay attention to:

• Nipple position (higher, more centered on the breast)
• Breast crease-to-nipple balance (often looks more proportional)
• Upper fullness (implants add shape where lifts alone can’t)
• Overall silhouette in clothing and swimwear
• Scar placement and how it fades over time (varies by person)

Explore our breast lift + augmentation gallery to see a range of shapes, sizes, and starting points.

What Is the Recovery Process After Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift?

Many patients return to non-strenuous work in about 1 week and gradually resume more intense activity around 6 weeks, depending on their healing and surgeon guidance.

Typical recovery milestones

• First week: Swelling, tightness, and soreness are common; focus on rest and walking
• Weeks 2 to 4: Bruising/swelling usually improves; activity increases gradually
• Weeks 6+: Many patients return to workouts with clearance
• Months 2 to 6: Shape continues to settle; scars mature over time

It’s important to remember that the appearance of your breasts will change during the recovery period, and you may not see the final results for a few months.

When To See a Plastic Surgeon in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or Lafayette

Schedule a breast enhancement consultation if you:

• Feel your breasts look “empty” on top and/or sit lower than you want
• Notice your nipples point down or sit at or below the crease
• Want to understand implant options and scar patterns clearly
• Want a plan that fits your body proportions (not a one-size-fits-all approach)

Breast Enhancement FAQ

How painful is a breast lift with implants?

Most patients describe soreness, tightness, and pressure more than sharp pain, especially during the first several days. Discomfort typically improves steadily, and your surgeon will provide a pain-control plan and activity guidelines tailored to you.

Will I have scars?

Yes, any surgery will involve incisions, and the scar pattern depends on how much correction is needed. Our plastic surgeons place the incisions in discreet locations and provide detailed aftercare instructions to support optimal healing.

Can I combine a breast lift with implants with other procedures?

Yes, many patients combine breast surgery with body contouring (like tummy tuck or liposuction) as part of a Mommy Makeover, when appropriate.

Explore Your Options

Choosing between augmentation, a lift, or a breast lift with implants comes down to one question: Do you want to change volume, position, or both? The best way to get a clear answer is a personalized evaluation that accounts for your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.

If you are ready for more youthful and lifted breasts, request a consultation using the online form or call Weiler Plastic Surgery Group at  (225) 399-0001 to schedule an appointment.

This blog post was originally published in July 2022 and has been updated in 2026.