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Is Breast Lift the Only Option for Sagging Breasts?

asked 3 years ago by SLP Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI
Latest answer by David A. Ross, MD
Question viewed 1,683 times

I am considering a breast augmentation. I have always been a decent C cup, but in the last year, I have lost approx. 35 lbs, and it has left my breasts deflated and saggy. I have consulted 2 plastic surgeons who insist i need a lift as well. I really don't want the extra scarring. Is there any way to achieve a good look without doing a lift as well?

16 answers to Is Breast Lift the Only Option for Sagging Breasts?

Lift vs. implant

It can be very tricky for the patient to judge beforehand if a lift is necessary. There are some women whose breasts appear terribly saggy, but an implant alone can help them. This is especially the case for patients who are thin and have had loss of breast tissue after breast feeding. There are many types of breast lifts with differing abilities to correct drooping vs. the amount of scarring produced vs. the ultimate shape of the breast. There is also the artistic style of the... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like you will need a lift

If anatomically you need a lift, then there is really no other way to achieve a good cosmetic result without one. It is true that the cost of this is the scars, but in general they heal very well. If you simply have implants placed without a lift, it usually looks quite unnatural, with extra hanging skin, and the majority of patients would be very unhappy with this. In short, it's your body and if you don't want the incisions of a lift, don't have the procedure, but be prepared that... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

If unsure about breast lift, have implant surgery first and lift later

If your weight loss has simply deflated your breasts but the nipple complex remains above or at least on level with the breast fold, a lift may not be necessary. A breast implant alone would suffice to replace the volume lost. If your nipple complex is below the fold and points south, so to speak, then the breast lift will be needed. In this latter circumstance, an implant alone will create a bigger more droopy and less aesthetic version of your present breast. However if there is... more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift

If you are experiencing volume loss without true sagging, the use of implants can achieve restoration of breast volume which creates the appearance of a full or lifted breast with minimal incisions.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift

It sounds like with a significant weight loss a breast lift is what you need. Unfortunately the only way to accomplish this is with incisions on your breast.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mastopexy scars will not suit everyone

The mastopexy scar is the number one tradeoff to consider. After all, we have a goal to create a pert well shaped breast which is pleasing bare, or in the nude. The bra is the great equalizer though you may not always want the full cover of one, and the scar may make you feel uncomfortable without. Breast augmentation will provide the volume that you need and as I have indicated in my other responses about lift or mastopexy, augmentation may lift the nipple a degree if the nipple, the... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Visual method to determine if you need a breast lift

I have a relatively simple system for determining if you need a lift. Breast sagging can be categorized into three groups stand in front of a mirror and see which group best describes yourself Group 1: I can see the bottom of my areola and a rim of non-pigmented breast skin from the front, my nipple is at the level of the crease behind my breast Group 2: I can not see the bottom of my areola but I can see a rim of non-pigmented breast skin from the front, my nipple is just below... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

A simple test will give you your answer

Dear SLP, Many women share your concerns regarding their breasts. The ideal situation would be to improve the shape and size without any scars. However, if you don't like the location of your nipple, the only way to move it to a better location would be to make an incision around it. The way to determine if you need a lift or not, is to imagine that your breast was bigger, but your nipples stayed in the same location. Would that look attractive to you? Based on your two previous... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Get the lift if you care about your shape

Nobody wants to have scars but they DO want the best shape they can get. This only comes from having a lift done if your nipples have sagged down to the level of the crease below the breast or are below it or are pointing down. Unfortunately, there is just no way around what mother nature has dictated for you. Your's is such a common senario. Never yet have I seen a patient who would be happy without a lift if they needed one from an anatomical standpoint. I even have pictures of... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You definitely need a lift, but it can be a minimal scar breast lift.

Hi! Some of the most common bad results that I see are in women who tried to get their sagging breasts corrected just with implants. So I urge you not to do that. 1) You probably need a "donut" lift that leaves you only with a circular scar around your nipples, together with implants. 2) If you have really bad sagging, you might need a "lollypop" scar. But you never need the "anchor" or "upside-down T" scar for a lift. 3) How the lift is done... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Maybe on the horizon

SLP, You have had two plastic surgery consultants insist that you need a lift. It is not likely that a third will say any different. However, one option may be to go larger with the implant and place it over the muscle. This gives more of a lift effect to the breast, but is contingent on you having enough chest tissue to adequately cover the implant. Also, very large implants tend to age poorly, especially above the muscle due to their weight. It might be better in the long run to just... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

You have had two independent examinations and the answer is..

No one likes scars, especially on breasts. If both doctors are board certified plastic surgeons, and experienced, you already have your answer. On the other hand, it is always possible to go ahead and get your inplants and see how they look. If you are not happy with the result, get the lift after everything settles. This is actually safer, more predictible, and potentially saves you an operation. Remember, you don't have to be perfect, just happy! sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

The remedy for sagging breasts

It sounds as if your your "skin brassiere" is too large in relation to the amount of gland within it. This causes the breast to fall. Additionally, the fibrous ligaments within the gland no longer maintain tension between the skin and chest fascia. A lift (Mastopexy) is the best way to restore these relationships. Augmentation will not lift and will usually make things worse.

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Very common concern.

This response is taken from my website: There are many reasons why women seek a consultation regarding their breasts with a plastic surgeon. Some simply want a larger bust line while others are only looking for more fullness or a perkier shape. Not everyone is a candidate for breast implants nor does everyone want them. Some women can achieve these goals without a breast lift (mastopexy), while others need a mastopexy alone or combined with an implant. How does your surgeon determine what... more

Leslie H. Stevens, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

If there is too much skin in relation to volume, you need that skin removed

You are to be congratulaed on the weight loss. One unfortunate side effect is that some volume is lost and the breasts literally deflate. One could conceivably put a large implant in, but many times this means giving someone a much larger size than they want in order to avoid scars. In our Santa Rosa plastic surgery practice, we have the patients view photos of scars that are mature, so that patients can now what to expect 2 or 3 years after surgery. Placing a large implant just to... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

If you need a lift, you need a lift

Ladies never want a lift. They want an operation which fixes the shape of the breasts without the incisions of a lift. Unfortunately, when you are a C cup with sagging tissue, you need a lift. Two surgeons told you that you need a lift because you need a lift. If you find a surgeon (there are many out there) that offers you implants without a lift or some other magic, ask to see photos of ladies before and after that have breasts shaped like yours. I see ladies every week who go get... more