Breast augmentation (mammaplasty), breast lift (mastopexy), and the two combined are three of the most popular cosmetic breast procedures — and the ones women most often confuse. All can help recapture a fuller, more youthful shape, but each achieves it in a completely different way. If you’re considering surgery, understanding the difference is the first step.

Over time, all breasts change — age, pregnancy and weight changes all affect shape and position. Depending on the degree of change, an augmentation alone, a lift alone, or both in combination may be the right answer. A consultation with Dr Yunaev at the Breast & Body Clinic is the only way to know for certain, but here’s how the options break down.

Breast Augmentation

The main goal of a breast augmentation is more volume — usually using an implant, or fat transfer. If you’re considering augmentation, you’ll decide on the size, shape and type of implant, plus incision and placement options.

Implants are either silicone or saline. Silicone implants give a more natural feel and suit most women, as they can help address both the size and the shape of the breast. Saline implants (rarely used today) can work for women who prefer to avoid silicone and have naturally good breast shape needing only a size adjustment. To a limited extent, augmentation can also help with mild sagging — but it won’t correct true drooping on its own.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

When breasts lose volume or begin to droop, that’s breast ptosis — common with age, pregnancy and weight fluctuation. A breast lift reshapes and lifts the existing tissue for a firmer, perkier, more youthful position. It corrects droop but, on its own, won’t make the breasts fuller.

The pencil test — a quick check at home: place a pencil in the crease under the breast. If the crease holds the pencil in place, you likely have some degree of drooping; if the nipple sits below the pencil, that suggests more significant ptosis. Both situations can benefit from a lift.

As with augmentation, there are several lift techniques, chosen based on your current breast volume, available tissue and the degree of sagging.

How Do You Know Which Procedure Is Right for You?

The definitive answer comes from an examination, but as a rule of thumb:

• If size and shape are the concern → a breast augmentation may be the way forward.
• If drooping is the concern → a breast lift may be what’s needed.
• If you have both — loss of volume and drooping → a combined lift + augmentation is often the best option.

Augmentation and Lift Combined (“Or Both”)

It’s very common for a lift to be performed together with an augmentation. This restores a youthful position and adds volume via the implant, giving upper-breast fullness and better positioning of both the breasts and nipples. It can be done at the same time (an augmentation/mastopexy) or as staged surgeries, depending on your circumstances and preferences. This combined approach is one of the most requested at the clinic for women after pregnancy or significant weight change.

Making a Final Decision

Changing your breasts is a very personal decision, and every patient has a specific look in mind. Keep expectations realistic — the current state of your breasts is a major factor in what’s achievable. Be clear with your surgeon about what you want to achieve, and make sure you understand what each option involves, the risks, and the recovery.

About Dr Michael Yunaev

Dr Michael Yunaev is an Oncoplastic Breast, General and Cosmetic Surgeon and Principal Doctor at Breast & Body Clinic, with extensive experience across breast cancer surgery, benign and congenital breast disease, and aesthetic breast and body surgery.

Speak to the Breast & Body Clinic today to book a consultation and discuss which option best fits your goals — call (02) 9819 7449 or book online.