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Will I Be Happy with a Breast Lift Alone and No Implant?

asked 3 years ago by momof2lilones in austin, tx
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 2,671 times
Tags: sagging

I am a 36 yr old mom of 2, currently a D cup and happy with my size. My beasts are saggy and have lost all upper volume. My nipples don't point down, but they are low and definitely need to be moved up. The doctor I visited said I only need a lift, but I can't help but wonder if I will be happy with out a small implant. I would have an anchor scar and he said something about an "internal bra" so that they would be "perkier" and that is why I wouldn't need an implant.

21 answers to Will I Be Happy with a Breast Lift Alone and No Implant?

Breast appearance... a plea for the natural

If patients are fortunate enough to have enough volume, but have droopy breasts, I encourage them to have a breast lift and not to have an implant. Breast implants can cause a lifetime of repeat surgeries... why subject yourself to that if you have enough breast volume? If the nipples are at the inframammary folds now, the breasts are probably droopy and probably require a breast lift. For patients whose breast volume is insufficient, breast implants are wonderful, and there is currently no... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

If you have enough volume, you may be able to avoid an implant

It all depends on your anatomy and you goals, but if you have enough breast tissue to work with, you can usually achieve a very natural result with god shape to the breast without using an implant. An implant will certainly add more upper pole fullness, but there is a cost associated with this, including the potential need for more surgery in the future, so it really depends on your individual anatomy and what look you're attempting to have. In cases like this, a nice compromise is to do... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Is an implant necessary for a breast lift?

Breast lifts without implants are more commonly performed in Europe when compared to the US. Perhaps this is because they are familar with the appearance of a natural breast due to their topless beaches. In the USA, most patients expect upper breast fullness, similar to the way you appear in a bathing suit. Therefore the vast majority of breast lifts performed here tend to be performed usin breast implants in order to accomplish upper breast fullness in the nude. If this is your goal, then... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant or Breast Lift?

Breast implants can work well to provide volume and shape, especially when wanting a fuller, rounder upper chest. However, breast implants do not lift the breast! If your concern is with a nipple that is too low or that the bottom of your breast is too low or saggy, you most likely need a lift; an implnt will not raise the position of the breast or nipple. "A small implant: will add volume, fill out the skin, but not elevte the breast or nipple. Best not to try and... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Do you want a "home run?"

Except in rare occasions loss of upper pole fullness cannot be restored without an implant. Now you stated that you don't want to be any larger so this can be somewhat difficult to achieve. When a mastopexy is performed the nipple/areolar complex is elevated by removing excess skin. Sometimes in heavier patients enough breast tissue is moved superiorly to help augment the upper pole. Unfortunately, this is less common than you'd think. So to replace that fullness you'll need an implant... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

It's HOW the breast lift is done that determines the result.

Hi! This is a very important, frequently asked question. 1) Many surgeons do a lift just by tightening the skin envelope of the breasts. But skin stretches, and this approach will definitely not give you the upper fullness that you (and every other woman) want. 2) You can "rescue" a skin lift by doing a "plus/minus" operation, where you remove lower breast tissue and add an implant, so the total size of the breast does not change. This is not a bad option, but not... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Correct solution

Being a larger cup size allows you to avoid having a breast implant. Your own tissue can be used to give you the fullness you desire. Also the anchor type scar will give you the most powerful and long lasting lift. Adding an implant to an already larger breast size will only add to the weight of your breast and make you sag faster after surgery. Your surgeon has recommended a good procedure for you and you will enjoy the results. In addition, adding an implant at the time of your anchor lift... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Decision should be based on your desired breast shape....

