I have 325cc moderate plus profile - Do I need a lift? (photos)

Question

I was told by one of the plastic surgeon that I would need a lift with implants exchange. I have 325 cc mod plus profile and after breastfeeding two babies my breasts lost the "fullness." I was hoping to stay away from the lift.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Nobody HAS to have lift. If you’re happy with your breasts as they are do t get a lift. At least not for a while. But if you don’t like them because if sagging then look into having a lift.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @yeeks thank you for your question and showing your pictures. Yes, there is a significant drop due to the emptiness in the upper part of the breast. You can consider several factors among others the time you have been with the prosthesis (they should be changed every 10 years) and the different alternatives of location to preserve the result for a longer time, I link a video about prosthesis location to shed more light. For more information and recommendations is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Your photos suggest that the appearance of your breasts would be noticeably improved with a lift. Larger implants would give you greater volume but not adequately improve the shape of your breasts.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You would benefit from a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. If you are satisfied with your volume then you do not need to change the implants.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for providing photographs. It does appear that you have some skin and natural breast tissue hanging off of your implant. You will need in person consultation to know for certain whether you are a lift candidate or not at this time or whether an implant exchange to a larger implant will fill out your skin envelope, thus avoiding a lift.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need a lift. Done by an expert, your scars will likely not be an issue and the results will be incomparable to any without a lift; you will have attractive breasts.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear yeeks,
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

Adam Gilmour, MBChB, MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Hi, thanks for the question. Obviously you would need to have a detailed consult and examination by a fully registered Plastic Surgeon but yes looking at your images you would benefit from a mastopexy (uplift). Over time and with changes (including ageing, pregnancy, breast feeding, weight loss) the breast tissue (and nipple) will naturally drop down as the supporting ligaments keeping it up weaken. Your implants which are most likely under the muscle have stayed high (likely in the appropriate position as the muscle helps to keep them up) but your breast has slid down over them and now sits below the natural crease. A mastopexy would be required to bring the breast tissue and nipple back to the appropriate position and reorientate/remove the loose skin. It can also help to shrink the areola diameter which is often enlarged after pregnancy. Hope that helps. Best wishes with any consults or surgery.

Michael Ablavsky, MD · Answer

It's important to acknowledge that every patient's expectations and goals are different. No one necessarily "needs a lift" but certain principles can navigate your decision making. It's been suggested that on an aesthetic appearing breast the nipple should be roughly in the center or on the most projecting part of the implant. If the nipple is below the most projecting part of the breast or is "ptotic" and sagging below the center then one option can be a breast lift. Certainly important to discuss options with a plastic surgeon during your consultation and physical examination.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

You would look remarkably better adding a lift to your exchange   Your breasts are hanging slightly over your implants.  
A periareolar (around the nipple) lift will round the areolas, raise their height and round the breasts as well.