Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Augmentation with or Without a Lift? (photo)

I have seen two different MD's regarding breast augmentation with a possible lift. One MD told me I needed a lift (anchor) and the other told me implants should give me enough lift and I wont need an actual lift, however if I wanted higher nipple placement he would do a lollipop lift with the implants. Scarring really concerns me, and if I can get away without any lift that is the route I prefer. However, I do not want huge droopy boobs. He measured me at 25 and 25.5. What do you suggest?

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25 Doctor Answers | Asked by melissam21

Doctor Answers (25)
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Breast Lift Or Not

Hello, Run far and fast from the doctor that said no lift necessary. In addition, you are not a good candidate whatsoever for a periareolar/circumareolar/benelli lift. You will need a formal type of breast lift to achieve any meaningful result that will allow your breasts to look pretty. If you can't come to terms with scars, regardless of how inconspicuous they might look, you shouldn't do the surgery. It is really unlikely you will like the appearance of your breasts... more

Augmentation mastopexy

Augmentation mastopexy is designed to correct the two most common changes that occur in breast appearance following pregnancy: loss of breast volume, and stretching out of breast skin. While there are some moms who can get an acceptable cosmetic result from augmentation alone or from mastopexy alone, many moms have a combination of breast volume loss and skin excess that requires simultaneous augmentation and mastopexy (breast lift). I frequently perform this surgery in concert with an... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Breast Augmentation With Or Without A Lift?

Dear Melissa, Thank you for sharing your photos. It looks like you have droopy breasts that will not be corrected by implants alone. If your aim is to achieve perky large breasts, then a lift will be necessary as well as the scar along with it. However, the lest noticeable lift scar will be the one from the Benelli (circumareolar) lift that will be result of an incision around the areola. The results of the Benelli lift are limited. Another type of lifts is the... more

Breast Augmentation and Lift

Hello and thanks for the question. Your photos would indicate that you have involutional ptosis. If your desire is to have bigger breasts that aren't "droopy ", I agree with my colleagues: You will need a breast augmentation with lift - The lift technique to give you optimal results will likely be something a little more involved than a Benelli breast lift, and more likely a vertical mastopexy. I recommend consulting with no less than 3 plastic surgeons... more

A breast lift with implants is likely your best option

Thank you for your question and the photos. A breast lift with implants is likely your best option. Implants alone do not lift breasts. Breast implants restore lost volume but do not provide lift. To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery. I hope this helps.

Peri-areolar lift and implants

Yes, you are an excellent candidate for a more extensive lift that may result in bad scars in a certain percentage of cases. My recommendation though would be a "mini" lift above the areola through which I put the implant in. It may not be perfect but in most of my patients cases, very acceptable.

Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation

In my opinion, a breast lift is needed. Thiswill give you more fullness in the upper pole (part) of your breast and control the position of the nipple. The addition of implants will give you an increase in breast volume if that is your goal. Be aware that the combination of breast lift and breast augmentation significantly increases the chances for complication. You need to find a surgeon who is well versed in combining the two procedures.

Breast lift

In my opinion you definitely need a lift along with the implants. Your breasts are too droopy to get by with an implant alone. If you go this route, you will simply not get a nice result. It is really important in your case to choose a surgeon who is experienced with doing lifts with implants, since it can be a tricky procedure to do well. Check out their results as well as the scars involved so you know what to expect.

Augmentation with or Without a Lift

Based on your stated goals and the photographs, you would benefit from a breast lift. An in person consultation and exam will verify the type of breast lift recommended. However, the probability is that you will need a full breast lift.

Lift or no lift

I understand your concern regarding scar but you clearly know you want a higher nipple position and more youthful appearing breast. This can only be achieved with a combination procedure of augmentation and lift. The lift scar will be dictated by the volume of the augmentation chosen. You will certainly need at least an incision around the nipple areola complex and vertically down the center of the breast the issue of the scar in the fold of the breast would be dictated by your exam... more

Implants,breast lift

Based on the pictures shown, implants and a lift would give the best results. You would most likely not need a full anchor scar. A vertical lift would work very nicely in your situation. If you are not sure about the scars, a lift can be deferred until later. This is a very common question in my practice and one solution doesn't fit all patients. It depends on how you feel about the scars. Best of luck in making your decision.

Breast augment alone, or lift also?

For the best result, both augmentation and formal mastopexy (breast lift) are indicated. Allergan LF-363 implants and circumvertical mastopexy would be my choice.

Minimal scar (circle around nipples) breast lift with implants best for you.

Hi. You are right that you do not want "huge droopy boobs". Implants alone will not give you a good result. see video

Lift and implants

It looks like based upon the photos that you could benefit from a lift and augmentation. You possible can have a periareola or vertical lift.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation with or Without a Lift?

Based upon the posted photos you will need a lift. I prefer a full one but the L-shaped could possibly work.

You need a lift with or without implants.

From you pictures your nipples are below your inframammary fold crease. This is the determining factor upon whether you need a lift. I would recommend a lift and determine how much breast tissue you have and how big you wish to be at the conclusion of surgery.

Lift

From the pictures you have shown and the advise you got from two different surgeons, our practice would agree with the advise given.. You would benefit from a lift to give you the results you are looking for.

To lift or not to lift

Dear melissam21, Your picture gives the answer. You have a grade 2 ptosis (droopiness ). You have to ask yoursef, what is the goal of my surgery. If you want to a bigger and perky and more beautiful breasts, than there is no escape from a lift procedure. You can have just a purse string lift and togethrt with the implants you will have a dramatic improvement. The scar will be along the natural separation between the darker areola and the lighter color... more

Augmentation with or without lift

Thanks for your question, I think my colleagues accurately have described your pros and cons of your surgery with or without a lift. My vote is for you to have lift. You stated you did not want to "huge droopy boobs" and that insight in my experience means that a patient desires better position of the breast and not just fullness. I could be interpreting your words wrong, but you should probably have the surgeon who thoughy you could skip the lift, show you picture of... more

Lift or no lift

Just to play the devils advocate, I would say what I tell my patients. I can always put a scar on you, I cant wipe it away. So since you are not wanting the scars, why dont you put in the implants and see how it looks to you? You can then, if you desire, do a lift. But putting in implants will give you some "illusion" of a lift. Of the women I do this with, over 70% of the women do not do a lift for over a year, and are happy with just the implants. But... more

Dan Mills, MD

10 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.danmillsmd.com

Breast augmentation and breast lift are designed to accomplish two different goals.

Hello, Breast augmentation and breast lift are designed to accomplish two different goals. Breast augmentation is designed to add volume while breast lift is designed to shape the breast tissue itself. The right answer depends on what you would like to accomplish. The very best result for you will be accomplished by the combination of breast lift and breast augmentation. You can certainly just get the breast augmentation and see how you like it and get... more

Breast lift?

I agree with the other doctors that to have nice looking breasts not just big and droopy breasts you need a lift. You can always stage the procedure and do a lift first and then implants 4 months later. Scars and a nice shape in my opinion are better then a poor shape. Good luck!

Augmentation +/- lift

From the photos you provided I think you need a breast lift. An implant would give you some nipple elevation but it is no replacement for lift in you case. The type of lift will depend on what the surgeon find on examination and measurements of the breast.

Breast Lift Necessary?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your pictures, I do not think I would offer you breast augmentation only. Breast lift will be necessary to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. Also, if you are not at your long-term stable weight, it would be best to achieve this weight prior to undergoing breast surgery. This combination of surgery will serve to move the nipple/areola higher and hopefully achieve the breast size/shape that you are looking for.... more

Needing a breast lift?

An implant will make you a bigger version of yourself, it will NOT lift the nipple higher. To get that more youthful toned look, you would also need a lift. But that is a tradeoff for the scars but better shape. Ultimately it is up to you but don't expect the implants alone to look great.