Do I need a lift or can I just do 525cc implant with areola reduction? (Photo)

Thank you for your inquiry! You are in that space of being able to choose size you are going for a 525cc implant. That should give you enough volume to lift the breast. We would love to meet with your to discuss your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon!

The decision or not to perform a lift is not up to the patient nor is it up to the surgeon. Specific breast measurements have been published with excellent data that can help guide us in making this decision. The breast measurements determine if a lift is needed or not to achieve the ideal breast for each patient. Based on these images, it appears that you have large nipple-areola complexes and excess tissue in a vertical and horizontal dimension (skin/breast tissue). This would be best addressed with an anchor-scar pattern type mastopexy. You can place an implant at the time of this breast lift to help increase breast volume and upper pole fullness. I would recommend seeing a highly qualified American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon; ideally, this surgeon also has completed an Aesthetic Society accredited aesthetic fellowship. You can determine if your surgeon is ABPS certified by Googling..."is my plastic surgeon certified?"

Dear Versatile751342,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question! I would strongly recommend a vertical mastopexy to reduce the size of the areola and get your nipple above the fold. I do think it's low. I might suggest seeking another opinion. Good luck!

Your nipples are located at and below your breast fold. That means your implants, because they need to be centred behind the nipples, may sit a little low on your chest. For this reason a breast lift would be recommended.

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

The areolar reduction will neither substantially reduce your areolar diameter nor will it have much effect on the breast mound shape or position. Surgeons might tell you that it'll be great but it won't be (they want you to sign on the dotted line really badly). You need a true breast lift; one that does the job well, leaving you with optimal nipple areolar complex position on the mound, much smaller areolar diameter, a beautiful mound shape, and fine scars that will be inconspicuous. Go to an expert and you'll have the sexiest breasts, even with the fine scars.

Hello,Based on your photographs, you have mild breast ptosis. I would recommend a circum-areolar ( Benelli) breast lift. That procedure will reduce the size of your areolae and at the same time provide a modest elevation of your nipple areolar complexes. The scar is limited to the outer aspect of the areola and usually heals quite well. Good luck.

525 cc implants weigh more than 1 lb. each. Your breasts are already low on the chest wall and that means the implants will have to be placed low and the inframammary fold will have to be released. Once the inframammary fold is released, the breasts will tend to migrate even further down laterally and inferiorly. In a year or two, you will need a revision because the operation will have failed. I recommend a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired. The areolas can be reduced to the size you desire.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

In my opinion the options are:1.) Sub glandular augmentation (above the muscle) only: it has the advantage of no scarring, less cost but will leave your breasts asymmetric and your areolas will remain large. Also capsular contracture rate and future laxity will be higher and you may feel the edges of the implants.2.) Lift & areolar reduction/submuscular augmentation (under muscle): it gives opportunity for better symmetry areolar reduction, better upper pole fullness, with lower capsular contracture rate. However, you have to accept the lift scars and the higher cost of the operation.