Waterfall deformity - can I get bigger implants or do I need a lift? (photos)

Thank you for your questions regarding implant exchange for a larger size or mastopexy (lift). Congratulations on your baby!

Here are some questions that you would need to ask you surgeon:

What is the distance from your lower breast crease to the nipple on each side? Does the center of your nipple hang below the lower breast crease? How much do your nipples and breasts rise up in relationship to your lower breast crease when you raise your arms above your head?

To know what is right for you, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

Hope this helps!

This is a complex problem. You need a revision breast surgery that would also include a lift. You would also need pocket tightening as that breast implant has bottomed out. I would recommend seeing a board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeon with aesthetic surgery training and experience to tackle this type of problem in a safe and efficient manner. Best of luck!

In general, it is not recommended to increase the size of an implant just to lift the nipple. With a typical waterfall deformity, gravity has caused the breast tissue to descend over the implant while the implant stays in place. While increasing the size of the implant can elevate the nipple, the nipple will only rise about 1-2 cm even when the implant is increased in size a great deal. Your original implants were likely chosen by tissue based planning, meaning they were fit to your breast and chest wall specifically. Increasing the implants a great deal beyond this size could predispose you to other problems such as bottoming out, implant displacement, or an overall unnatural appearance. For these reasons, it is typically recommended to lift the breast tissue to fit around the implant than to increase the size of the implant to lift the nipple. In your case, I would recommend a breast lift rather than increasing the size of the implant.

Thank you for your question

What you are seeing is a bit of skin excess that can be fixed with a breast lift. This will make your areolas smaller and lifted and remove some excess skin and therefore make your breasts more aesthetically pleasing.

Hello,
Thank you for the question and the photos.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, breasts goes through hormonal changes. I would recommend to wait 6-9 months postpartum and re-assess breast shape and appearance then, prior to considering breast revision surgery.
You can also discuss your questions and concerns with your Plastic Surgeon.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thanks for your inquiry, I believe you will need a breast lift to correct vs a larger implant, please discuss your options with your surgeon and best of luck.

There are certain things to consider when planning breast surgery after pregnancy. The first is timing of surgery. You want the breasts to completely recover after pregnancy and breast feeding because if they are still changing, the surgical results are not as predictable. This generally occurs at 6 months after pregnancy or completion of breast feeding, whichever is later. You also want to consider if you will be having more children. Future pregnancy may create sagging of the breasts or waterfall deformity, and each revisional surgery becomes increasingly challenging. The next thing to consider is the surgical plan to best address your concerns. Bigger implants generally are not a good answer. There is more pressure on the breasts and skin, leading to more sagging in the long term. The best plan would be a breast lift when you are done after children.

Dear 9jesst92 thank you for your question. Pregnancy has an effect on the drooping of the breasts. In your situation, I recommend you get a Breast Lift instead of getting bigger implants. If you are planning on getting pregnant again soon, you should postpone the surgery until after you give birth again. Thank you and good luck.

Implant volume and projection don’t really lift the nipple the way you think; it’s similar to the arc of a pendulum swinging to its highest point. It would require s as n impossibly large and projecting device to get your nipples where you want them. Instead, getting a breast lift will allow you to get or keep the size you want and have optimal nipple position. An expert will give you inconspicuous scars.

You would be a good candidate for a breast lift. Getting larger implants will make your situation worse by creating more sagging. The other option is to do nothing because I don’t think your breasts look bad at all