Breast Augmentation Without a Lift in Naturally Large Breasts? (photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
Breast Augmentation: Q&A
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Breast Augmentation Without a Lift in Naturally Large Breasts? (photo)

I'm looking to maintain a natural hang, while adding fullness to the upper portion of my breasts. I'm currently a large C, would like to increase to a DD. I am not okay with the vertical scar that a lift leaves, therefore I would like to get implants while keeping my natural hang. Is this possible without getting the "snoopy" effect of the implant not "matching" the real breast? Should they be placed submuscular? I'm comfortable with my mismatched areola, no desire to change them :-) Thanks!

21 Doctor Answers | Asked by SeriousResearch in Seattle, WA
+2

Is a lift needed?

Hi Serious R., You need a breast lift because your nipples are low relative to your breast and will just get lower in time. If you don't do a lift you will get a double bubble with implants. Your breasts have good shape which indicates to me that the breast tissue is firm. I think that a circum-areolar lift and implant is not ideal as it will still leave your nipples too low. There is a procedure designed to lift the breast using internal sutures suspended down from above the breast; this is... more
+2

Breast Augmentation Without a Lift

Thanks for posting the question. Your situation is, in fact, a quite common one, and I will take a differing stance than some of the other posting physicians. If you can locate a surgeon well adept with a periareolar approach in your breast shape, you can get a very good result with implants alone and not get a snoopy deformity. While this is not possible in all cases, based on your pictures I think this would be a fine option for you. Best wishes! more
+2

Breast Implants and No Lift for Grade II Ptosis

No one wants additional scars for to achieve a result. However, you should think of the result with only implants as producing the snoopy effect to which you allude. Kenneth Hughes, MD

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+2

Breast Augmentation Without a Lift in Naturally Large Breasts?

Placing implants without a lift in a breast that needs a lift is highly likely to result in an unsatisfying outcome--with the natural breast tissue draping off the implant. If you really won't consider a lift, I would think about not having implants. It may be possible to get volume increase with fat grafting. Although a two cup size increase may not be achievable, there is more flexibility in placement of the fat than there is for implants. When you are... more
+2

Snoopy deformity in the making

Unfortunately, you are a perfect set up for a Snoopy nose deformity with big implants and no lift. You should really rethink all these issues and maybe conclude that the best plan is to not do the surgery. Pateints who need full lifts can't bypass that and cheat mother nature and get a great result. That "natural hang" will not be there, it will look very unnatural and distorted. Thanks for the photos.
+1

Surgery

You will benefit from enlargement an a peri areolar lift. Your ptosis is not severe and you should expect a small amount of lifting with this procedure
+1

Mastopexy

Hello. Judging by your pictures it looks like your nipples may be lower than you’re your inframammary fold. If this is the case I would definitely recommend a lift along with your implants. A consultation would definitely be helpful in determining your best option as it is hard to determine based on pictures alone. Jaime Perez, MD Breast Augmentation Specialist Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa
+1

Augment without a lift

From what you say about wanting to maintain the natural hang of your breasts, I do not feel that you need a lift. An implant alone can provide the fullness you want in the upper part of your breast. However, in my experience, the implant needs to be placed on top of the muscle to achieve this. If it is placed under the muscle or fascia, the implant tends to ride higher which accentuates the lower position of the nipple giving the snoopy appearance. If placed above the muscle, the implant... more
+1

Implants do not tend to take up the slack - might reconsider a vertical lift.

