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Possible to Get Lift and Implants but Maintain Breast Size?

asked 3 years ago by tml524 in Ocala Florida
Latest answer by David A. Ross, MD
Question viewed 1,442 times

I am 23 years old and a 36DD. I had my daughter 6 months ago. My breasts are sagging, but not too bad. I am wanting to get a lift and implants and still keep my size. Is it possible do do that and without the scars?

20 answers to Possible to Get Lift and Implants but Maintain Breast Size?

What you want is probably not possible

It is extremely rare to meet a DD size patient post preganacy who doesn't need a lift to elevate the nipple areola and tighten the breats envelope. An implant WON'T lift you. It will make you bigger also so I don't think your goals can be met without doing a true surgical lift. You can add implants to the lift, but again, you will be bigger fro this. Wait until you are done having children and go to the best Board Certified plastic surgeon in your region for evaluation of your options. more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implants always cause breast size increases and scars always result from true Breast Lifts

No, it is not possible to place a breast implant and not experience an increase in breast size. And no, a true lift cannot be performed without scars but depending on the amount of lift required the degree of scarring varies considerably. That being said if your breast droop is quite minimal the placement of an implant that will increase your size about a cup can provide the optical illusion of a breast lift with minimal scarring. You might find the additional size a fair trade off for... more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implants and a lift

If you have a DD breast cup, you probably only need a lift. However, a lift comes with incisions usually around the areola and often vertically from the areola to the fold. Sometimes even an anchor type incision. Putting implants in is very unlikely to be necessary.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It is a mistake to reduce a DD breast and place an artificial device. Implants should be reserved

It is a mistake to reduce a DD breast and place an artificial device. Implants should be reserved for patients with Small breasts and not for patients who need a lift and already have substantial breast tissue . A well trained surgeon should be able to give you an implant look by remodeling your own breast tissue without the use of an implant . This will serve you better in the long run without any problems associated with breast implants. Best of luck

John Milam Shamoun, MD FACS
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

A breast lift will help

A lift will help your droopy breasts but will require some scars. You may or may not require an implant as well depending on the quality and quantity of your breast tissue. With a breast lift, your own breast tissue can be restructured to give the appearance of a fuller breast. The extent of scars for a mastopexy will depend on the extent of droopiness and the quality of your skin.

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Two approaches for lift and implants

This is one of the most interesting clinical situations that we face. A large saggy breast with flat upper pole. There are few ways to address this: 1. Perform a lift only, which will give some upper pole fullness and remove the excess skin. There has to be scars from this procedure. 2. Place an implant to fill the upper pole and perform a smaller lift.This will make lesser incisions but chances are that the volume will be bigger. To make the volume neutral, the lift will have to include... more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Possible but most likely unnecessary

The correct answer will depend among other things on the stage of your ptosis (sagging), but at your age and cup size a simple lift would most likely be enough to maintain and increase projection (perkiness). Unless you have severe involution (deflation) of the upper pole there is no need for an implant. Remember that adding weight always favors gravity and will generate future sagging more quickly.

Antoine A. Hallak, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Possible, through small implant in the upper pole

This is a common question from my patients that have larger, ptotic breasts. I routinely place a smaller implant (150 to 250 cc) in a small submuscular pocket to add fullness to the upper breast which does not significantly increase the bra cup size. This usually is combined with a breast lift procedure. The size of the lift scar will depend on how much extra breast skin you have.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Why?

At 36DD you already have large breasts. The sagging or ptosis is easily fixed with a mastopexy. Since you are young you have not lost upper breast fullness. So I would not recommend implants, there's really no indication for them.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lifts and Implants with minimal scars

What the public considers sagging (referred to as ptosis) and what we as plastic surgeons consider sagging can vary tremendously. We generally rate sagging based on the position of the nipple on the breast. The public rates sagging based on the breast position on the chest. This can have tremendous impact on the procedures used to correct the condition. For example, if the nipple sits low on the breast, there is no way to reposition it without a significant scar. However, if the breast... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It is possible, but not likely practical

Tml524, In addition to opinions expressed here, you need the in-person evaluation of experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. In theory, if you add an implant you will increase your breast size. In theory, you could have partial removal of natural breast tissue and placement of an implant of equal volume, and maintain your size. I think you should be aware that breasts as large as double-D almost always develop sagging over time and with pregnancies, breast feeding, and weight loss. In... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Impossible?

