Do I need a lift on one side or can I even out my breasts with implants only? (Photo)

Question

I want to know if I can even out my breasts with implants only? I’d prefer to not do a donut lift on the one side, and I’m not going for perfect symmetry.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

All breasts are uneven right to left before and after any surgery.

Your best symmetry would be with a formal lift on the larger side.

Since you are comfortable with natural anatomy asymmetry, you can do only implants, probably different sizes on each side for better symmetry.

Remember they will nebr be identical, especially without bra or clothing.

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

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I think you can avoid a lift for now if you are okay and willing to accept some asymmetry. If you want perfection, you should commit to the lift on the larger, droopier side. Best of luck!

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Yes, it may be possible to improve your breast symmetry with implants alone, particularly if the difference between your breasts is relatively mild and you are comfortable with some residual asymmetry.
I would consider a tissue-preserving augmentation technique such as Preservé, selecting the implant dimensions and volumes individually for each breast. In some cases, using different implant sizes or profiles can improve the balance between the two breasts without requiring a lift.
I would not automatically recommend a donut lift, especially if your nipple position is acceptable to you. A periareolar lift can introduce additional scarring and may alter the shape or diameter of the areola.
However, implants can improve volume and projection differences more effectively than significant nipple-position asymmetry. The final decision depends on your breast footprint, nipple position, degree of ptosis, and existing tissue distribution. If these are favorable, augmentation alone may provide a very satisfactory improvement without additional lift scars.

Joseph A. Racanelli, DO · Answer

Based on your photos, I do not believe that a donut lift is necessarily required to achieve a nice result. You do have some natural asymmetry, including differences in the amount of skin and the definition and position of the inframammary folds.
In a patient like you, using different implant sizes and/or profiles can help improve the overall balance between the breasts without performing a lift. I would consider Mentor MemoryGel BOOST implants, which provide increased projection and upper pole fullness and may help create a more balanced appearance in your case.
It is important to understand that implants can improve asymmetry, but they cannot create perfect symmetry, particularly when there are pre-existing differences in the breast tissue, skin envelope, and inframammary folds. Since you are already comfortable with some degree of natural asymmetry, I think an implant-only approach could potentially give you a very nice result.
An in-person examination and measurements would ultimately be necessary to determine the appropriate implant selection for each breast.

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

An implant can also be placed during the same procedure, allowing us to address both the asymmetry and your desired breast volume in a single operation.
The areola can also be resized or repositioned if there is a difference in size or position between the two sides.

Since you are not looking for perfect symmetry, the goal would be to achieve a more balanced and harmonious appearance while avoiding an unnecessary augmentation on the other side.

I would prefer to examine you in person to assess the degree of asymmetry, skin laxity, breast position, and areolar differences. Based on these findings, we can determine whether unilateral breast augmentation with an implant would be sufficient or whether any additional adjustment would provide a better result.

Using different-sized implants for each breast could also be an option.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

If your nipples are located at or above your breast fold, you may only need implants to improve symmetry. A lift would not be needed. Implants of different sizes can be used.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

I would recommend having breast augmentation first. Breasts will always have subtle differences side by side. You have a little more skin on the right. A breast lift on the right would accomplish minimal work and leave you with asymmetrical scarring. Add volume with an implant size that you love and assess aesthetics months after the procedure. If you desire more symmetry at that point, it would then be a good time to correct skin differences.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear elle5683,

my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Hello!

My recommendation would be just the breast augmentation without lift with obviously different sizes of implants depending on your body  proportions after due clinical examination. We routinely encounter and treat asymmetric breasts at our Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India.
Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Sameer Karkhanis,
Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photo. Your nipples are at approximately the same level, so there is no need for a lift, and you only have a volume discrepancy between your breasts. An asymmetric augmentation will help you achieve improved symmetry. At surgery, your larger breast will be augmented with the implant size you choose, then a temporary saline sizer will be used on your smaller breast. The sizer is inserted and gradually inflated until your breast volumes match as close as possible. An implant with the volume that closely matches the saline sizer volume will be inserted. Best wishes.

Do I need a lift on one side or can I even out my breasts with implants only? (Photo)

Answers (19)

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