Am I a good candidate for breast implant without a lift? (Photos)

It all depends, really.

You’re in a “gray area” where you could do a lift or not. It depends on your expectation for the outcome.

If you want a smaller augmentation with “perky” breasts and cleavage… do a lift.

If you’re ok going a little on the larger side to achieve a closer cleavage and upper pole volume… don’t do a lift.

If you put a small implant in without a lift, they’ll sit too low and wide and you may not like that look.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

From your photos, it looks like your issue is loss of volume, and once this is restored, your shape should be fine without a lift. I'd be happy to see you in consultation either in NYC or LI. Feel free to write or call with questions.

Patient concerns regarding the appearance of their breasts can typically be divided in two pools: volume, ptosis (droop). The procedures to address these issues are as different as the issues themselves. However, these concerns are not mutually exclusive. Many patients, whether they are aware or not, will benefit from both.
There are two factors which can help to answer the question of which surgery will deliver the most satisfying result: mastopexy, augmentation or both. Patients must first consider the position of the NAC (nipple areolar complex i.e. the pigmented portion of the breast) as it relates to the inframammary crease. If the nipples are at or below the level of the crease the patient may benefit from a lift or mastopexy. The breast lift is designed to elevate sagging breasts to a more youthful position. It also helps to reshape and tighten the skin of the breasts. This is typically accomplished via a periareolar (around the nipple) incision with or without a vertical incision.
Mastopexy is an effective way to address sagging breast, however, the changes which accompany weight loss or pregnancy can also decrease volume of the breasts. When a woman wants the volume restored, or increased, a breast augmentation will also be needed in conjunction with mastopexy. Augmentation can help restore the volume loss which is well known to women following children. There are a number of options available to women considering augmentation ranging from size and implant type to access incision.
A breast augmentation alone may also be appropriate if ptosis is mild. If the patient is comfortable with the natural appearance of the breasts but desires them to be larger, a breast augmentation alone is the right procedure. Augmenting significantly ptotic or sagging breasts tends to magnify the problem. In these cases, a mastopexy performed in conjunction with an augmentation is preferred.
Based upon your photos, you demonstrate mild sagging. This is unlikely to improve with an implant alone. However, you may be a candidate for peri-areolar or crescentic lift. This is best decided via in-person exam.
There is a procedure for every problem. To determine which technique is right for you, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon Patient should discuss their concerns with their physicians in order to make an educated decision.

When surgeons say- just go larger on your implant to avoid a lift- I cringe. It's all about how much skin excess you have and where your nipples sit. If you find that your nipple is below your breast crease you will need a lift. Easy rule of thumb. If your nipple is at your crease (from the pictures you have I think this is your case) you may get enough elevation with a dual plane 3 dissection. But in the long run your breast implants will sit lower on your chest. For you I think the long term answer is to get a lift with your breast aug. Longer lasting, higher and tighter look. Downside is you have to accept the incisions required. Hope that helps!

Dear Plucky680588,

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

Your nipples are located below your breast fold so a lift would be recommended. Without one, your implants would sit low on your chest and you wouldn’t have fullness in the upper pole, leaving you with a “rocks in socks” result.

Thank you for submitting your questions and photos. Based on your photos, you have a couple of options. If you want a more conservative increase in breast volume from implants, I'd recommend a breast lift to shorten the length of your breasts and help with nipple/areola positioning. This would require a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision from the areola to the breast fold.
Another option would be to place a significantly larger implant in order to fill out the breast envelope and create the illusion of a lift. You may still require a lift later in life. I highly recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon to review your options in more detail. Good luck and thanks again for reaching out.

In my clinic, I do not perform breast augmentation and breast lift at the same time. You are at a reasonable place aesthetically to place an implant first. If the implant fills out your breast envelope appropriately, you may be happy and not need a lift. I would certainly start with step one of Breast Augmentation.

I would highly recommend a dual plane augmentation with a lift. There is too much soft tissue/breast laxity to obtain proper breast aesthetics with an implant alone. One option is to stage this and insert the implant first or perform the lift first; each followed by the other respective procedure after a 3-6 month delay. You need to find a highly experienced American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified Surgeon with extensive aesthetic breast surgery experience. Ideally, one with a 3D simulation software that can show the potential result on your direct breasts/tissues.

Yes! You are a candidate for Augmentation without a lift, but it's important to pick the right implant. Too often, I see women choosing high-profile implants with too much volume when a lower-profile implant, such as a moderate profile, would better serve them. A moderate profile would give them more upper pole fullness while providing a more natural look. Correctly done Augmentation using biometric analysis of your breast footprint and size should give you a natural and rejuvenated breast.