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I Am Interested in Implants Do I Need a Lift As Well? I Dont Want the Scars. (photo)

I am a 36 yr old female with 3 children and I cant have anymore children I would like to have a breast augmentation but I dont think I want the scar's from a lift. Can anyone tell me what kind of lift I would need? I would be ok with small hidden scar's but not the lollipop or the anchor scar's

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by amy4949

Doctor Answers (21)
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Ask Your Surgeon About For Stable Tear-Drop Shaped Implants

Thank you for posting the photos. In Canada, I have been using form stable tear-drop shaped implants (Allergan Style 410) in order to get lift from the implants alone. I have had success using implants alone in patients that have mild to moderate ptosis. These implants have more projection than round implants, and the maximal projection is lower down on the implant, which I believe helps rotate the ptotic breast upwards (similar to pushing a kid on a swing). Many of my patients like... more

Jerome Edelstein, MD

13 reviews

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift for shape, implants for volume

Implants alone in your case would leave your breasts sagging, only heavier and you may be disappointed with the shape. Only a lift will provide a perky shape. I recommend a vertical lollipop incision that will fade if you are willing to work through the scar management process over one to two years.

?lift and what type

From the photos you provided, it seem to me that you would benefit from a lift. The type of lift is a vertical one. But, this answer is no replacement for proper examination and consultation.

Don't want breast lift scars.

Your photos show quite a loss of breast volume and projection, however the nipple is at the breast fold. It is very reasonable to have an augmentation without a lift and you might be very pleased with the implants alone. If the scar is not going to be acceptable try without.

Implants +/- Lift

When I initially looked at your frontal photos, I felt you definitely would need a lift, because it appeared that you had a lot of sagging (ptosis). But your side view shows that, though you do have ptosis, it is not at severe as it appeared. Your breasts initially look worse than they are because of a significant loss of volume in the upper pole. So, I think you may very well be a candidate for augmentation alone. If it works out you will have saved yourself... more

Interested in Implants...Do I Need a Lift As Well? (photo) ANS:

Yes you will need some sort of lift...Sorry...But implants alone will not correct your droop, just make you bigger with a droop! Now you may be able to do more of a limited lift along the lines of a Donut lift or a Lollipop lift but that will really depend on actual exam and the experience of your surgeon. From your side picture those more limited procedures may be possible...

Aumgmentation alone when I might need a lift

Thanks for your question. If you were my patient I would reccommend a lift looking at your pictures. A lollipop vertical would be my preference, but if you pick a modest implant, you could have only a peri-areolar lift around the areola with less scarring but less improvement in shape and position as well. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to get a more thorough explantation.

Breast augmentation with a breast lift.

I can understand your desire to avoid scars unless they are necessary. No one is eager for the scars. Based on your photographs I think you are definitely a candidate for a lift. Most likely a lollipop lift, but it is not possible to determine for sure without an exam. Additionally it is necessary to understand what your overall goals are with the operation. If you just want more fullness of your breasts when in clothing then you could have a breast augmentation... more

Do I need a lift?

In reviewing your photographs it appears that you have a grade II ptosis. I think that you would do best to have both a breast augmentation and a mastopexy. A crescent-type lift is not probably going to provide enough of a lift for you and you would do best to have a lollipop or anchor type lift if you are willing to accept the scar.

Will Breast Implants Alone Be Enough?

You are in the unfortunate position with your degree of breast sagging that the acceptance of the scars from a lift may be inevitable. An implant alone will likely make your breasts look worse and certainly will not make you happy in my opinion. They will fill out the upper pole of the breast and push down the sagging breast tissue with nipples on the bottom part of the implant. In short, your degree of breast sagging will be accentuated. You can always try... more

Need a breast lift?

I agree with Dr. Kraft in that you need to look at the desired final shape desired. Just having bigger breasts that droop will probably not make you happy. The scars in most patients fade and a nice shape with well placed scars is better then a poor shape with no scars. You can always stage the procedure by having the augment first and if you are unhappy you can have the lift 4 to 6 months later. Good luck and please see a board certified plastic surgeon.

Lift with augment

I think there is too much sag for implants to compensate for and that the result of an augment alone will not be aesthetically pleasing. Many patients focus on the scarring above all else rather than stepping back and thinking about the whole picture. No scars but poor breast shape does not make for a good result.

Breast Augmentation or Augmentation with Lift

Thank you for the pictures, as this makes it easier to give good advice. As always, I cannot give a precise medical opinion without examining a patient in person, but here are some general guidelines. From the side view it appears that the breasts have settled to a point where the nipple lies just above the line formed by the bottom edge of the breast. If the nipple is below this level, you definitely need a lift. Since it appears that the nipple is above this level you may... more

Need For Lift With Augmentation

Although your result would be improved with a small lift, it appears from your lateral photo that you could get a nice result with an augmentation alone (if you're willing to accept a little sagging). You always can have a lift performed later if you want.

Needs lift, but doesn't want scars.

Based on your photos, it is not possible to definitively state that you "need" a lift in order to achieve a good cosmetic result, but it appears that this is a strong likelihood. Personal examination will help, but you could still be a "borderline" case that might just be able to have implants alone and have a good cosmetic result. But, that could simply be wishful thinking on both our parts! If you can't accept the scars that a breast lift requires, you may be out of luck if a... more

Breast Lift Necessary?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Although it is not possible to give you precise advice without direct examination and a full communication of your goals, I think you will likely be better off with breast lifting as well as breast augmentation surgery. Most likely, the best results will be achieved with a vertical ( “lollipop”) mastopexy. Keep in mind, that if you are unable to accept the scars at this time, it may be better to avoid surgery altogether ( as... more

Lift Necessary?

While your front view suggests severe loss of breast volume and projection. Your side views suggest that while you may not have severe ptosis. Therefore you may consider an augmentation alone or a limited lift. An in person physical examination and consultation would be needed to confirm. Consult with 3 - 4 experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

Beautiful breasts are achievable with minimal scars

Dear Amy, Thank you for your photos. It appears you would benefit from a new technique called the Mini Ultimate Breast Lift. A small sub pectoral implant (never over the muscle) plus an internal lift would work very nicely in your case. Permanent sutures are used to drape your existing breast tissue directly over the implant and thus creating a natural looking breast without all the scarring. Your only scar would be around the areola. The weight of an implant on the... more

Breast lift without scars

Your final goal from surgery should determine what type of procedure you should have. There are different types of breast lift and and option for your anatomy could be an implant with a periareolar mastopexy depending on the size and shape that you are seeking. This could minimize the amount of scar, but also does not provide the maximal lift. You should discuss these options with a board certified plastic surgeon and ask to see examples so his work with patients that have a... more

ImPlsnts with lift but no scars!!

You mist tralize from the posted photos and all the previous expert responses you have no option but a scar causing lift. Maybe you should reconsider the idea of not having a scar

Breast Implants - (Augmentation)vs Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast augmentation and breast lift are separate procedure performed to achieve different goals. Breast augmentation increases the size of the breasts whereas breast lift procedures raises the nipple and areola with reshaping the breast and removal of excess skin.