Dr. Gary Lawton on Distinguishing Breast Lifts from Augmentation

An implant adds volume, whereas a mastopexy, or breast lift, repositions existing tissue by removing redundant skin and elevating the nipple-areola complex. Lawton notes that applying the wrong procedure can exacerbate a deformity rather than correct it. For example, adding volume to a breast that requires elevation may only enlarge the shape without addressing the descent, while removing skin from a breast lacking volume can leave a patient lifted but still flat.

At Lawton Plastic Surgery, evaluations prioritize anatomical variables including skin elasticity, tissue thickness, and the relationship between the breast and the inframammary fold. When a patient requires both volume restoration and a correction of ptosis, surgeons must navigate the competing mechanical forces of an implant and a lift. This requires precise coordination of pocket position, vascular preservation, and skin removal to avoid complications like recurrent ptosis or widened scarring. Lawton emphasizes that the most effective surgical plan follows a rigorous anatomical analysis rather than a preference for the shortest scar or fewest steps.