Could my breasts look higher up with more upper pole fullness? Low breast footprint? (Photos)

Question

Hello! 26 year old female considering a breast augmentation (implants or fat transfer) or breast lift or maybe both. I feel like they may just sit too low on my chest wall and am reading not much can be done for this, as it is just my anatomy. I don’t care about increasing the size, just the shape. I would like more upper pole fullness and for them to look higher up on my chest. I hate how low and deflated they look. Is there anything that could be done?

Gary DeCesare, MD · Answer

It's very difficult to give an answer specific to you without examining you in person. Generally speaking, if there is sagging of the nipple and breast below the fold underneath the breast, a breast lift will help to make your breasts appear higher on your chest by lifting the sagging breast tissue. Implants tend to increase the upper pole fullness of the breasts, which might make your breasts appear higher on your chest as well, though for different reasons. However, you are correct that the breast footprint is something individual and somewhat fixed to your anatomy. Therefore, the effects of the interventions described above are limited to the confines of your individual breast footprint. It sounds like you would benefit from a physical exam in person to determine if any of these procedures would address your concerns

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear HappyG12,

my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I do think that a breast lift would get you a nice result. You'd have to be okay being a little bigger with an implant but because you seemingly have fairly dense breast tissue, a lift alone would get you a nice, youthful change. Good luck!

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Because your nipples are located below your breast fold, a breast lift may be suitable. This would reshape your breasts to make them perkier, giving you more fullness in the upper pole. Breast implants aren’t necessary if you’re happy with your current size.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

You can get some more upper pole fullness as well as a higher rounder shape with a lift.  However, you may be disappointed in the amount of upper pole fullness you get unless you put in at least a small implant.  Breast lifts tend not to fill the upper pole unless there is a lot of breast volume to begin with.
With a lift they will look higher and fuller, but you would have to discuss with your plastic surgeon the nuances of how much  upper pole fullness you want and the tradeoff of not having an implant.  You could try on a sizing bra and various size implant sizers.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. You appear to have a grade 2 ptosis. This means that a portion of your lower breast hangs below the level of the fold underneath your breast. You are correct in that the level of the fold underneath your breast cannot be changed, and this determines where your breast sits on your chest. What can be modified is the position of your breast tissue in relation to your fold.  If your breast tissue is hanging below the level of the fold underneath your breast, a breast lift will tighten the skin and push your breast tissue upward, so your breast is positioned more above the fold under your breast. This may initially give some superior fullness to the breast, but due to gravity and tissue relaxation this is not permanent. Permanent superior pole fullness could be obtained with an implant.  As you mentioned that you are not interested in increasing the size, a breast lift will give you a lift and an excellent shape without the cost of an implant and the need for any future operations on that implant.  Just the breast lift may also make you feel that your breasts are slightly larger because the principle of a breast lift is to remove only skin from the breast, and push all the breast tissue upward and wrap that smaller envelope of skin around the breast, which then causes the remaining skin to look more filled out.  Fat grafting to the breast is an option, but I have not found that the results are very reliable nor predictable.  You should have a detailed consultation with a plastic surgeon so you fully understand your options. Best wishes.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

My impression from photos is that your breasts are NOT too low at all.  Your skin surface to breast volume ratio is a bit high (can be naturally inherited, related to weight loss, post-partum state, skin elasticity, other factors) and distribution of breast glandular tissue disproportionately high below the horizontal meridian of your nipples.  This situation can be nicely resolved by a variety of approaches depending on your preferences.

Sibel Atalay, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your concerns so openly. What you’re describing, breasts that feel low on the chest with a lack of upper pole fullness, is something I hear frequently during consultations, and there are reliable options to improve both shape and position.
A breast lift (mastopexy) is the procedure designed to elevate and reshape the breast, repositioning the nipple and restoring projection. This alone can provide a more youthful, balanced appearance without increasing breast size. For patients who desire additional upper pole fullness, a lift can be combined with either a small implant or fat transfer. An implant provides the most predictable and long-lasting fullness, while fat transfer offers a subtle, natural enhancement.
The best approach depends on your individual anatomy and your goals. During a consultation, I would evaluate your breast shape, skin quality, and chest proportions in detail. Together, we would create a surgical plan tailored specifically to you, ensuring the result is natural, proportionate, and aligned with your vision.

John Luck, MD · Answer

Hello,You would be able to achieve upper pole fullness with implants or a fat transfer and or a breast lift. You could always start with a fat transfer to the breasts to see if that gives the look you are hoping to achieve without having the incisions from a standard breast augmentation or lift. Best of luck,Dr. Luck

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

You are correct, you can't simply make your breast "footprint" higher on your chest wall. Some people have taller chests, some have more narrow. A breast lift would pick anatomy up to a slightly higher position on your chest wall, but your nipple areolar complexes are at a good position on your breasts, so a lift may not be your best option. As you are desiring more upper pole fullness, and implant would be your best option. A higher projection implant would help you achieve upper pole fullness but you will be larger as a result. Implant volume will always result in more volume/projection of the breasts.

Could my breasts look higher up with more upper pole fullness? Low breast footprint? (Photos)

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