Two of the most requested breast procedures, augmentation and a breast lift, address very different concerns. Augmentation adds volume, while a lift reshapes and repositions. The right choice depends on what you most want to change.
Dr. Ralph R. Garramone, a board-certified plastic surgeon and Newsweek Top 150 honoree for breast augmentation, has guided patients through this conversation for more than two decades in Fort Myers. This blog walks through what each procedure corrects and when combining them is the right call.
What Breast Augmentation Can Do
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammaplasty, increases breast size and volume using saline or silicone implants. It's the right option when the primary concern is fullness or size. Strong candidates tend to include patients who:
- Have lost breast volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss
- Feel their bust is naturally smaller or less proportionate than they'd prefer
- Have noticeable asymmetry and want a more balanced result
- Are satisfied with where their breasts sit but want more projection or upper-pole fullness
At Garramone Plastic Surgery, most patients are fitted with silicone gel implants, which tend to feel more natural and are less prone to rippling than saline. Natrelle's INSPIRA® round gel implants, often called "gummy" implants, retain their shape under pressure, are associated with a lower rupture rate, and tend to suit patients seeking fuller projection with a natural feel.
What a Breast Lift Can Do
A breast lift, or mastopexy, restores position. The procedure removes excess skin, tightens surrounding tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the breast. The result is a firmer, more elevated contour.
Sagging caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, or the gradual effects of gravity and time responds well to mastopexy. A lift won't significantly change your cup size on its own, but it can dramatically improve the position and profile of what's already there.
Can You Have Both? What to Know About Combined Procedures
Many patients find that combining the two procedures addresses both concerns at once. Breasts that have lost volume and dropped in position benefit from a combined approach, where an implant restores fullness in the upper breast while the lift reshapes the overall contour and elevates the nipple. This is especially common for patients whose breasts have changed significantly after pregnancy or major weight loss.
A combined procedure is more involved than either surgery alone, and candidacy depends on individual anatomy. That's a conversation best had during a consultation.
Which Procedure Fits Your Goals?
The clearest way to narrow it down is to identify your concern:
- Fullness or size: Augmentation adds the volume that's been lost.
- Position: A lift raises and reshapes without altering size.
- Both apply: A combined approach handles each issue at once.
Every breast procedure at Garramone Plastic Surgery is approached with a focus on results that look proportionate and hold up over time. With over 40 years of combined experience and more than 17,000 procedures between them, every treatment plan is tailored to your body and goals.
Get Expert Guidance from Garramone Plastic Surgery
Choosing between a breast augmentation and a breast lift, or whether both are warranted, is a decision best made with a board-certified surgeon who understands your anatomy. Dr. Garramone's more than two decades of experience and Newsweek Top 150 recognition in breast augmentation mean every recommendation reflects your body, your concerns, and the results you're actually after. Contact Garramone Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation in Fort Myers.
