Would I be able to achieve desirable results from a breast lift alone or should I consider implants as well? (photo)

Hello @865161771191, thank you for your question. You can achieve great results by raising the base and improving the overall proportion. This will create overall harmony. The lift can be performed through an L shape incision scar rather than an anchor. This allows me to reposition the mammary tissue and enhance the projection of the upper pole and media areas. A consultation is vital to establishing a surgical plan that meets your needs, meets your expectations, and takes into account what is possible. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Thank you for your question.It sounds like you will be going with a breast lift and this is great choice. The question you have is whether you should add an implant at the same time as the lift. You also have an additional option that includes adding an implant at a second operation. You could also consider fat grafting.
Considerations:Do you want more volume?Do you want superior pole fullness?Do you want perkier and uplifted breasts with a similar volume?
Breast implants provide volume, and provide fullness in the superior aspect of the breast. When combined with a lift this can provide a very pleasing aesthetic.
When is combining the 2 operations a bad idea?
The two operations have opposing forces and so combining the two in one operation increases the complication and revision rate. Looking at all surgeries by board certified plastic surgeons, if the chance of complication with breast augmentation is X, and breast lift is X, combining the two procedures gives a rate of complications higher than 2X.
The breast lift tightens the breast envelope whereas the breast implant expands the breast envelope. And so there is a balance that must be achieved to not push the tissues too much in either direction.
It may be advisable to do the surgery in 2 separate operations if:You need a lot of lift: For example: if the nipple areaola complex needs to be lifted by more than 4 cm your surgeon may consider doing these operations in 2 stages. OrIf you want a larger or high projection implant: For example: The breast implant selected should not be a high profile implant in a combined augmentation with lift, and the implant dimension must be within the base width of your breast. Your surgeon will know how to accurately measure this for you.
There is a lot that goes into this consultation and discussion with my patients.
If you may be happy with a lift and are not sure a breast implant is for you then I would start with that operation first. If you feel like you want to add an implant later you will have more options at your second surgery, and have a lower risk of complication and revision.An implant may still be a good choice for you depending on your goals. Having both surgeries in one operation can be done successfully and safely so long as you understand the limitations in terms of safe implant selection, and accept a slightly higher complication profile. A board certified plastic surgeon will help guide you through this. Good luck!