Breast Augmentation: Q&A

Ask a Question

2 Different Responses, Confused? Do I Need a Lift? (photo)

One doctor will do implants with no mention of breast lift and another won't touch me without one...very confused! Your thoughts? Thank you!

Tags:

second opinion without lift

Comment on this

23 Doctor Answers | Asked by Bellagal in charlotte

Doctor Answers (23)
Community Comments (0)

Do I Need a Lift?

There are two common methods of evaluating nipple/areolar position. A simple measurement from the top of the breast bone to the nipple should be about 20-22 cm, or 8-9 inches. Better, since the breast position on the chest may vary, is the position of the nipple and areola to the breast fold, and the bottom of the areola should be above or even with the fold. It is tough to tell on this single photo, but the areola looks low.,My hunch is that if your breasts... more

Do I need a lift?

That is a great question, lifts are dependent on a patients desired outcome and current anatomy. I am very hesitant to recommend lifts in women that are borderline in their anatomy. There is a tremendous amount of scarring associate with true lifts and if the patient truly does not need one she will be very disappointed with the results. I recommend to patients to proceed with a augmentation first and if unhappy with the results then proceed with a lift that can be performed under a... more

Breast implants with our without lift?

Dear Bellagal. If your nipples are above the breast fold and pointing horizontally, you could just get implants. If you decided you wanted the nipple higher, then a "donut mastopexy" would probably be enough (round scar around the nipple). I would recommend you get the implants alone; wait 3-6 months; and if you want the nipples higher, it can be done later. The donut lift can even be done awake with just local anesthesia and you could go back to work that day. I... more

Breast Lift or Just Enlargement

A physical examination should determine whether you have true sagging of the breasts or whether they have just loosened a little and drifted downward slightly. Typically after pregnancy, the breast atrophies (gets smaller) and loosens because of the deflation, thus losing shape. Adding volume with a breast implant can often fill out the loose skin and lift the breast nicely, creating a youthful shape and increased fullness. However, if your nipples are below the fold under... more

Mastopexy lift or just augmentation

Your nipple is below your fold and most doctors would suggest a lift and implant no lift has a high risk of a larger sagging breast. some doctors are afraid to suggest the lift for fear of losing their patient

2 Different Responses, Confused? Do I Need a Lift? (photo)

Plastic surgery is a specialty where patients often receive different opinions from different surgeons, because there is usually more than one way to tackle the problem. This can be very confusing. I generally try to avoid a breast lift if I think I can deliver a good result without one. Once you take the time to explain to your patient that a breast lift involves a great deal of scarring and expense, not to mention many ways to go off the rails, she will usually be very happy with an... more

Augmentation Or Lift

It is difficult to see the exact location of your nipple in the photo. The key is the its relationship to the breast fold. If lower, it is not likely that you will be pleased with an implant alone. If not, you can always have implants and then have a little vertical lift if you choose.

Uplift or not? Scarless!

Scar less surgery is currently not a possibility. There is only limited opinion that can be given to you based on the single picture you have provided, however the picture does show droopiness in the breast shape. If you require fuller breasts with upper pole fullness, and wish to look fuller in clothing then a "simple" breast augmentation will give you this. If you wish to look fuller and perkier, with your nipples point straight forwards and not downwards then you would almost certainly... more

Lift or not?!?

Your situation is very common. The answer lies in your expectations! What will make you happy. If you want the breast higher and perky like high school then you likely need the lift. If you are comfortable with a more mature look then you can avoid it. In addition, a larger implant will take up some of the redundancy and reduce some of the need for the lift. However, never go bigger than you are comfortable just to avoid a mastopexy. Choose the size... more

Borderline Lift?

