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Is a Lift Really Needed or is It Accomplishable with an Under Muscle Implant? (photo)

I've had about a 30lb weight loss and now my main goal for seeking surgery is to regain volume. The last surgeon I consulted recommendend an implant above the muscle and lift (leaving a vertical scar). I want to avoid the vertical scar and the need for a possble lift later due to the implant being over the muscle. My left nipple is 7.5 cm from the fold and the right is about 8cm. From the sternal notch to the nipples it about 22-23. I'm currently a B cup down from a full C to D.

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by gigi081180

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Breast Lift with Breast Implants after Weight Loss

Most people that have successfully lost a large amount of weight are left with stretched skin that does not bounce back completely. Skin removal with a lift is needed to give the best appearance. Your photos show that your nipple and areola are well below the fold at the base of your breast. You will definitely need a lift if you choose to have implants. Without that, your nipple position will not be at the fullest part of the implant and will look unnatural... more

No need for a breast implant when utilizing the Ultimate Breast Lift technique

Hi Gigi, Congratulations on your weight loss! Sounds like you've been doing your homework, good for you! There is a new procedure called the Ultimate Breast Lift that builds an internal cone from your own tissue and suspends it permanently to your chest wall, thus minimizing downward migration of the breast mound. This technique provides upper pole fullness without the need of an implant and completely eliminates the vertical scar. It essentially provides women with an internal... more

An implant won't always accomplish what a breast lift can...

Generally patients that have lost a significant amount of weight experience at least a mid-to-moderate ptosis (sagging). In order to get the best result from a breast augmentation it is essential to ensure that the breast gland is centered over the implant. Although many physicians have attempted to avoid the lift by using a larger implant, this has rarely resulted in a desirable final result. One way to cheat the lift is to place the implant on top of the muscle as it allows the... more

Do You Need a Breast Lift

From your photos it is fairly clear from your frontal photos that you already have too much skin and a excess droop to your breasts - this is very common after weight loss. An augmentation alone will just leave you with larger, droopy breasts. This will progress with time and from the weight of the implant. No patient ever wants more scar, but neither do they want an inferior result. Patients quiet routinely accept the scar without an issue, however, if they are unhappy with the... more

Breast lift for an under the muscle implant

Facts are an under the gland implant after weight loss more often allows you to forgo a lift because of the better marriage between the implant and the breast, hand in glove so to speak. Measurements are nice, but don't forget the pencil test, as the point of the lift is to keep the nipple up front and center over the implant. It is a myth that the submuscular approach will hold up the implant and reduce breast droop. Even under the muscle the lax breast will droop over the surface of... more

Breast augment/lift

Thanks for posting the measurements. I know that you'd like to avoid the scarring and you may not want to hear this but: the vertical breast lift with augment is the appropriate procedure. I do not think that undergoing an augment first will produce a satisfactory result and believe that the results will be dissatisfying in your case. A periareolar mastopexy is suitable for some patients but, judging from the photos, I do not think it is the procedure of choice for you.

Breast Lift Benefits

Congratulations on the weight loss. Based on your description and photos, you will most likely benefit from a breast lift to accompany a submuscular breast augmentation. To verify, you will need an in person consultation and exam with an experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeon. Ideally, consult in person with 3 - 4 board certified plastic surgeons to explore your options.

Lift

It is very difficult to give you a adequate recommendation without an exam, however after looking at your pictures you most likely will need a lift ( with a vertical and probably a horizontal component), when performed together these surgeries are sometimes difficult to obtain a predictable result, hence why this combination of procedures is the most common combination involved in malpractice. If you are willing to have a low nipple areola complex and you do not mind to... more

Breast lift

I definitely agree with your plastic surgeon. You need a lift with a small to moderate size implant and this is best done with a vertical lift. An impant alone will never look right.

Breast lift

Remember, breast implants make breasts fuller they do not lift them. From your photos, it looks like you need a lift.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implants or breast lift

From you pictures it is pretty evident that you do need a breast lift. When patients try to avoid that fact and go with an implant we often see that the result is an overly large implant and breasts that are lower on the chest wall. your best bet is a breast lift and if you still desire more volume then an augmentation.

You would benefit from a combination of a breast lift and an implant

One of the few negative effects of weight loss is that the breasts often lose tone and structure. A beautiful breast form can be restored with a properly planned operation. In general, if the nipples are at or below the level of the bottom edge of the breast on front or side view the best result will be obtained with a combination of a breast lift and an implant. For a patient with your type of situation I would generally recommend a combination of a vertical... more

Vertical breast lift and augmentation can maximize breast aesthetic result

I think the vertical mastopexy and submuscular augmentation plan is a good one. Stay with implants on the smaller range for this combination procedure. I have never had regrets about recommending and doing a vertical mastopexy for patients with your anatomy, but certainly have patients that I wish I would have done a vertical pexy' for. The peri-areolar mastopexy is not a powerful or long-lasting lift, tends to flatten the breast and the scar is unpredictable.

A lift is needed for sure

From your photos, you will not get a great result without a full lift. It just isn't possible to cheat mother nature with implants alone. On the other hand, if you check multiple surgeons photos, you can find those who are the best sculptors of the tissue (don't base it on vertical vs T scar) and talk to them about the best plan for you.

Lift and augmentation after weight loss

I have a hunch everyone is going to agree on this 1. it will be very difficult to get you a reasonable results without doing some form of lift along with or before the augmentation. I am particularly fond of the lift that goes only around the areola but I'm not sure you are going to get away with that. good luck with your procedure.

Is a Submuscular Implant alone sufficient to correct breast sagging?

From just looking at the photos I would be inclined to suggest a combination of breast augmentation with breast lifting as the primary procedure. I do occasionally perform a dual plane sub-pectoral breast augmentation alone in a patient with your anatomy with the understanding that a breast lift may be desired at a late date by the patient as a secondary procedure, should she fell that the shape of the breast is not fully to her liking. The ultimate decision is yours, providing you... more

Breast Lift Needed?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Congratulations on your weight loss; you should be proud of this accomplishment. As you can imagine, it is not possible to give you precise advice without direct examination and a full communication of your goals. Having said that, based on your history and viewing your pictures, I think you would be best off with a sub muscular (dual plane) breast augmentation along with breast lifting. In my hands, this operation will likely involve a... more