How to Fix Loose Skin without a Second Breast Lift? (Photos)

Question

I had a breast lift about a year ago and sadly I have ended up with some loose skin on the upper pole area of my breasts down to my nipple. Is there a way of fixing this without needing a full breast lift/reduction surgery again? Is my surgeon able to just tighten up the skin around my breasts by making a vertical incision from my nipple down, much like the incision I had done with my breast lift? Or would he have to cut around my nipples as well in order to make this work? What do you advise is the best way to tighten up my skin around my breasts? Thank you

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation.  For the best result you will likely need a revision which sometimes includes incisions around the areola.  I've included a video on this topic that I hope you find helpful.

Julian Liew, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. It’s not uncommon to see some return of upper pole looseness or skin laxity after a breast lift, especially if the skin had limited elasticity to begin with.One effective option that avoids a full second lift is autologous fat grafting&mdash;using your own fat (typically harvested from areas like the abdomen or thighs) to restore volume in the upper pole. This can help inflate the loose skin, soften the appearance of stretch marks, and restore a more youthful contour&mdash;without the need for implants or extensive incisions. It’s a natural, well-tolerated method that works particularly well when the issue is volume loss rather than significant sagging.If there is some minor skin excess&mdash;particularly in the vertical scar line&mdash;a limited skin excision through a vertical incision may help fine-tune the shape. In some cases, a periareolar incision (around the nipple) might be needed if there’s looseness involving the areola or nipple position.Ultimately, the best approach depends on whether the issue is primarily volume loss, skin laxity, or both. A detailed assessment will help tailor the right solution&mdash;whether it’s fat grafting alone, minor skin tightening, or a combination of techniques.I’d recommend a follow-up with your surgeon, or feel free to come in for a second opinion.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Coocoochichi,

breast revision surgery is the most difficult plastic surgery procedure performed. Botched breast surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of breasts to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery.
Many patients come in to correct poor outcomes from their initial surgeries. The most common problems are due to implant malposition, bottoming out of the implant, poor scarring, and incorrect implant size.
While the type of revision required will depend on the result of the previous surgery and the desired result of the patient, some revisions involve extensive pocket repair that may or may not need specialized external bras.
If you are considering breast surgery revision, you should speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. Also, you have to make sure that your surgeon understands your breast augmentation goals.

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

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Coocoochichi, thanks for sharing your pictures and concerns, after evaluate your case best option to fix this is a surgical approach, there are many procedures promissing to help with the skin laxity but being honest resuls are under the expectations and theydont last longer. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia

How to Fix Loose Skin without a Second Breast Lift? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: My Recomendation

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

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How to Fix Loose Skin without a Second Breast Lift? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: My Recomendation

Answer: My Recomendation

Browse related questions

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.