I don't see how you can do all of this without the scars? A periareola mastopexy would lead to the smallest scars, but is not useful in breasts that have significant drooping. You should consider also that if you plan to have more children, as this will negativly affect your result.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift likely need

With the cup size you describe you will likely need a breast lift only. You can use your own tissue to give the upper portion of your breasts more fullness. If you add an implant that will only cause more sagging over time as your breasts will be heavier. Plus you have to consider possible back and neck pain. Patient with your cup size typically ask for a breast reduction. The best way to determine which surgical option is best for you is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Some of the sagging breast tissue is removed and implants are inserted to keep the size the same.

Hi! You want what is called a PLUS/MINUS breast lift. I use this operation in some patients. The lower sagging breast tissue is removed and an implant of the same size as the removed tissue is placed. The advantage is that you get more fullness on top without changing your breast size, AND the scar can be kept to just around the nipples. But there will always be some scarring, which fades but does not completely disappear. A lift without implants would leave you with more scarring... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You may not need breast implants to maintain size

If you did not lose breast volume after pregnancy, a breast lift alone will make your breasts look fuller and more lifted. If, however, your breast gland is smaller, a combined breast lift and breast augmentation may be necessary. Be sure to consult 2 board certified plastic surgeons for an opinion based on your exam. A breast lift always causes some scarring, but the benefits of a beautiful full uplifted breast are well worth the scars and when the operation is done well and you do not have... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

A Lift with Implants possible

There are different types of lifts available. We would need actual measurements to tell which type of lift might be best. Implants can be placed at the same time. The size of implant needed really depends upon your wishes. Depending upon the type of lift, your breast might be compacted (made firmer). It may have a perkier, but different look than you had before pregnancy. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon should be able to evaluate you and answer all of your questions.

William H. Huffaker, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

www.stlcosmeticsurgery.com

Minimal scarring from lift is possible

How do you know if you are a candidate for implants or a lift? First, ask yourself whether your problem is volume or shape. If you want to go bigger, the only way to do that is with implants. If you're sagging or asymmetrical, and are looking for perkiness, you'll need a lift--or, if you also want more volume, a lift and implants. The great thing about these techniques is that they can now be down with minimal scarring and performed as an outpatient procedure without the need for general... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Scar quality is variable, but scars are necessary

Hi there- The procedure you are referring to (breast re-shaping or lift with implants) is truly a very subtle one, especially as you do not want a significant change in volume- and you should therefore be very careful to identify a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a lot of experience doing cases like yours. With regard to the scars, there are many techniques available for minimization of the scars and maximization of the outcome (often with remarkable inconspicuous results), but you... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Different strokes for different folks

I see many patients such as yourself. Let's look at it like this: If you like your size, then just lift your breast. If you want to be bigger then get an implant. If you want to be smaller then reduce your breast. If you are sagging then get a lift, keep the two separate in your mind. Implants don't take the sag out. They make it look BIGGER! The above does have some warnings. 1. Some lifts do reduce volume a little, but the lifted breast may appear larger because it is perkier, even... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Surgery always means scars

Surgery by definition requires scars. The question is where are the scars, how long are the scars, and what is the quality of the scars. Scar quality is unpredictable for a specific scar although there are statistical estimates of the quality for specific techniques that may suggest how noticable or acceptable they may be. It is quite possible to retain size since a breast lift will often reduce the size or spatial volume of the breast by compressing the breast tissue and an implant may be... more