Will implants give me the volume I want, or do I need a lift too? (Photo)

Question

31 year old female/ 5"7 // 2 children i breastfed I've spoken to two doctors. One believes I need a lift, the other believes the implant itself will give me the volume & the look I want. Any idea?

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions & photos. When you have conflicting answers that can be frustrating & confusing. Knowing what your goals are would help in determining which procedure(s) would be best for you. If you are not concerned with placement of your areolas and a little more mature looking breast; a breast implant can be placed to achieve some lift with a fuller rounder breasts. To get more perky breast with the internal support, you would need a breast lift. You will not burn any bridges if you want to start with breast implant alone and down the road choose to do a lift. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Dhaval Patel MD 
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago 
South Barrington 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. While an in person evaluation is always best, based on these photos, it seems you would benefit from a lift and implants.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Your nipples are located below your breast fold, therefore a lift is recommended. Without one, your implants would sit rather low on your chest as they need to be centred behind your nipples.

Salvador Medina, MD · Answer

I would recommend you having a lift with implants.The lift can be domen with a periareolar scar to lift the nipple and areola and increase volume and improve shape with an implant.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry and pictures I believe that at least a crescent lift or a peri-areolar lift would help your result, best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Giving377510,
determining whether you need simply a breast augmentation versus a breast lift can be somewhat complicated. It depends on a number of factors including skin laxity and current nipple position. Generally speaking, if the nipples are lower than the inframammary line the patient will most likely need a breast lift. If the nipples are at or above the inframammary line we can generally get by with just a breast augmentation depending on the size of the implant the patient wants. I often still using implant when I perform a breast lift because it provides more upper breast fullness after the lift. To be sure a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine what the patient actually needs.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

I would recommend a vertical lift with the augmentation.  Otherwise, the implants will be low on your chest wall and you may not be that pleased with the look.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They then get to choose what looks right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Mildly Sagging Breasts: If your breasts are mildly droopy, a saline or silicone gel implant placed behind the pectoral muscle might help create the illusion of perkiness. That’s because as the implant fills out the top of the breast, it also fills out the bottom, making it look as if the nipple has moved higher. It hasn’t. You can always get a lift later if you feel you are not perky enough when fully settled and healed. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Justin K. Williams, MD · Answer

An augmentation alone could give you the look that you are looking for without the need for additional scars. If you and your surgeon decide after the fact that a lift would be beneficial it would be easy to do over the top of the implant that was placed without needing to reposition the implant

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on the nicely posted photos I recommend 2 separate operations. First insert larger (in 400-600cc HP implant ranges) in "dual Plane position. If after 3-6 months satisfied then great. But if still see saggy effect, as I suspect, 2nd operation is full lift. This gives you the better course of decision making. Best to virtual consult with....