How Do I Know if I Need a Mastopexy if I'm Hearing Different Opinions in Different Consultations?

I have gone to three consults. All have different views. One said I would need a mastopexy on one breast and another doctor said its bit necessary. How do I know where to go when there is a difference in opinion? Are some doctors better at achieving a more centered areolar complex with differet techniques than others? Can the implant pocket made raise y areolar complex?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Interested in BAug in Phoenix az

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Mastopexy or augmentation alone

Both doctors could be right.... it depends on the look you want. Can you submit photos? That would really help determine what we think would look best on you.

Reasons for needing a mastopexy

First of all, breast implants will not raise the nipple and areola, they basically just make you a bigger version of yourself. So, if the nipples have drifted down to near, at, or below the crease below the breast or are pointing downward, a lift will make them look better and more youthful. But there are scars involved so some doctors are reluctant to recommend this to you especially as the costs will aslo be higher. In this economy, some doctors tend to tell you what they... more

Breast Lift?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I can see why you have received different opinions offered by different doctors. I think my recommendation would be some type of breast lifting in combination with breast augmentation surgery. I would have to examine/ make measurements/discuss goals before I could be more specific about the breast lifting operation that would best meet your goals. Please make sure your consulting with well experienced board-certified plastic... more

How Do I Know if I Need a Mastopexy

It can be confusing as a patient when you get three different opinions however, this probably means that you have a borderline situation. To determine what procedure would be best we have to determine the position of the nipple relative to the infra mammary fold. The infra mammary fold is the line that is created where the breast meets the chest wall. If your nipple is below this line and you have a breast augmentation your breast will look like a "rock in a... more

Donald M. Brown, MD

8 reviews

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

To lift or not to lift

First of all, you have done the right thing by getting several consultations and it is not surprising that you have gotten a different opinion from each. That probably means that your are in that borderline situation where you don't absolutely have to have a lift but it may be recommended to position the nipple and areola higher on the breast. Make sure that you are seeing surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and one who is very experienced in breast... more

Deciding between lift options and augmentation is a personal choice

The most important decision for a woman contemplating a breast lift or augmentation is: "..What do I want to look like?". Once that decision has been made, with the help of visual materials, then it is the time to find a Doctor who is able to produce the specific desired outcome starting with each woman's unique anatomy. Plastic Surgery is the quintessential surgical craft, based on technology and medicine, but each and every individual outcome is the product of... more

Better Understanding Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

Different surgeons have different approaches, as your story illustrates. This may be confusing at times, but can also be helpful in that it will make you think more critically about your goals and what you want to achieve. Ultimately, you should be better informed and able to make the decision that best fits your needs. Different recommendations are related to varying experience and preferences among physicians. With respect to breast lift, I believe there are a number of surgeons who try to... more

Mastopexy and Breast Augmentation

Hello BAug, Please re-post your question with photographs of yourself from the front, three quarter, and side views (please look at how photos look on doctor's websites). This will allow for a more helpful answer. Best.

When you need a breast lift

Need is a relative term, and you only need what you feel is important to you. Generally though lift is about nipple position and we recommend a lift when the nipple is projecting below the breast fold. The nipple is the center of the nipple not the areola. If the nipple is at or slightly above the breast fold the implant will indeed tend to push the nipple upward. If below however the implant will tend to push the nipple lower and the breast will appear more 'mature''. Lift if... more

Different Doctors Have Different Opinions

Without seeing pictures of you I can't make any recommendations but the reason different doctors give different opinions might be related to their degrees of experience (years in practice, where they trained, etc.) and how much breast surgery they do. Typically if the nipple is below the breast crease a lift will be needed. If you are a borderline case just get the augmentation and see if you like the results. You can always add more scars (from a lift) later! Good luck! more