How to Know if Breast Lift is Needed?

asked 2 years ago by babe020406 in Springfield, OR
Latest answer by Darrick E. Antell, MD
Question viewed 800 times
Tags: age 25-34, breasts, female, 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in

I know I want some form of tummy tuck and breast augmentation. However, I don't know if I just need implants or if I will also need a breast lift. How can I tell? I'm a 26 year old mother of three. I'm 5ft. and 115lbs.

9 answers to How to Know if Breast Lift is Needed?

Nobody puts Babe in the corner

Babe, I know, it's "baby". A consultation with your board certified plastic surgeon will determine whether you need a lift or not with your implants. You will get a lift effect from the implants alone and if you only need a small lift, a larger implant might be enough to avoid the lift scars. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Breast lift with implants

Some degree of a lift can happen with implants alone. However, if your nipple is at, or below the fold under your breast, you might consider doing an actual lift as well. In general, I tend to recommend only doing the implants unless the amount of sag is significant. If you have the implants and later decide you want to have more lift, you can still perform that procedure at a later date without having burned any bridges.

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Nipple position and volume changes determine if breast lift is needed

The determining factor for the need for a breast lift is the position of the nipple on the chest. A "normal" breast has most of the fullness above the crease and the nipple is also above the crease at the bottom of the breast. Not uncommonly, with pregnancy or weight changes, the breast will lose volume and the nipple will droop down and hang below the crease at the bottom of the breast. If this is the case, a breast augmentation will not fix the problem. You may end up with a... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Rejuvenation with implants, a lift, or both

There are different techniques that can be employed to improve upon the shape and appearance of the breasts. These may include tightening of the skin and repositioning of the breast tissue, insertion of breast implants, or a combination of both techniques. Which technique is used is based mostly on the individual patient. In general, if the nipple "hangs" more than an inch below the breast fold, some type of lift will be needed. The procedure is usually done as an outpatient... more

Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift or not?

A breast lift is usually needed if the nipple areola are in a much lower position than where they started. If the nipple areola complex is on the lower pole of the breast and pointing downward, then more than likely you will need a lift. The same goes for the breast tissue position. If the lwoer pole ofthe breast sits very low on the chest and is very loose, then you probably will need some form of lift procedure.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

When is a breast lift needed

This is not a very easy question to answer without seeing you. Generally speaking if the nippleas and breasts are pointing down, you will need a breast lift. If the nipple is pointing forward but is well below the level where the skin of the chest and the skin of the breast meet under the breast you will probably need a breast lift. The rest depends on size of implant, and degree of tolerance of drooping vs scarring. All these things need to be considered when it comes to thinking about... more

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Is a Breast Lift necessary?

There are several factors that help determine the need for a breast lift at the time of augmentation. These include the location of the nipple relative to the fold beneath the breast, the location of the breast gland relative to the fold, and the relationship of the existing skin/soft tissue envelope and the planned size and shape of the implant. Many times it is obvious to the patient and the evaluating surgeon that a lift is necessary to get a good result, eg if the nipple-areola... more

John E. Gross, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Pencil test for Breast Lift

There are certain features which make some patients better candidates for a lift. Probably the single most important factor in determining if you are a good candidate is the degree of ptosis (sagging). This is classified according to the nipple position in relation to the crease beneath the breast (where the underwire sits). Some people use the pencil test; standing in the upright position, place a pencil horizontally beneath the breast crease and let the breast fall on to the pencil... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Determining the need for a breast lift

If your nipple and areola have drifted south to near, at, or below the lowest point of the crease below your breast, then you need a lift. If when you wear a bra and it lifts you up you think you are big enough, you might need a lift with no implant. If when your bra lifts you up you still pad it for more size, you need an implant plus a lift. Check the photos on my web site for examples.