Even a DD will not be enough to correct your sagging. After a breast augmentation alone your nipple will still be low. Not sure if you would have a "snoopy" effect. Probably not. Incidentally, there is no evidence that implant placement above or below the muscle makes a difference with regard to the snoopy effect, which results from untreated breast sagging at the time of a breast augmentation. You are a good candidate for a vertical augmentation/mastopexy... more
+1

Breast implants

Your breasts are too droopy, or ptotic, for simply implants alone. They will never look right. Personally, I think you need a lift WITHOUT implants. With a full lift, your breast will still be ample size. If you have implants, they will make you look heavy.
+1

Http://www.beckermd.com/breast/lift-boca-raton-fl/

My recommendation in your case would be A smooth round implant, silicone gel or an adjustable saline Sub-fascial placement and a circum-areolae lift
+1

Breast Augmentation Without a Lift

Thank you for the question and the photos provided. The "snoopy" effect (where the breast tissue hangs over the inferior edge of the implant) which you are worried about will most likely occur after an augmentation without a lift. Therefore you may want to consider a circumareolar mastopexy (around the nipple breast lift) with an augmentation. In terms of placement of the implants, the submuscular space will be best as an implant in the subglandular space may lead to a "rock in the... more
+1

See below

Yes you can achieve the look you want with implants alone (no lifts). However, know that you may not get the fullness on the top part of your breast as much as you like and would have to get help from good push-up bras. Also, be careful about the size as the bigger you go the more likely you will sag, more then you are now, in the near future. Going under the muscle is a good choice. If all the different opinions are confusing you in choosing your plastic surgeon then... more
+1

Photos (5433) Q&A (4039) Forum (122) Doctors Breast Augmentation Without a Lift in Naturally Large Breasts?

Sometimes the patient desires something that does not make sound surgical/medical sense! I believe this is one of those times. I most offer you a refusal for surgery Sorry.
+1

Breast augmentation without a lift

I agree with the responses of Drs. Rand and DeMars. Implants do not lift the breast and larger ones do not lift it more. The way to determine if the nipple-areola/breast is too low for an implant is upright with arms down, feel the position of the inframammary crease and from the front see where the nipple sits in relation to it. If it is more than 2 cm lower than the level of the inframammary crease, then an implant alone is not a reasonable/feasible option. Another method is to... more
+1

Breast implants

I do not think you can get a result you will be happy with using implants only. The implant will stay above your fold, and make your nipples point down even more. Using a periareolar excision, or doughnut mastopexy will give a flattened appearance to the breast. If you do not want a lift, then I recommend doing nothing at all. Implants without a lift may give you a bad result.
+1

Sorry, you really need a lift

You have way too much sag of the breast to get away with just an implant. You would have the Snoopy dog deformity for sure. A lift and an implant are needed. The scars of lift generally heal very well. see video
+1

Sagging breast and implants

Based on the photos you provided, I believe that a breast lift is necessary. Otherwise you likely will have a snoopy deformity. I tell my patients simply....to acheive an overall size and shape that is satisfactory there is a trade off...scars. When patients clearly understand the expected results and scars they are typically very happy with their results, even with a vertical scar. But you must be comfortable with that idea before you procedure with surgery. more
+1

Breast Augmentation Without a Lift in Naturally Large Breasts? (photo)

I believe you can reach your goals with breast implants alone. While I would need to do a physical exam to know for sure, you would be a candidate for at least one of the following procedures: 1. submuscular implants with an extended 'dual plane' dissection. This allows the implant, which is otherwise held up by the pectoralis muscle, to drop into the droopy breast tissue; or 2. tear-drop 'gummy bear' implants placed over the muscles. These will sit down with the rest of the... more
+1

Breast Augmentation Without a Lift?

Thanks for the photos accompanying your question. You are not a candidate for an augmentation only. I don't know any good surgeon that would consider it and if you had it done you would be extremely disappointed in the results. You probably do not even need implants to get an attractive look, rather a full lift to reposition you natural tissues. But if you want a DD, it will take implants. We do the lift and let it heal for 6-12 weeks before placing implants as I think it significantly... more
+1

Augmenting naturally large breasts without a lift

Thank you for the pictures and question. To go up 2 cup sizes with implants (400-450cc) will give you even more hanging breasts. Right now you have a grade 2 ptosis or sag on the right and a grade 3 on the left. If you have the implants placed submuscularly, you will have the snoopy deformity. The larger the implants, the heavier they are and create further sagging with the breasts heading towards your belly button. Since you have an aversion to scars, I agree with one of the... more
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