You seem to be at the borderline of whether a lift is needed or not. Think of it this way. If you do an augmentation with sufficient size and projection, you can probably get away without doing a lift, but you will not be super perky. If you do a lift, you will be quite perky but have additional scars. Some surgeons may suggest a 'donut' lift with the scar just around the nipple, while others may suggest a 'lollipop' lift with the scar around the nipple, then down... more

Breast lift

Let me start by saying, no one NEEDS a breast lift. If you want perky breasts again, then a lift can give you that. If you want implants and a perky look, then you will need a lift. If you want implants and don't mind a fuller, matronly look, then you may be able to get away without a lift. Good luck.

Different answers

When it comes to plastic surgery, it's not uncommon to hear different opinions from different doctors. breast implants can be done with or without a lift. One picture is not enough to base a complete answer on, however, I agree with most of the posts here. If you are NOT sure about the lift scars, you can opt for the BA only but be aware that you will likely still have sagging after surgery and your nipple will likely still point DOWN. If you are OK with the scars, I would... more

Do I need a lift?

Thanks for your inquiry, it is hard to answer this question from just a picture. My colleagues already your reasons for a lift. I personally would reccomend a lift looking at your picture, good luck.

Planning a breast augmentation with or without a breast lift.

There is often a fine line between getting a satisfactory result with only a breast augmentation and when a breast lift is needed as well. There are several key physical points that I use to determine when an implant alone will give a nice result. To be a candidate for an augmentation only in spite of a minor degree of breast sagging and lack of upper pole fullnesss the nipples should be at or just slightly below the level of the inframammary crease. There should... more

Breast lift with implants?

One photo view of your breasts is not enough to tell whether or not you need a lift. If the nipples are low, an implant will only provide volume and not a lift. Best to be examined in person.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift “Needed"?

Thank you for the question and picture, although the quality of the picture leaves something to be desired, when it comes to evaluating the need for breast lifting. Although precise evaluation would require in-person examination, based on the photograph, I would be willing to bet that you will be better off with breast lifting surgery, than not. This is based on the position of the nipple/areola complexes on your chest wall as well as the presence of significant skin/tissue... more

Minor lift with implants will correct minor sagging.

Hi. You do need a lift, but only with a circular scar around the nipples. Of course, the implants are put in through the same scar.

Breast Lift with Augmentation

There are many physicians doing breast enlargement with implants. Some are better trained than others. Many know only how to insert implants but not how to lift the breast and some do not even recognize when a lift is needed. From your picture (which is far from ideal) it appears that you do need a lift to achieve an optimal cosmetic result. When this is the case, I highly discourage doing only an augmentation but will do so if you understand the option of not doing so thoroughly... more

TO LIFT OR NOT TO LIFT

Without a lateral view of your breast and breast measurements it is hard to give you an accurate recommendation. Breast sagging is the relationship of the breast tissue and NAC to the breast fold. Generally speaking if the nipple is below the fold then you need a lift. A third opinion may be helpful.

Implants and Lift

You will achieve the best shape with a lift along with implants. If you would rather avoid scars and have your breasts sit low with compromised shape, you could place implants only.In my experience, most patients prefer the shape to be right with scars rather than compromise shape to avoid scars.Look at photos of women with your shape, what they do, and what the results look like.

Need for breast lift

The need for a lift in conjunction with breast augmentation is very dependent on the goals of the patient and the preference of the surgeon. For cases where there is mild droopiness (i.e. the nipple is at the level of the fold), the augmentation can be performed with or without a lift. If your goal is to have large breasts with significant fullness on the top, it is better to include some form of lift. You can perform an augmentation without a lift in this situation but the implant may sit... more

Breast Lift or Breast Implants

Although no person wants to hear that more scars will be necessary to achieve a certain look, a breast lift and implants would be the better option in your case. Another way to go would be to put in the implants first and see how you do for 6 months or so. The lift can always be performed later. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Lift or not to lift

From your photo it appears that your breast tissue, indicated by nipple position, has fallen below the crease under your breast. If so, your best solution is a breast lift and implants. If you don't want any of the scars that comes with a lift and your shape doesn't bother you then implants can be placed subglandular. Always remember implants will not lift the breasts only enlarge in the shape that they already are. This is a question that we see everyday in... more