Lift or no lift? Advice greatly appreciated, I'm really confused and stuck (Photo)

I would recommend no lift. As long as you don't use too large of an implant, your nipples will end in a very natural and normal position without the lift. Also, without the lift, you can avoid unnecessary scars. Best of luck!

Hello, thank you for sharing your photos. I have evaluated them and I can confidently say that you don’t need any lifting surgery. You don’t have any sagging, and your skin looks good, so augmentation alone will work perfectly.Regarding implant shape, in my opinion, round implants would suit you better, since you already have a natural tear-drop–shaped breast. By adding equal volume to both the upper and lower parts, the final result will still be a tear-drop shape.I hope this helps you.

Dear neurospicy91,

determining whether you need simply a breast augmentation versus a breast lift can be somewhat complicated. It depends on a number of factors including skin laxity and current nipple position. Generally speaking, if the nipples are lower than the inframammary line the patient will most likely need a breast lift. If the nipples are at or above the inframammary line we can generally get by with just a breast augmentation depending on the size of the implant the patient wants. I often still using implant when I perform a breast lift because it provides more upper breast fullness after the lift. To be sure a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine what the patient actually needs.

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

An in person evaluation is best but based on the photos the nipple is above the fold which typically indicates that no lift is needed. You can consider an implant alone as long as you are okay with the nipple position not being raised higher than it currently is. If you are wanting to avoid a scar you can proceed with augmentation alone and return to adjust the shape later if you're unhappy with the result. Implants alone will essentially give you the look you have now only with more volume.

A straightforward and simple approach may be to have breast augmentation and consider a lift at some future point. You may be quite satisfied with just the augmentation and avoiding further surgery. From your photographs, I am not sure you are even a good candidate for a lift. I usually recommend round implants. Round implants will often settle into a teardrop shape depending on the surgeon's technique and choice of round implant.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Mildly Sagging Breasts: If your breasts are mildly droopy, a saline or silicone gel implant placed behind the pectoral muscle might help create the illusion of perkiness. That’s because as the implant fills out the top of the breast, it also fills out the bottom, making it look as if the nipple has moved higher. It hasn’t. You can always get a lift later if you feel you are not perky enough when fully settled and healed. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA