Do I absolutely need a lift? Is it possible to get a gummy bear implant to regain some volume? (Photos)

If you just put implants in you will get a very poor result. If you don’t want a lift I recommend doing nothing at all

Hello, thank you for your question. It really depends on your expectations. You can put in an implant for volume but you will still have a lot of your natural breast tissue hanging below. Speak to your plastic surgeon about your options. Be sure to bring in lots of wish pics. Feel free to check out our before and after gallery.

Based on your photos you would benefit from the lift to correct the nipple position and sagging. If you have augmentation alone it may result in an unwanted shape. I encourage you to have consultations with a few board certified plastic surgeons near you for in person evaluations.

Hello and thank you for your question! Based on your photos, you have grade 2 ptosis, meaning the nipple/areola has descended to the lower part of the breast, beneath your breast folds but is not yet "pointing at the floor". This, along with your history of weight loss and the quality of your skin (stretch marks on photos) would lead most surgeons to recommend a breast lift for the best results. The implant will add not only volume but fullness to the upper and inner parts of the breasts, but will not change the position of the nipple/areola and it wont raise and reshape the breast tissue like a breast lift would. Placing an implant alone would likely lead to a "waterfall" appearance to the breasts (where the implant volume stays higher as the breast gland tissue continues to descend lower). As always, I recommend an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to fully address all of your questions and concerns!

Hi manders6978, an implant placed above the muscle may give you volume and fill your soft tissue envelope some, however you will look saggier and have a higher chance of the breast pocket capsules getting stiff. An implant below the muscle with high projection may counter some of your sagging and has a higher chance that the capsules will remain soft, however your breasts may not stay centered and then create a “waterfall deformity”. Doing a lift with an implant is a good way to center the nipple/areola and remove the extra skin/soft tissue that is creating the sagging look, and revolumize the breasts. Rarely, I have had a patient do an implant but 100% return within months to have the lift—two operations/anesthetics/recoveries can be avoided if you do it together. Best of luck with your decision-Dr. Doolabh

The short answer is....no, you cannot just get an implant to replace lost volume. An implant comes in a certain size, shape, dimensions, etc. but it is a rounded (or shaped) implant and is not customized for each person's need. So unless you choose a large enough implant to fill the available skin (which would be much too big in your case), then you are going to need a lift in addition to the implant. And given your history of weight loss and the stretching of the skin in the photos, I would suggest that you do those in two stages.
Good luck!
Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL