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Which Breast Surgery Will Give Me Perkier, Fuller Breasts?

Before I had my first child, my breasts were a small B-cup. I got pregnant, then all of a sudden my boobs jumped to double D's. I was extremely excited to have huge full boobs without surgery, but soon after I had my baby, they seemed to just deflate like balloons. What would be the best breast surgery to make them higher and fuller? I always heard if you get implants they make them more lifted but I'm not sure.

Asked 41 months ago by Miche11e3 in ut
Sort 27 expert answers by:
+3

The Operation is Tailored to the Patient

Rejuvenation of a woman's breasts after having children is a very common scenario for plastic surgeons. While most women who are seeking cosmetic breast surgery would like their breasts to be full and sitting nicely on the chest, this goal will require different approaches based on the individual's inherent anatomy. There are usually 3 key issues that need to be addressed by your surgeon, and your input in this process is really important: 1) volume or size of the breast: the surgeon... more
Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fuller , perky breasts with breast implants-results vary-depends on skin excess, position of nipple

Your question is a good one. It is a common dilemma and it is one of the most difficult situations, as a surgeon to explain to a patient, in my experience. I have a lot to say about it, so sit down now, as my intent is to explain the logical, scientific and aesthetic considerations that must be addressed. The decision of--breast augmentation alone vs. breast augmentation and simultaneous breast lift (mastopexy), are dependent on some key issues which I will outline below, and which I address... more
Christine A. Petti, MD
Torrance Plastic Surgeon
+2

What Goes Down Must Go Up - Turning Breast Deflation Into Breast Elation

Loss of volume of the breasts is quite common after pregnancy and breast feeding. The firm and full appearance of the breasts resulting from the hormonal stimulation of the breasts and the accumulation of milk in the glands may enlarge the breasts by several cup sizes. When breast feeding ends and the hormonal stimulation diminishes, the breasts appear to deflate. In some cases, the breasts may appear to be even smaller than they were before pregnancy, and they also may appear droopy, with... more
Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Sorting out implants and lifts

The issues you describe are common in plastic surgery practices. There are basically 3 types of patients that come in for breast restoration after childbirth. 1. The first variety have well shaped breasts with the nipple areola well above the crease below the breast. These people have usually always been small and gravity and looseness have not affected them much. They can have a simple breast augmentation to get to their desired end point working with their surgeon to achieve the look... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mommie Makeover for your breasts

The scenario that you describe effects millions of women across America annually and is one reason for the marketing phenomenon known today as "Mommie makeovers". Typically, correction of the condition that you describe requires both a breast lift and augmentation using implants. However, since you were excited about your "huge full boobs" during pregnancy, you might be a candidate for a large augmentation, which might correct your sagging without the "lift"... more
Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Perkiness is in the eye of the beholder

Perkiness is not an anatomical definition. What makes a breast look perky or saggy is deterined by a number of factors (i.e. location of nipple, amount of breast tissue below the inframammary fold, the degree of fullness or emptiness above the nipple, firmness of the breast tissue and skin, etc.) What you shoud do is explain exactly what sort of breast you would like to your plastic surgeon, both in terms of volume and shape. Depending on what you have to begin with, you might need just a... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Implants + a possible lift

The best option to give you higher fullness is to get high profile saline implants. Whether or not you need a lift will be completely dependent on your current breast tissue. Without looking at where you are now and where you want to be, it is impossible to tell exactly what size implants or if a lift is necessary. But for starters, Saline will give you a rounder and higher profile than Silicone. Plus, you can choose to do a low, moderate or high profile of Saline as well. A high profile... more
Joseph Thomas Cruise, MD
California Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast augmentation surgery.

It is very common in pregnancy that you will go up a cup size or two. Depending on several factors (like weight gain, weight loss, response to hormones, breast feeding), some women's breast will sag or droop significantly after. In order to restore lost fullness to the upper part of the breast, an augmentation is the only thing that will restore that volume. If you have a lot of sagging however, you will need (or at least you should consider having a breast lift at the same time of your... more
Vishal Kapoor, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Perkier, Fuller Breasts and How To Get Them

It depends on what type of breasts you have before surgery. If you have small, non-ptotic breasts then an implant is sufficient. If you have minimal breast tissue and no ptosis, which means that your nipple position is in a good position in your bra then you can use implants alone. If you have sagging breast tissue with breast ptosis then you need a combination of a breast augmentation with a lift, called an augmentation/mastopexy. It is difficult to give perkier, fuller breasts with a... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Getting bigger, perkier breasts

Hello, Getting bigger breasts and getting perkier breasts may require different procedures, especially if you have had kids. Often after having children, breasts have excess laxity. Excess laxity is often best corrected by a breast lift, while breast augmentation is performed to increase breast size. Getting an excessively big implant to help correct some of the excess breast laxity is usually not a wise decision as the two procedures are designed to accomplish... more
Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Achieving perky breasts following pregnancy, lactation and nursing

In many instances this is a complex operation and may require more than one procedure but typically requires a lift, reduction and augmentation with implants.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restoring fullness to the breasts after pregnancy

