Am I Candidate for Breast Lift Only? Im a 34D/DD. (photo)

Question

I had a child in 2012. I went from 100 lbs to 147 lbs at the peak of pregnancy, then went back down to 110. Anyways, I used to be a low B cup and now Im 34D/DD and they are a burden on me. (back pains, cant exercise normally etc etc ) Anyways, I dont know if I need or want breast implants. I want to be like a C cup, but if I do a breast lift, i feel like with all that excess skin off, it might end up being a C...but i want to make sure I have "upper pole fullness"(right is bigger than left)

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! It is normal for the breast to lose its firmness and perkiness over time, which is accentuated with age, pregnancy/breast feeding, weight gain/loss, and gravity. This ultimately results in ptosis, or sagging, of the breast with a “deflated” appearance. Women often seek the mastopexy, or breast lift, procedure to regain the previous youthful appearance of her breasts and desire that uplifted and perky appearance of her breasts. Women report increased confidence, self-esteem, and femininity once she achieves this desired shape and fullness. Breast lifts may or may not be performed with implants – the implant would add increased size but also greater fullness in the upper pole of the breasts which creates more cleavage. The implant itself will add these things - given your photos, a breast lift alone is a reasonable decision, especially if you are content with your current size. It is also common for the areola to enlarge and stretch during these changes. The lift will also serve to raise the nipple areolar complex to its appropriate position above the breast crease and at the most projecting portion. In addition the areola size will be decreased, which is often desired by the woman. The decision for a breast lift will be up to you...depending on how much you are bothered about the shape as well as your concerns. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon well-versed in breast surgery and s/he will assist you in deciding if a mastopexy will be the right decision for you.  Thank you for your question! Hope that this helps. Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

You may be an excellent candidate for breast lifting surgery.  Patients undergoing breast surgery should do enough homework to fully understand the surgical options, pro/cons of each option, and the potential risk/complications associated with each option.  This education will allow patients to make an informed decision about the best option for them and/or determine the best timing ( including considerations of life circumstances…) to undergo the surgical procedure ( if at all).Breast lifting involves some degree of tightening and lifting of the breast skin envelope and tissue.  In order to tighten the skin envelope, skin excision is necessary;  this results in the presence of scars. Sometimes, the presence of scars is a “dealbreaker”;  patients would prefer to leave their breasts unchanged than to have scars. At other times, patients  prefer to have the improvement in breast position, shape, and (possibly) size  and are willing to accept the trade-off of scars.I hope the attached link is helpful to you.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Very little tissue need to be removed in a breast lift--about a tablespoon per side (15 cc). If you raise your hands above your head, you are simulating a lift. The breast may appear smaller, but obviously nothing has been removed. If that size is OK you don't need more volume per se. However, if you want upper pole fullness, implants and a lift are probably best. 

	Thanks for your question, all the best.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	There are few things that can be discussed with regards to breast lift versus augmentation and lift, however, your desire for upper pole fullness will require an implant (small one if volume is not the issue) since a breast lift alone will not give you the upper pole fullness that you desire.  The best result will be an implant with a lift.  The lift the you will need is a circumvertical or lollipop lift.

	All the best,

	Dr Remus Repta

Lavinia K. Chong, MD · Answer

Hi NYP: You are to be congratulated for loosing your baby fat, however pregnancy has reshaped your breasts, unfavorably.  The persistence of "upper pole fullness" is often elusive for a variety of reasons.  If the composition of your breasts have become more fatty than glandular, settling will invariably occur sooner rather than later.  Weight fluctuations and pregnancies cause further inferior shifting.  So if you haven't completed your family, you may want to consider a small reduction/lift first.  Assess the results and if you haven't accomplished your aesthetic ideals, then consider a small implant.  By staging the lift first, the volume, nipple position and skin envelope will be equivalent and placement of an implant considerably easier.  Good luck.

Am I Candidate for Breast Lift Only? Im a 34D/DD. (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Upper pole fullness is the key to your answer

Answer: Upper pole fullness is the key to your answer

Answer: Upper pole fullness is more reliably maintained with a small implant

Answer: Upper pole fullness is more reliably maintained with a small implant

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

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Am I Candidate for Breast Lift Only? Im a 34D/DD. (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Upper pole fullness is the key to your answer

Answer: Upper pole fullness is the key to your answer

Answer: Upper pole fullness is more reliably maintained with a small implant

Answer: Upper pole fullness is more reliably maintained with a small implant

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.