Breast Lift Without Implants Makes Breasts Less Full?

Thank you for the question. Whether you will be pleased with the results of breast lifting surgery done alone will depend on what your physical examination demonstrates and what your final goals are. This will best be determined after consultation with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon and a full discussion of your goals. I think the best way to communicate your goals would be with the use of “goal pictures”. This will avoid miscommunication that may... more

If you are happy with your volume, a breast lift alone may be all that you need. If you want more volume than an implant can be added.

Breast lifts really depend on your anatomy, breast sagging, skin tone and size to determine whether or not to combine with an implant. Sometimes this may mean having a breast lift first and then coming back to add an implant for size and fullness. Combining a breast lift with an implant becomes very complex. Therefore, I would recommend having a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine first what type of lift you need. The less of a breast lift you need the safter it... more

Hi! It all depends on HOW the breast lift is done. Many surgeons tighten the skin envelope to create a lift. But skin stretches, and the long term result is poor. The key is to do the breast lift internally, by actually repositioning the breast upward. This is harder, but it will give you good fullness.

Hi Kris, You've made an excellent observation. In most patients, the major limitation of breast lift (mastopexy) without the use of breast implants is the inability to maintain long term upper pole fullness of the breasts. Although mastopexy doesn't usually cause more flattening of the upper breast than was present preoperatively, it usually fails to improve a flat upper breast without using an implant. Mastopexy without an implant can still provide excellent results. It can lead to a... more