5'3" and 130 lbs - Do i need a lift? (photo)

Hi, thanks for your question. According to your pictures, I think you have glandular ptozis which can be fixed by breast implants. Your nipples looks at right positions. With implants you may have fuller and perkier breasts. No need to leave unnecessary scars on your breasts

Patient concerns regarding the appearance of their breasts can typically be divided in two pools: volume, ptosis (droop). The procedures to address these issues are as different as the issues themselves. However, these concerns are not mutually exclusive. Many patients, whether they are aware or not, will benefit from both.
There are two factors which can help to answer the question of which surgery will deliver the most satisfying result: mastopexy, augmentation or both. Patients must first consider the position of the NAC (nipple areolar complex i.e. the pigmented portion of the breast) as it relates to the inframammary crease. If the nipples are at or below the level of the crease the patient may benefit from a lift or mastopexy. The breast lift is designed to elevate sagging breasts to a more youthful position. It also helps to reshape and tighten the skin of the breasts. This is typically accomplished via a periareolar (around the nipple) incision with or without a vertical incision.
Mastopexy is an effective way to address sagging breast, however, the changes which accompany weight loss or pregnancy can also decrease volume of the breasts. When a woman wants the volume restored, or increased, a breast augmentation will also be needed in conjunction with mastopexy. Augmentation can help restore the volume loss which is well known to women following children. There are a number of options available to women considering augmentation ranging from size and implant type to access incision.
A breast augmentation alone may also be appropriate if ptosis is mild. If the patient is comfortable with the natural appearance of the breasts but desires them to be larger, a breast augmentation alone is the right procedure. Augmenting significantly ptotic or sagging breasts tends to magnify the problem. In these cases, a mastopexy performed in conjunction with an augmentation is preferred.
Based upon your photos, your nipple position is excellent. You demonstrate mild glandular ptosis/pseudoptosis (nipple position is good with gland droop behind it). It would seem that a lift is unnecessary.
There is a procedure for every problem. To determine which technique is right for you, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon Patient should discuss their concerns with their physicians in order to make an educated decision.

Yes, I would recommend a lift with an implant. You need to see a very experienced American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon. Ideally, this surgeon has also completed a fellowship accredited by The Aesthetic Society.

Thanks for your question! Depending on the size of the implant you choose, I don't think a lift will be necessary. The right implant will reinflate things in a very natural way! Good luck!!

Dear Rosalievera,

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

Just by seeing the pictures and a little bit of the Information you provided, usually only a breast augmentation would suffice, perhaps, with a little bit of a bigger implant to be able to help fill out the breast will help to avoid a lift, but it will ultimately depend on the condition of the skin, which until able to will be able to determine if that makes sense, ultimately what we want to avoid the weight of the implant way down the skin and cause the breast to sag, but again, but looking at the picture, best augmentation would seem to suffice.

Since you have lost a lot of weight, it appears your skin is hanging and you have pseudoptosis. You would benefit from a breast 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.

I would recommend the lollipop type of lift sling with implants. Currently your nipples are too low. Some surgeons will recommend a donut type lift but that usually doesn’t turn out very well

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 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

From the photos provided, it does not appear that you will need a mastopexy or breast lift. Although this determination can more definitively be made after performing an in-person exam. I always recommend consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.