Hi there-- With an implant, the upper area of the breast will be full and variably round. Without an implant, and even with a very well done breast lift, the upper pole will be a bit more sloping (as a natural breast is). I agree with my colleague below that if you think you would be happy without an implant, that that is definitely the way to go. However, I also think that if you think you would be unhappy without upper pole fullness, you would be better served to place an implant. Keep in... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

It all depends what you are looking for

The choice of an implant or not is really dependent on what you are looking for. If you want considerable upper pole fullness then you many need an implant. However, if you just want the nipple elevated, then you do not need an implant. In most cases, it is possible to do an internal auto-augmentation with the tissue that is usually resected during the lift. This can help augment the upper pole deficiency. Good luck with your surgery.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Would you be comfortable being larger than a D cup

Hello I agree with your doctor' s assessment that a lift should suffice. To get upper fullness with an implant, the upper part of the implant has to show in the upper pole of your breast. Small implants have a narrow diameter so they won't add to upper fullness. You would just get added volume without upper fullness. I usually tell my D cup patients that they should just go ahead with a lift and, if 6 months later they want an implant, then they should go ahead. Over 75% of them are happy... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

You have enough volume but it depends on the upper pole look you want

At a D cup, you have enough breast volume to work with and create a nice result with a full lift. The only place you might be lacking is in the upper pole and if you want good fullenss there, you might need an implant. You can always see what you get without an implant and put one in later if you really need one.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift & Implant best choice for sagging and lost breast volume - there are other options

Breast Lift with an implant best choice for loss of upper breast volume for a predictable result. I do not think you will be as happy if you do not restore the upper breast volume that "has been lost". Note that there are other options which I will describe in detail below. I also do not think you need an anchor pattern scar technique and for all practical purposes have abandoned that procedure about 15 years ago for a lollipop scar breast... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

If you're happy with your size, don't get a breast implant with your breast lift.

Breast implants are placed to increase breast size. You already have plentiful breast volume so don't add an implant. Implants do not protect your native breast tissue from sagging again after a breast lift so you will have to protect them with a bra.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with no implant - Excellant choice!

You already mentioned you are happy with your present size, therefore, no volume needs to be added. A lift will reposition your nipple and areolar to the correct position and reshape the breast into a prettier and more natural shape. Fullness in the upper pole may be there immediately after surgery, but as the breasts relax that is usually not sustained. An implant may give you some upper pole fullness but this added volume will mean your breasts will be larger and... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift without implants can look great

I would only add an implant if you want bigger breasts. If you are happy with your size, you can certainly have a lift and get good resuls, including some upper pole fullness. You probably don't need an "anchor" scar--look for a surgeon who does a lot of short-scar breast lifts. You should be able to get your results with just a lollipop scar, not an anchor scar.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with and without implants

It is quite possible to achieve a great result from a mastopexy alone, and implants are indicated if you wish greater volume or if the surgeon believes that in your particular case a lift would not provide you with your desired appearance.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift with or without implants

This is one of the most common issues that we deal with our practice. Women often ask if they need implants with their breast lift. Ultimately, it depends on the patient's personal aesthetic goals. If the patient is only interested in lifting the breast and does not want extra volume, they do not need implant. Keep in mind however that a breast lift alone will not add fullness to the upper portion of the breast. For this reason many women who elect to receive a breast... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Volume does not equate to perky

If you have enough volume, then you do not need an implant, and a breast lift should suffice to giving you a very natural aesthetic result. I disagree that an implant is required for a "home run". On the other hand, you want to have an extended discussion with your plastic surgeon as to what exactly will "make you happy." I would look at pictures as to what a your surgeons breast lifts look like 6 months and 1 year out and also see what some results are with and... more

Vineet Mehan, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

D cup and breast lift

If you truly have a "d' cup worth of tissue, then it sounds like you do not need a breast implant. I would go ahead with only getting the lift.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants often benefit lift results

The type of breast lift or mastopexy is determined by the position of the nipple relative to the fold under the breast and when the nipple falls below the fold a vertical lift is usually best. This is the around the nipple and down or lollipop pattern that is commonly used. The nipple position is measured from the center of the nipple. Despite the fact the areola is above the fold the center part of the nipple looks best an inch above, or roughly the mid point of your upper arm. The... more