After pregnancy, especially when there is a large change in volume (increase and then decrease) the breast skin envelope stretches and there is a disproportionately greater envelope size as compared to the amount of tissue you have to fill that envelope. It is essential to use measurements of the breast and assess the tissue characteristics so as to find the most ideal implant size. At that time, it can be determined whether or not a lift is required. I find that using a dual plane 2 or... more
Mark D. Epstein, MD
Stony Brook Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correction of Breast Drooping

In your case it is unlikely that breast augmentation alone will correct your problem.  Ideally, you need an augmnentation to restore volume and a lift to bring the soft tissue into position.   This combined procedure has a 20% chance of needing a touch up surgery after the tissues have relaxed and the wounds matured.  This ultimately will give you your best result.
Benjamin Schlechter, MD
Reading Plastic Surgeon
+1

Achieving fuller, perkier breasts

The question I always ask patients who ask if they need a lift or an augmentation or both is : When you have your bra on, are you happy with the size / volume of your breasts?"  If the patient IS happy with the present volume, then they aren't looking for an augmentation and by lifting the breast, repositioning the nipple/areolar in a perkier position and tucking all the present breast tissue inside a smaller envelope of skin, this will result in a lifted, better shaped... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

The best way to restore the full, perky lift you had during pregnancy is by combining

Breast augmentation with a simultaneous breast lift. In my experience, breast augmentation with implants are a great way to enlarge your bust line, but should not be thought of as a way to change the position of the nipples or shape of the breasts. To restore the volume lost following preganancy often requires a breast lift in addition to augmentation. To guide your decision process, you should consult an experienced cosmetic breast surgeon and carefully review your goals... more
Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation and lift

A photo would have been helpful to determine which breast procedures you would benefit from to achieve a fuller and perkier look. Based on the information you provided, it sounds as though you would benefit significantly from a breast augmentation with a possible breast lift as well to improve the deflated "saggy" look. The quality of the skin The type of incision used for the lift (mastopexy) would depend on the location of your nipple-areola complex and the look you want to... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants alone vs. Implants and Lift: THAT is the question.

Examination of your breasts (or digital photos if you're at a distance) will allow any board-certified plastic surgeon to tell you if implants alone can restore your deflated beasts to a fuller, perkier look. Basically, if your nipples point forward (not down), and are above the position of your inframammary crease (put a pencil beneath your breasts in the crease and look in a mirror), implants alone can often give your breasts a youthful improvement. The degree of deflation can require... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation and Pregnancy

There are many factors involved; there are different sizes and shapes of implants available that can make a big difference. If you have a small body frame you may be a candidate for a high profile implant. Depending on the width of your chest will determine how large you can go. Sometimes having implants alone will give a great result. Many times though a breast lift may be needed if there is too much laxity in the skin, you don’t want your nipples pointing to your toes. Another... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Perkier, fuller breasts with implants

After breast feeding the breast size often decreases ( i.e.postpartum breast atrophy ). An experienced plastic surgeon would examine and measure you first, to best assess what is most attractive for your body. Frequently, an individually selected implant can result in perkier, fuller breasts. Occasionally a breast lift may also be needed. 
George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants for fuller, perkier breasts

Breast implants will certainly help correct the post-pregnancy deflation you've experienced, but the question is whether or not you also need a breast lift.  If your nipple is in good position, than you will probably get the fuller, perkier breasts you desire from implants alone.  However, if your nipples point downward, you made need a lift to restore proper nipple position along with implants to restore the lost volume. 
Amy M. Sprole, MD
Wichita Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants might make saggy breasts look full again.

After pregnancy, volume loss can be corrected with breast implants and ptosis (droopiness) can be camouflaged.  This is not applicable in all patients--it depends upon the degree of ptosis.  When implants alone won't solve the problem, a breast lift (mastopexy) will be necessary.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treating breast deflation after pregnancy

Many women experience volume loss after having children, especially if they breast fed.  In many cases this requires a breast lift in combination with an augmentation.  This will help replace the volume, as well as, tighten the skin of the breast and raise the height of the nipple.  A plastic surgeon will be able to offer guidance on the best procedure to address your concerns. Best wishes, Neil Zemmel, MD
Neil J. Zemmel, MD
Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants make breasts fuller, but they won't lift the breast

If you need a breast lift, then you need a breast lift--whether you add an implant or not.  An implant will give you more fullness.  The breast lift (if you need it) will reshape and tighten the skin.
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift with Implants

After breastfeeding many breasts deflate.  If you just lifted the breasts without an implant your size would definitely be smaller because most of your breast may be skin at this point.  Also there will be very little superior fullness after just a lift.  In order to give fullness and a great shape, the way to go is to combine the lift with an implant.
Kari L. Colen, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Augmentation mastopexy

You probably will need a combination procedure with both lifting (mastopexy) and implants to restore your volume. You have options for saline- filled or silicone-filled implants, and several scar patterns for your breast lift. The most limited scar invoves a circular scar at the border of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple). Usually, however to achieve a better shape a vertical scar from the areola down to the fold beneath the breast is also needed. Sometimes a short... more
David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon
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