Am I a Good Canidate for a Mastopexy Without Implants? (photo)

Hello, I'm 5'5 , 34 Years old and have lost 140 pounds. I have had a consultation with three plastic surgeons and two of them said that I DO NOT need implants. The other insisted that I DO need implants. Ideally, I would like fuller breast and my breasts are somewhat full toward the bottom. However, I really really do not want an implant. Can a fuller breast look be achieved without implants? Do you think that I am good candidate for just the Mastopexy? Thank you. ~B

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by BonitaApplebaum in United States

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Breast Lift without implants - a better choice

Bonita, You have enough breast tissue to reshape and achieve upper pole fullness without implants. There is a technique called the Ultimate Breast Lift that successfully creates beautiful breasts without implants and minimal scarring. With the UBL technique a vertical scar is never needed. The incisions are well hidden around the areola and in the inframammary fold. Implants require longterm maintenance and cannot lift breasts. I strongly suggest you visit the lift with... more

Breast Lift

It is my pleasure answering this question. Observing your photos, it looks like you are a DD cup and may need a small reduction pending on the size you would like your breast to be. Usual suture lines are around the areola and avertical linegoing down toward the breast crease. Surgery should take an hour and a half to three hours depending on your surgeon and technique used. Post operatively you will need a good supporting bra, and should improve your posture. Good luck to you. more

Mastopexy decision

Hi, i agree with the other PS here: you would do well to have a full mastopexy WITHOUT implants. based on the photos, it appears you have enough natural breast tissue to keep you at a good volume. implants with a mastopexy help with projection and "perky" look, but frankly, it's not needed in your case. A well designed incision and correct measurements will provide you with a nice youthful shape and projection. Remember to be healthy, avoid... more

You do not need implants

The reason for using the implants are to make breast larger. Some surgeons advocate implants for upper pole fullness. You have enough breast tissue for full breast lift. I do offer my patient fat grafting for the upper pole rather than implants.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Am I a Good Candidate for a Mastopexy Without Implants?

I would favor not using implants, though this is based on incomplete info. Is your current size adequate? A lift should involve removing a very small amount of tissue (about a tablespoonful from each side) that should cause an unnoticeable volume change. There is some controversy among plastic surgeons about the safety of doing combined breast lifts and augmentation. Although I usually agree with the one-stagers, in this setting with the kind of lift you would need I... more

Am I a Good Canidate for a Mastopexy Without Implants?

I would think of things in terms of shape and volume. In your particular situation, it's my opinion that shape should take priority, which means getting your skin envelope right. Standard mastopexy procedures are sometimes inadequate in terms of removing enough skin to reposition your breast adequately. You may be better off with an initial breast reduction type procedure to safely reposition your breast followed by a later implant if desired. Combining a breast lift... more

Do I need implants?

Hi BonitaApplebaum, Firstly, congratulations on the weight loss. I believe you will have two different results whether you decide on using implants or not. To start with, I believe you will be significantly smaller as well as have very little upper pole fullness if no implants are used. Those surgeons that preserve your volume in a lift essentially perform skin lifts. Skin lifts, in my opinion, don't work well. They... more

Mastopexy without Implants

Superior pole fullness is one reason to place implants in this situation. However, an implant is not necessary, and the look and shape of the breast will be largely determined by how the lift is performed. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Breast lift without implants

You absolutely do not HAVE to have an implant. You can do the breast lift. If, down the road, you decide that you would like to be a little bit fuller, then you might consider an implant. You didn't state what cup size you are currently. In my experience, patients who look like you tend to go down about half a cup size to a full cup size following a breast lift even though all we are doing is taking out a little bit of skin. I think that comes from making a more... more