My breast are extremely deflated and sagging, can I avoid a breast lift? (Photos)

Question

I breastfed for four years so my breast are extremely deflated and sagging. I really don't want the scars that come with a regular lift. I would rather have a little sag than the scars. Is there anything that I could do to avoid a lift?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @drea070 thank you for your question. The answer depends on the results you want to achieve. Your surgical plan should include a breast lift that reconfigures the breast tissue and improves the position of the nipple with an inverted J-shaped scar. This is the smallest scar that can be created in this procedure. For more information and recommendations, it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your breasts after four years of breastfeeding. You will get suboptimal results if you do not want the scars from a breast lift. I assume you do not want the scars and are willing to settle for suboptimal results. I would suggest breast augmentation. It is possible that the augmentation gives you the fullness you want and a partial breast lift; however, my opinion is that your best results would be with a breast implant to be simultaneously performed with a breast lift. Therefore if you don't want the scars from a breast lift, proceed with the breast augmentation and see what your results look like. I hope this helps answer your question regarding what to do with your breasts and not wanting breast lift scars. 
If you have any more questions regarding the breast lift or mastopexy, capsular contracture, or breast implants in general, please contact my office.  Since your breast surgery is somewhat complex for an average plastic surgeon, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of breast lifts. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 breast lifts.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Good luck! Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s hard to tell from photos alone, but you may be able to avoid a lift and proceed with breast implants alone. Discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon.

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. They then get to choose what looks right for them. 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

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

I would recommend breast implants to start and then if the skin is still droopy a breast lift can be considered.  The size of the implant may fill up the breast completely.  Best Wishes!!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Many women do not like lifts because of the vertical scars associated with traditional techniques. For that reason, an alternative was developed called The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape you 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.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

With breast volume loss after breastfeeding, the skin envelope is too deflated to avoid having to do a lift for a good shape. Breast implants will help restore the volume, and potentially minimize the scars but won't look right if the breasts are still saggy.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear drea070,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You aren’t so saggy that a lift is absolutely necessary but a lift is preferred. Look into the lollipop type lift. The scars are smaller and the results are excellent in someone like you

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You can avoid surgery altogether, or just choose to have implants placed in front of the muscle. This will give you larger and still sagging breasts. You will have your best results with a lift and augmentation. But truly, it is what you want to do.  In a bra, no one will know that you are sagging.

My breast are extremely deflated and sagging, can I avoid a breast lift? (Photos)

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