Breast enhancement is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Two of the most common options—breast augmentation and breast lift—address different concerns, yet they are often confused.
Understanding the distinction can help you feel more informed before your consultation. However, the final recommendation should always come from a thorough evaluation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in both procedures, especially if they are used together.
At Dr. Steven Goldman’s practice, which serves patients from across Northeast Ohio and nationally, every breast enhancement procedure is thoughtfully tailored to your anatomy, goals, and desired outcome.
Breast augmentation is designed to enhance:
Patients who feel their breasts are too small, have lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or desire a fuller contour often benefit from implants may benefit from augmentation.
It’s important to note that breast implants increase size and projection, but they do not significantly reposition sagging tissue. Augmentation can produce a slight lift effect but is not a substitute for a breast lift.
A breast lift (mastopexy) focuses on:
Patients who are satisfied with their breast size but concerned about drooping or downward-pointing nipples may be better candidates for a lift.
Many women experience both volume loss and droop. In these cases, a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift may provide the most comprehensive improvement. Placing a breast implant in a breast with significant sagging, can actually accentuate the appearance of droop. The combination of augmentation and mastopexy is a complex procedure requiring precise surgical planning, technical skill, a strong artistic sense, and experience.
By restoring fullness while elevating and reshaping the breast, Dr. Goldman can create balanced, proportionate results that look natural and harmonious with your body.
Also note that some patients who are excellent candidates for a mastopexy, would like to avoid use of an implant, but require improvement in upper pole fullness of the breast, may be candidates for autologous fat injection. This means using liposuction to take some of your own fat to help contour the breast. This is most commonly used in the upper pole and cleavage area. Fat is not equivalent to an implant; it does not add as much volume or fullness, but fat can be very useful to add subtle fullness and improve contour.
Dr. Goldman is also one of the first surgeons nationally to offer AlloClae™. This is a type of donor (cadaver) fat that can be used similarly to autologous (the patient’s own) fat. More information is available on our website and by contacting our office.
While both procedures require downtime, recovery experiences vary slightly:
Dr. Goldman provides detailed guidance so you understand what to expect at every stage.
All surgical procedures involve incisions. Breast augmentation incisions are typically smaller and placed discreetly; most patients feel that they are hard to see. Breast lift procedures require more incisions to remove excess skin and reshape the breast. Incisions vary depending on how much droop is present. Almost all of our patients feel that the scars are subtle once healed and are a worthwhile tradeoff in order to achieve a more perky, youthful look.
During your consultation, Dr. Goldman will explain incision placement and healing expectations clearly and respectfully, ensuring you feel confident in your decision.
Online research (especially on our website) can be helpful, but it cannot replace an expert evaluation. Dr. Steven Goldman is a nationally recognized, triple-board-certified plastic surgeon known for his extensive experience in breast and body procedures, including complex procedures like mastopexy/augmentation, revision breast surgery, and correction of tuberous deformity.
His approach is honest, respectful, and centered around recommending the optimal treatment for your unique needs—whether that involves augmentation, a lift, or a carefully planned combination.
If you are considering breast enhancement but aren’t sure which procedure is right for you, the next step is a personalized consultation. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Steven Goldman in Beachwood or Westlake today to explore your options and achieve exceptional, natural-looking results tailored to you. We also offer virtual consultations for our out-of-town patients.
