Implant Replacement After Having Kids. Will a Larger Implant Work Instead of Lift?

asked 1 year ago by papillon39 in San Francisco, CA
Latest answer by Randy Wong, MD
Question viewed 414 times
Tags: age 35-44, 130-149 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, replacement, upper pole

I am 39, 5'7, 145lbs - In 96 I had smooth/round saline implants via periareolar incisions positioned subpectoral, on the right 375 and left was 360cc I have since had 2 children and nursed both of them for 1 year + - weight gain and loss..And now see some loose skin. I am interested in Silicon replacements and can't afford to include a lift - Will a slightly larger gel implant help with upper pole fulness? Also, what profile implant do you recommend?

9 answers to Implant Replacement After Having Kids. Will a Larger Implant Work Instead of Lift?

Will droopy breasts benefit from implant placement without lifing?

In my experience, implants in droopy breasts without mastopexy (lift) will result in larger droopy breasts due to the increased weight. The droop is not only caused by loss of volume, but also loss of elasticity, and enhanced by gravity. Implants may help to restore lost volume, but also work against the other two forces. Be very careful to discuss this with your surgeon to avoid being disappointed if you choose augmentation for the wrong reasons. more

Randy Wong, MD
Honolulu Plastic Surgeon

Implants alone do not lift breasts

Exchanging a smaller implant for a larger one to correct drooping creates the illusion of correction by adding more volume to the upper part of your breast thus taking away from the bottomed out breast. However, the position of your breasts is not lifted. It may look good, especially when you wear a bra. However you have to understand you are only masking the real problem, and having a larger, heavier implant, will over time cause even more drooping. One day you will need a real lift... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Exchange and Lift

Yes, larger high profile implants will give the illusion of a slight lift as well as fill the upper pole. They will not however truely move the nipple up to a higher position on the breast. Be certain that you will be happy with this small change and that you wish to increase your overall breast size. Dr. Pedy Ganchi

Pedy Ganchi, MD
Ridgewood Plastic Surgeon

Bigger implants vs. Adding a breast lift is a very common question.

This planning discussion is very and neither approach is without tradeoffs. In order to increase the firmness and fullness of your upper breast you need to better fill out your stretched breast. A larger and more projecting implant will accomplish nice improvements and would meet your goals in the short term. However, your new implants will need to be 450 cc or larger. Even if you do not mind having larger breasts, larger implants will accelerate the streching, thinning and drooping of your... more

Mathew C. Mosher, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

Whether or not you need a lift depends on what you are looking for.

Dear papillon39, This type of question ("do I need a lift?") always elicits varying responses from surgeons. The answer ultimately depends on what the patient is seeking. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Do you want your nipple position to be higher on the breast mound? If yes, then you should have a lift. Do you want the entire breast mound to be higher on the chest (IE do you want the breasts to be lifted higher on the chest wall)? If yes, then you... more

Lawrence Tong, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Lift and implant

A larger implant will give you more fullness, but I think you will need at least a circumareola lift to place the areola in a bit higher position.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Will implant or larger breast implant give the breasts a lift?

The answer is yes. Is the lift real? Well kind of, sort of, or indirectly at least. If breast ptosis is not profound then larger breast implants will give the impression of a lift and this is a technoque I employ when appropriate. This indirect lift saves longer and more incisions and saves money. I feel lifts of one sort or another are often done when an implant alone will sufficeand will give a lovely result. Surgeons vary... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

Larger Implants Versus Mastopexy / Breast Lift

While larger implants may temporarily make improvement, the added weight of the implants will continue to stretch out your skin. My suggestion would be to do an augmentation and mastopexy at the same time to achieve the best results. However, it is your body and you have to choose what is best for you. Alternatively, you could choose to have the new implants and then have a mastopexy at a later date. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Implant replacement vs lift

From the looks of your pictures at some point you would likely benefit from a lift, the trade-off being the scars. Saline implants from the 90's were mostly moderate profile implants which were often under-filled leading to superior pole collapse. Switching to larger high profile gel implants (for example Natrelle style 20 or 45) should give you the fullness that you seek, at least in the near term. Since the implants are not filled with helium the additional weight may eventually result... more