Will I need a lift AND implants? (Photos)

The technique I recommend is explantation and lift using The Bellesoma Method. The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated 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 if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Based on your photos and history, a lift would definitely help restore a perkier, more youthful shape—especially after pregnancy and breastfeeding. The key decision is whether or not you’d like to include implants as part of your revision.

If you choose not to have implants, a lift alone can still give you a nice improvement in shape, but your breasts will be significantly smaller, and you'll likely notice a loss of fullness in the upper part of your breasts. Some patients in this situation choose to add fat grafting to restore a bit of volume naturally, though the amount is more limited than with implants.

If you do decide to keep or replace implants, you’ll have more control over size and shape—whether you want to stay the same size, go smaller, or go larger. Implants will also enhance the overall contour and create a fuller look, especially in the upper portion of the breasts. They also tend to respond well to bra support, giving you a lifted, rounded appearance even with minimal push-up.

In summary: You will benefit from a lift. The main choice is whether or not to include implants. Implants give you more shape, especially in the upper breast, while a lift alone offers a smaller, more natural outcome.

– Dr. B

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