Larger Implants instead of lift possible? (photo)

Question

Can I get away with larger implants instead of a lift? Suggested 500cc over the muscle or dual plane.. Would I end up with the ball in the sock look? I am happy with a little sagging.....but how much will I actually sag?

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

While it's possible that in the short term, the larger implants will fill up the loose skin, typically that result doesn't hold up well long-term.  The extra implant weight, combined with breast tissues that have already "let you down once before", tends to stretch out the tissue as time goes by ("rock in a sock").  Even if you get the larger implants now, you may well require a mastopexy in your future. I'd recommend picking an implant size that you like and can live with long-term and then tailoring the breast skin around it, rather than max-ing out on the implant size.

Christopher J. Morea, MD · Answer

Your question is one I hear often in my practice.  Many women want to avoid having a breast lift but want beautiful breasts.  The answer is always the same.  Implants will fill the breast but do not lift the breast. My advice would be to find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has performed numerous of breast augmentations and lifts.  Ask to see as many before and after photos as possible of patients similar to you in height, weight and degree of ptosis (droop).  After reviewing the photos, make an informed decision with your surgeon.Best of luck,

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

You do not necessarily need a breast lift if you do not mind "a little sagging". But putting in bigger implants to try and avoid a lift is never a good idea, in my opinion. The reason that your breast skin envelope is "sagging" is because it is relatively weak. Using an oversized implant will almost certainly result in the "ball in the sock" look that you have described, especially if you have the implant placed in the subglandular position. If you really just want some added volume in the bottom portion of your breasts, a small implant would be OK. But if you want any upper pole volume, you need to have a breast lift and an implant appropriate for your chest width.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture. Your question is a common (and good) one and hopefully this response will be helpful to other patients as well. I would not suggest utilizing “larger” breast implants with the hope of avoiding breast lifting surgery. Based on the position of your breasts on your chest wall and loss of skin elasticity, it is likely that the use of larger  breast implants will simply result in relatively large/low breasts; a result  that most women would find unattractive.Of course, ultimately careful in person examination and careful communication of your goals will be necessary to provide you with specific enough advice to be truly helpful. Best wishes.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Larger breast implants without a lift may cause further sagging of your breasts or if they do not drop properly could create a snoopy deformity.  Based on your photographs you would be best served with a breast lift and augmentation.  Please consult a board certified plastic surgeon for consultation and advice in a more proper answer to your question.

Larger Implants instead of lift possible? (photo)

Answers (5)

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