Will a breast augmentation and periareolar lift help me meet my goals? (photos)

Question

I am currently a 34 DDD but I plan to lose 20 pounds and I expect to lose about a cup size as it is my original weight and body. I would like large implants to achieve a slender and busty look. I prefer my nipples not to be perfectly centered and only be lifted slightly. I know surgeons don’t prefer the benelli lift but would it help me even a little? Is a large implant + areola lift possible for me?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Nice4415, thank you for your question and for showing your picture. An on-site or virtual consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is the best way to determine an appropriate intervention by assessing the individual characteristics of the patient breasts and goal look. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

Marguerite E. Aitken, MD, FACS · Answer

The majority of your breast is below your natural fold and touching your upper abdomen. An implant that lives under your muscle will only exaggerate the "waterfall" of breast tissue. I would recommend an implant, most likely a soft touch one, and then bilateral mastopexy to have your nipple/areolar complex at the equator of the implant.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

With the amount of droop your breast currently has and your project of losing more volume, your best option will be an implant with a more substantial lift.

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Although the Benelli or periareolar lift won't fully correct your shape, it sounds like that would be acceptable, and actually your desired look.  So as long as you connect with a surgeon that understands your goals, I think this is a reasonable approach.  Best of luck!

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  To appropriately discuss implant size and choice as well as breast lift options, you really need an in person evaluation by a plastic surgeon with good experience with breast augmentation mastopexy (breast lift).  Opinions and preferences will vary somewhat from one surgeon to another surgeon.  Personally I start with the base width of the patient as the starting point for the footprint of the future implant.  Tissue characteristics, and desired postoperative size, and patient anatomy all factor in to the proper selection of implant volume as well as profile.  
As far as the lift, I would not recommend trying to do it with just a periareolar lift.  Based on the pictures I would guess you need a vertical mastopexy and possibly a horizontal component as well.
I go over all of that all in detail with my patients at the time of their consultation.
I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon with good experience in this area.  He or she can thoroughly review the options with you so that you can make a good and well-informed mutual decision.
Good luck and take care, Dr. Howell

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The technique I recommend is a lift using 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.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Not only will a benelli lift not help, it will make things worse: wide scarring around the areola, expanded and irregularly shaped areola, pleating around the areola, flattening of the breast mound, persistent breast sagging, and poor nipple position on the mound. What's worse, when it comes time to fix these problems, they may not be completely correctable. Like many, you are afraid that scars from a formal breast lift will be unattractive, but you don't realize is that for people like you, a donut lift will leave you with far worse scars and breast shape that will leave your breasts looking worse. Choosing a large implant solves little and leads most patients to getting a revision surgery for smaller implants. Either do it right or don't do anything; you'll save yourself time and money.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Based on the level of tissue descent seen in your breasts you would benefit form a more formal lift such as the vertical or wise pattern. Hope this helps.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

That is absolutely the wrong procedure so I would not perform it. But there are plenty of other surgeons who would. Bear in mind that periareolar lift plus large implants lead to a large areola and not much lift.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Nice4415,
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. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Will a breast augmentation and periareolar lift help me meet my goals? (photos)

Answers (16)

More Breast Implants Questions

8 months post-op- Do I have capsular contracture? (photo)

How many implants do you order for surgery?

I have a weird bump on my breast incision that feels uncomfortable, what could this be? (photos)

How do I make sure the top of breast implants are placed at or above the armpit level? Is there a term for this? (photos)

Can I get breast implants with fibroadenoma or should I have them removed?

Breast have been so tender - Do my implants need to be replaced? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS