Is an implant enough or will I need a breast lift to bring my nipples up higher? (photo)

Question

How can you tell if a lift is necessary or if just a large implant will fill the breast enough to lift the nipple higher on its own?

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello !

Based on your picture, a lift will be necessary in order to achieve a good outcome. Implants only could make the sagging worse.

An “in person” consultation is of course necessary.

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

George Volpe, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon for it to be a tough decision between implants only or implants with breast lifting. Your surgeon will take into account the relationship of the nipple to the crease under your breast. Often, if the nipple is lower than the crease when you are standing, would be a candidate for lifting with or without an implant. The distance from the nipple to the crease may influence this also. If it is a short distance, augmentation may be suitable. It should be noted that implants alone only elevate your breasts slightly. For sure they increase superior fullness but you should have a good honest discussion with your surgeon as to where he or she would expect the implant to sit and the nipple location relative to the implants.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Graceful281874,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! You absolutely need a breast lift to get that nipple higher. If you go with a large implant to try and raise the nipple a little, you will just end up with large, droopy breasts. Please be sure to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. We know by experience what an implant will do to the breast size and that is it enlarges it. It can fill in the area of volume loss and lift it a bit but the remainder of the breast tissue on the bottom will not get lifted.Speak to you plastic surgeon about this concern. See your options.

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

It depends on how large you are willing to go. You would need a fairly large implant in order to give you enough volume to lift the areolas. You may be better off doing a smaller implant along with a lift.I reccomend an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A side photo would confirm this but it looks like your nipples are located below your breast fold, which would make a lift suitable for you. This will lift your nipples and shape your breasts to make them perkier.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. 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, if interested. 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

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Judging by your photos, you would need a lift in addition to implants. Implants do not provide a lift and do not bring the nipple/areola up to a higher position. Breast implants will give you the added volume and fill out the skin envelope. The breast lift will reposition the nipple/areola to a higher position as well as the reposition of the breast mound that you have.

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

Is an implant enough or will I need a breast lift to bring my nipples up higher? (photo)

Answers (20)

More Breast Implants Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (20)

More Breast Implants Questions

Can I get a refund for snoopy boob? (Photo)

What are the chances of breast implant illness?

If I had a breast reduction with 400g removed & want old breast size back, can I get 400cc implants?

I'm looking to go as large as I can, can I get implants without a lift? (Photos)

If I choose an implant that has a greater width that my BWD, will that be wide enough to cover my frame? (Photo)

Would Mentor classic smooth be much more likely to rippling than Mentor Xtra smooth?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS