Will I need a lift or can my 'deflated' breasts be filled out with implants? (photos)

This is a frequently asked question. An implant alone or an implant with a lift will produce very different results. There are benefits and trade-offs of both options. A very large implant would be necessary if no lift was performed. That would not produce the best long term cosmetic result.Following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do based on two dimensional photos without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure may not be in your best interest. I would suggest that you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California

You do have deflated breasts with the nipple/areolar complexes below your breast crease. You will need a lift (vertical or lollipop incisions) to remove the excess saggy skin and make your areolae smaller. I would suggest cohesive silicone gel implants in a submuscular pocket due to the tissue thinness. The choice of implants is based on your chest wall and breast dimensions, but I would caution you in choosing large implants. You do not have the tissues to support them! See a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation/evaluation to decide what would be your best long term choice. Good luck.

This is a great question and one that I think many patients often wonder.  It is always best to have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon evaluate you in person and give you some options.  My guess would be that there is more than one way to get a nice result in you case, and options would include a breast augmentation only, breast augmentation with a perareolar lift (incision around the areola only, and we often narrow a widened areola as part of the procedure) or a breast augmentation and full breast lift.  One other option to consider:  for patients who are right on the border as to whether or not an implant would be required or helpful, I will often offer to stage the procedure:  perform the breast augmentation first and then wait at least a few weeks or longer to see how things settle and if the patient is satisfied.  If you are, then you have saved yourself the cost and incisions of a lift, but if not, you can always come back and have the lift done anytime in the future.Lots of options, but your question is an excellent one and you do have choices when it comes to getting a nice result!