Breast Lift: Q&A

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Do I Have to Have a Breast Lift?

I am 36 years old and have had two children. My nipples do not point to the floor, but I can hold a piece of paper under my breasts without it slipping out. I wear a B bra now. I want my breasts to be fuller. They are shaped like torpedoes and there is some extra skin. I had a consult and the surgeon told me I needed a lift. The lift scar is so ugly; looks like Frankenstein boobs. Will implants alone cause more sag?

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ivy323 in Ocean City, NJ

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Do I have to have a breast lift?

Yes, implants alone will cause more sagging and are contra-indicated in your case.The Ultimate Breast Lift is a technique that was developed using engineering principles to rejuvinate aging breasts. The results are natural and provide a long term solution to the effects of gravity. Breasts are lifted higher than any standard technique providing upper pole fullness without requiring the unattractive vertical scar. Women now have a successful alternative to the standard vertical scar... more

When should I consider a breast lift?

A picture says a thousand words, and unfortunately this question is 914 words short... Just kidding... But in all seriousness, there are several items to discuss here: Lift or Implants (or both)? An analogy: A breast lift will turn a "tube sock" into a "bobby sock" but not change the size of the "foot". Breast implants will make the "foot" bigger but not change the size of the "sock". Breast implants with a lift do a... more

You Will Likely Need a Breast Lift to Address Your Issues

The fact that your nipple does not point straight down but your breast tissue can hold a piece of paper against your chest means that you have something called glandular ptosis. Generally, the best way to address this is through a breast lift that uses a "lollipop" pattern incision. I understand your concerns about the scars, as many women do not want a scar running down the bottom of their breasts. However, these scars tend to heal very nicely (depending upon... more

Breast Lift?

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give you good advice without direct examination or pictures. Generally, if you are happy with the size of the breasts but wish to raise the position of the breasts and the nipple/areola complexes on the chest wall. You will achieve these results with the breast lifting operation; the trade-off will be scars ( probably around the areola and vertically). If you feel that the scars look like “ugly... more

Consultation Recommended

With out a physical examination or at least a photograph, it is difficult to render an opinion. Your case sounds unique and deserves a consultation with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. Many Doctors, including myself, offer complimentary consultation so you can have your questions answered personally by a professional. see video

Breast lift options

Without a photo it is difficult to give a precise answer but if the underneath portion of the breast skin is touching your chest, then an implant alone is probably not sufficient. If you only need a mild to moderate lift and there is not a great deal of excess skin, then a dual plane augmentation with a donut mastopexy could be a very reasonable compromise. This will avoid the vertical incision in a lollipop mastopexy and may give you sufficient tightening so that the skin no longer touches. more

Large implants to avoid a breast lift

From your description, it sounds as if you would have larger, saggier boobs,. Your fears of ugly scars is a common concern which causes many patients to avoid a breast lift. If you search photos, you certainly will find examples of women who should have undergone a lift and did not. IF this is acceptable to you, this approach could be an option.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation with or without a breast lift?

The decision between having a breast augmentation, with or without a breast lift, in a patient with mild to moderate ptosis (breast sagging) is a choice between trade-offs. Will it look better to you if the breast is fuller but the nipple still points downward and there is some sag? Or would you think it looks better to have a fuller breast with the nipple centered on the mound without any sag but with scars? For some that is an easy decision if you already know you will hate the scars.... more

Will implants without a lift cause more sag?

The average breast implant weighs about 12oz (350g). This additional weight on the chest may accelerate the rate of ongoing breast ptosis. In some cases with just slight sagging of the breasts, an implant alone without any additional mastopexy (breastlift) may lift the breast. However, in most cases, the implant is placed beneath the pectoral muscle and the breast lift is then performed. The shape of the breast mound is usually better when both breast augmentation and breast lift are... more

When do you need a breast lift and your options

To perk up a drooping breast, your surgeon will remove excess skin, reposition the nipple, and redrape and tighten the remaining skin to support the breast. The areola may also be reduced in size. A mastopexy (breast lift) raises droopy breasts from one to several inches and excess skin is removed. 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. A breast lift raises droopy breasts... more

Do I Have to Have a Breast Lift?

Regarding : "Do I Have to Have a Breast Lift? I am 36 years old and have had two children. My nipples do not point to the floor, but I can hold a piece of paper under my breasts without it slipping out. I wear a B bra now. I want my breasts to be fuller. They are shaped like torpedoes and there is some extra skin. I had a consult and the surgeon told me I needed a lift. The lift scar is so ugly; looks like Frankenstein boobs. Will implants alone cause more sag?" I... more

Do I Have to Have a Breast Lift?

Your concerns are real but without a posted photo no way to advise. My guess is a small implant + a donut lift might be a option fort you. Regards Dr. Darryl J. Blinski.

When to do a breast lift

Generally, when the nipples descend below the level of the infra-mammary crease, some breast sagging or ptosis is present. Breast augmentation alone may provide a reasonable shape if the sagging is minimal, however, when the sagging become more pronounced, breast augmentation may lead to a "double bubbled" type deformity where the implant provides more upper pole fullness and the natural breast tissue continues to sag and may look unnatural. In this case,... more

Breast lift

It is difficult to say what type of breast lift you would need. If you are having breast implants, many times I can perform just an areola lift so that the scar is only in this region. On other occasions, I have to use a lollipop lift.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Women are very happy after breast lift.

Hi. It does sound like you really need a breast lift, with or without implants. Implants alone will make you look worse. You either need a scar just around the nipples, or a lollipop scar. (Don't need "anchor" scar). Women accept these scars very well (they fade), because they love the shape of their new breasts. If you don't have implants, A vertical (Lejour technique) internal breast lift gives the longest lasting results. see video

What can a breast lift do

A breast lift can improve the shape of your breasts and nipple position. A breast lift (mastopexy) can also remove some extra skin. If you desire "fuller" breasts then you may need an implant at the same time as a breast lift. Often times the combination of implant and lift can give the best result possible. I realize no woman wants additional scars on their breasts, however, you will have a much nicer shape and contour in the end if you agree to have a breast lift... more

When do you need a breast lift?

Technically, you never need one...but without one you won't see an improvement in the laxity and descent of the tissues. If you need a lift and try to get around it with a large implant, you will look worse in my opinion than doing nothing at all because the breast will fall off the bottom of the implant. Above the muscle won't solve it either as it will ultimately lead to a more matronly ball in sock look in most cases. The lift is needed if the nipple is... more

You need to be seen and evaluated.

It is impossible to tell only from photos -- come in for a consultation and then you will know for sure what you need.

Nipple and crease position answers whether or not a breast lift is needed.

If your nipples face forward, and your nipple level is above the line of the inframammary crease (do the pencil test--place a pencil beneath your breasts then (look in a mirror or) take a self-photo (at breast, not eye level) from a distance of about 6 feet), then you may not require a breast lift. If you have lots of stretched skin, then to avoid a lift, you will also need to fill the skin envelope. Torpedo shape usually implies nipple position pointing downward, and that alone may require... more