Saggy Breasts: Can I Get Implants Without a Lift? (Photo)

Question

Im 25 and I have 3 kids. I have sagging breast and im planning on getting saline tuba breast implants, High profile.The surgeon I saw said I could get the implants but i would have to get it very large ones. Im small 5ft1 and 106 pounds and a 34 a cup. Is it really possible to get the implants with out the lift? and im ok with getting a large c cup or small d cup? how many cc would i have to get? Is it even possible with out the lift?

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos it does appear that you would benefit from a lift. In general, if your nipple is located at or above the crease below your breast then a lift is typically not needed. In addition to nipple position, measurements are also used to determine when to add a lift. It's important to know the breast implants do not lift the nipple to any significant degree, so you can't escape the lift by using a breast implant. Breast sagging is a spectrum and women with mild/moderate sagging can sometimes go either way. In this situation, I typically recommend breast augmentation as an initial procedure, waiting six months, and then only performing a breast lift if it is truly needed. When considering breast augmentation make sure you find a board certified plastic surgeon who will take the time to answer all of your questions and explain all of your options, so that you can decide which procedures are right for you.

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

A common misconception is that you can lift ptotic breast by going with a larger implant. No one want additional scars on their breasts, however if you need a lift, you need a lift. It just doen't make sense that if your breasts are already sagging placing a large heavy implant will cure that condition over time. Remember gravity is always working against us. As a surgeon who specializes in revisionary breast surgery, I will often see the same scenario over and over again. "My breasts were drooping, my Dr. told me that I don't need a lift, just get bigger implants" 6 months later, "my breasts are much larger than i wanted and they are even more droppy". Be careful of the surgeon who tells you that you should just put in larger implants and you don't need a lift. Many of the TUBA surgeons in this community are NOT plast surgeons, but are "facial" plastic surgeons that do breast surgery, and they have not been proprly trained in doing a skillful lift (mastopexy). Remember, it's your body, do your research.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

If you love your body, and want it to be beautiful, then focus upon results rather than procedures.  The question is, how to best go from what you have to the breasts you want?  Proportionate in size, nicely shaped, natural texture, symmetry between right and left, no visible scars or signs of implant(s), normal sensation, accommodating to your lifestyle.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would save yourself a headache in the future and get breast augmentation and a vertical lift.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Going with large implants in a situation like your is not what I would advise.  They will only cause the breasts to sag even more. You need a lift along with medium size implants. Saline are fine.  Newer lift techniques result in excellent results and very favorable scarring.  I would perform the lollipop lift and place saline implants around 300 cc's under the muscle.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are getting some bad advice in my opinion. You have significant breast ptosis that will require a breast lift to correct. Trying to correct this with an implant alone is wishful thinking, unless your physical exam and measurements are much different than what your photos would suggest. And it really irritates me when I hear that surgeons suggest placing oversized implants to try to induce more of a lift. This is really bad advice. The reason that your skin envelope is "droopy" is because it is thin and weak. It won't effectively hold up a conservative sized implant, but certainly will not do well with a large implant. You will have much better long term results if you use an appropriate sized implant along with a breast lift. There also is little good to be said about the TUBA technique for breast implant placement. I would rethink your options and have another consultation before jumping into a surgical procedure that you may regret.

Lourdes Rodriguez, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thank you for your question and pictures.
As i can see you'll need a breast lift in combination with your implants, you already have ptosis and independent  on the size of the implants with time the skin will have more laxity and the bigger the implantes faster this will happen. You need to discuss the possibility of this happening with your surgeon and he will guide you to what's best for you. Good luck.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and I can't think having a big implant will create an aesthetically pleasing breast.  Throw in the TUBA technique and now it really gets challenging.  You really need a lift and the scars that come with it.  Some doctors claim they can do it with minimal scarring (no vertical scar) and if you choose that path, make sure you know what happens if it doesn't look like what you thought you would get.

Matthew L. Romans, MD, FACS · Answer

You will regret getting implants with no lift. Your nipples/areolas are below the fold of your breasts. Putting implants in without a lift, even large ones, will just give you bigger saggy breasts. You really need to accept that you need a lift. Since it looks like the distance between your nipple and the fold under your breast is short, a vertical lift would most likely be best. This brings skin in from the sides and lengthens that distance so your nipples can be raised up to the center of your breast mound where they belong.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures. There is no doubt in my mind that you will not do well with breast augmentation surgery alone, regardless of the size of the breast implants utilized. Breast lifting will be necessary to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. For some patients the necessity of additional scars associated with breast lifting surgery is a “dealbreaker” ; for these patients it is better to avoid breast surgery altogether.
 On the other hand, many patients (If properly selected and who are doing the operations at the right time of their lives  psychosocially) accept the scars associated with breast augmentation/breast lifting surgery as long as they are happy with the improvement in contour, size, and symmetry. This acceptance of the scars is the essential “trade-off” associated with many of the procedures we do in the field of plastic surgery.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Saggy Breasts: Can I Get Implants Without a Lift? (Photo)

Answers (13)

More Breast Implants Questions

Is a 450cc under the muscle, high profile, silcone right for me?

Normal for a purse string stitch to hurt?

Why do the same size implants look different on different people?

Natural looking Implants for thin and bony flat-chested women (Photo)

Is it possible to achieve upper breast fullness without dramatically increasing breast size?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS