Can I achieve a fuller look without needing a breast lift? 29 y/o (photos)

Dear Inventive962298,
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

Based on your photos, yes it is possible for you to have breast implants without a lift. In person examination would be the best way to determine this with more certainty. There are specialized techniques that can help improve the shape of the breast with just an augmentation in patients who are kind of borderline for needing a lift.

You need a breast lift to get the breast into the correct dimensions to accomodate a potential implant that would provide fullness. Be very cautious of someone trying to place very large implants in instead of trying to select the appropriate size implant that would be performed at the time of your lift. You should see someone who specializes in revisionary breast aesthetic surgery and truly understands breast surgery very well. Best of luck.

Thank you for sharing your pictures. Your body, your goals, and your expectation. A breast lift is recommended but not mandatory; it depends on what you want to see. If you want a bigger breast, breast implants are the way to go. You will have more fullness towards the bottom of the breast. If you want perky breasts, then a lift will be recommended. It really depends on what your goals are. There are different types of breast lifts that exist that will not leave you with extensive scars. Having a consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon will help you decide on what is the best approach for you.

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. 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, if interested. 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

Thanks for your question! You always have an option to get breast implants without a lift, but I would greatly discourage it. Your breasts are droopy and adding an implant will add volume, but they will just look droopy and larger. If you are looking for fuller and perkier, you should consider a breast lift. Good luck!

Hi there, thank you for your question! You can definetly achieve more volume with an implant only, the decision of doing a lift will depend on your expectations. You areola wouldnt move without a lift. You can always do the augmentation first and then 6months-1 year later go back for the lift should you want it. I would reccomend a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over your goals and expectations!

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a great candidate for a breast augmentation without the need for a lift. An in person evaluation is the best way to confirm this but based on the photos, you should be fine.

I appreciate your concerns about scarring and breast lift surgery, however your photos indicate that in your case, breast lift would be needed. It appears that your breasts require a lift and there is modest asymmetry. The good news is that it appears that you have ample breast tissue, so if you do not desire extremely large breasts, breast lift alone would be all you need. The procedure would greatly improve your asymmetry and provide you with attractive, perky breasts. Come see me or another board-certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you. Good luck

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. The best choice of operation depends largely on what your goals are for the surgery (such as how large you would like your breasts to be and whether you want a more lifted, perkier appearance, in addition to a larger breast size), as well as the quality of your skin and the degree of breast ptosis or sagging you have. While it is difficult to say without examining you, based on your photos, you do appear to have some sagging of your breasts and your nipple position is a little low. Given this, if your goal is to have a perkier breast, I think you would benefit from a lift. However, if you are primarily concerned with the size of your breasts and really want to avoid a lift, you could consider placing an implant without a lift. In this case, however, I would recommend placing a smaller implant, as a larger implant will contribute to more sagging of your breast and stretching of the skin. In plastic surgery, there is rarely only one “right” answer and you want to be sure to have an open and clear discussion with your plastic surgeon, so your surgeon understands your goals and can help guide you and be sure you understand the pros and cons of each option.