Dr. Siamak Agha of The Aesthetics Centers in Newport Beach explains the key differences between lifting and enhancing and how to know which one will truly meet your goals.
You’d think it would be simple: one surgery adds volume, the other lifts. But when it comes to breast enhancement, it’s rarely that black-and-white. Many women walk into a consultation thinking they need implants when, in reality, a lift is what will give them the shape they want, and sometimes, it’s a little of both.
At The Aesthetics Centers in Newport Beach, Dr. Siamak Agha helps women figure this out every day. “The most important step,” he says, “is understanding what’s really bothering you. Is it fullness? Is it position? Once we know that, everything else falls into place.”
When a Breast Lift Makes Sense
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is designed for women whose breasts have lost firmness or started to sag, often after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss. The goal isn’t to make them larger but to bring them back to where they used to sit and restore a youthful, rounder contour.
During a lift, Dr. Agha removes stretched skin, repositions the nipple, and reshapes the tissue for a perkier, more proportional look. The result is a natural projection, like turning back the clock, not changing the character of the breast.
“A lift is about shape, not size. It gives you your silhouette back.”
Women who choose a lift often say they can finally wear fitted tops again without needing push-up bras or padding. It’s a confidence shift that feels subtle but powerful.
When an Augmentation Is the Better Choice
Breast augmentation, by contrast, focuses on adding volume. Some women were born with smaller breasts; others simply lost fullness over time. Implants — whether silicone, saline, or cohesive-gel — restore curves and balance the upper body.
What’s changed in recent years is the level of customization. Dr. Agha tailors every detail: implant type, size, shape, and placement. The result doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be soft and refined, adding just enough volume to bring proportion back to the frame.
For women who want lift and volume, combining augmentation with a lift in one surgery is often the smartest option. “When the skin has stretched and volume is missing,” Dr. Agha explains, “doing both allows me to reshape and fill at the same time — the most natural, lasting way to restore balance.”
How to Tell Which One You Need
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- If your main concern is that your breasts feel deflated but still sit fairly high, augmentation alone may do the trick.
- If your breasts sit low on the chest or nipples point downward, a lift is usually needed.
- And if you’re dealing with both — loss of fullness and sagging — a combination procedure will likely give the most satisfying result.
Still, it’s not always obvious. During consultation, Dr. Agha evaluates skin elasticity, tissue position, and your personal goals before recommending a plan. He often uses imaging to show how each option would look, side-by-side, so the decision feels clear.
Recovery and Results
Both surgeries are outpatient procedures with manageable recovery times. Most women are back to light activities within a week. Swelling fades gradually, and scars — when cared for properly — soften beautifully over time.
A lift tends to deliver instant gratification because the breasts are repositioned right away. Augmentation results can take a few weeks to “settle” as implants adjust to the body’s natural tissue. Either way, the reward is the same: a silhouette that feels youthful, balanced, and completely your own.
Confidence, Tailored to You
Choosing between a lift and an augmentation isn’t really about the procedure itself — it’s about how you want to feel. Do you want more volume? A higher, firmer shape? Both? The answer points the way.
At The Aesthetics Centers in Newport Beach, Dr. Siamak Agha approaches every surgery like a collaboration. His goal is to enhance, not change—to help each woman find that quiet moment in the mirror when she thinks, “Yes, that’s me again.”
If you’re considering breast enhancement but aren’t sure which path to take, start with a conversation. Understanding your body is the first step toward results that feel—and look—entirely natural.