Will I need a lift AND implants? (Photos)

I would not use implants along with the lift. If anything you may need a slight reduction. Some surgeons use implants to achieve upper pole fullness but I would not do that in your situation

Hi Savvy. Great question. It really depends on how much native breast tissue you have and what your size goals are. What I would suggest to a patient in your situation is to consider implant deflation prior to surgery. This is a procedure we can do in the office ( a few weeks to a few months prior to surgery) with little to no pain or downtime and it would give you an idea of how much tissue we would have to work with during the lift. Then we can determine your need for a mastopexy with implant exchange or just a implant removal. I highly recommond that you seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in surgery of the breast to help you reach your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!

Thanks for your question. From your pictures, it seems like you're a good candidate for a breast lift or a breast implant exchange with a lift. I recommend scheduling a consult for a proper evaluation. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.

Dear Savvy111996,

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

If you’d like to have perkier breasts, implants wouldn’t be necessary. A breast lift alone would be sufficient.

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

Thanks for your question! It really depends on what your goals are. Are you looking to change the size or shape of the implant? If not, with 6-year-old saline implants, you may be able to avoid the implant portion. Please seek out a breast specialist in you area. Good luck!

You can keep your current implants and lift the breast around them to restore perkiness after pregnancy changes.

If you want more upper fullness, then you can get larger implants with the lift.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.