To lift or not to lift? (photo)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s tough to say based on this photo but you may be able to avoid a breast lift.

Although a side pic would be helpful, it does look like your nipples are located below your breast fold. For this reason, a lift would be recommended. The implants are centred behind your nipples, therefore without a lift your implants would sit rather low on your chest.

Hello, thank you for your question. Its difficult to tell based off of photos. An in person consultation with your plastic surgeon should be considered to properly assess . I would try and bring in wish pics of what you want to look like. Feel free to check out our webpage for more about information about breast lifts.

I recommend an in person evaluation with a plastic surgeon to be measured and discuss your goals. 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

Thank you for your question. The best option depends on your expectations for the outcome. BA alone will not elevate the nipples, but rather it will fill out your breasts with the nipples in their current position. BL will lift the nipples but there are additional permanent scars and risks associated with BA + BL combined. If you consult with an experienced plastic surgeon they will be able to explain in more detail the risks, benefits and healing time associated with BA, BL, and combined BA + BL.

The technique I recommend is a 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.

Good afternoon,
With the proper implant selection I think you can wait and avoid a lift- you can always do it later!

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. Unfortunately with the limited view it is difficult to offer definite advice and I would seek in-person consultations for the best advice based on your goals.

Dear Easygoing65075,
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

Your one photo with your arms raised does not give a clear view to determine if a lift is needed. Please submit a full view with no nipple coverings from the front and side profile with your arms at your sides, or go in for a consultation.