Is an augment without lift possible? (Photo)

Question

I had one child, and have lower breast sagging. I just got back from an augmentation consult, and was sad to hear him reccomend a lift. I dont want to spend 11 grand on a procedure. If i cant get just an augment then i cant do it, and that makes me very sad. I have been reading about some people like me who get an augment without the lift and it goes fine. I like my breast shape, the "sagging" doesnt bother me. I just want them fuller.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your questions and concerns.  It is very common for women to want breast lifting when they get a breast augmentation.  Reading your message, I know that is not the answer you were hoping to hear, but without the lift the sagging will remain. At the end of the day, an implant just pushes out what you naturally already have there. I tell all my patients that there's a 100% chance of asymmetry after any breast surgery with or without a lift. Of course, the goal is to try to make you as equal as possible, but everyone has asymmetries of the ribs, the muscles etc. It's very important to understand this as you, like all women, have some breast asymmetry that would be pointed out on examination and before any surgery.

When women have excess breast skin, an implant can take up some of this excess skin. So, depending what implant size you're interested in being, there's a good chance that in your case a breast augmentation will have good results without any additional breast lift scarring. As a final thought, if you pick the infraareolar scar as your choice for breast implants, usually we can do a mini breast lift at the same time and I usually don't charge people for this. Of course, a full areolar breast lift or short scar breast lift is different and does involve more scars and more costs.  Aging and even pregnancy is definitely hard on the breast areas and this is a comment complaint among women visiting my office.

For some women that aren't quite sure, it is okay to do just the breast implant and if they  desire more lifting afterwards, you can usually do that in the office as a separate procedure under local anesthesia and leave the implant alone and just remove some of the excess breast skin.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of breast implants. Good luck with your future surgery!

I hope this helps answer your question. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions regarding breast augmentation and mastopexy (lift). In similar situations that I’ve handled, I believe that you can achieve the results you want with just a breast augmentation without a lift. The augmentation would get you the fuller breasts that you are wanting. To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have a breast augmentation. I hope this helps

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question and photos. The answer to your question is yes. Augmentation is possible without lifting when implants are placed over the muscles however; only augmentation is not enough to correct the shape of your breasts. It looks like you have uneven breasts. Implants will give you more volume and fullness but they may not be the solution to that. A better evaluation can be made in person. I’d advise you have a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

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 then get to choose what looks right for them. 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

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

Hi there,Thank you for your question! Based on your expectations and you not being bothered by the "sagging" of your breasts, I think you would be a great candidate for a breast implant (augmentation) without adding on a breast lift (mastopexy) I will say, often times we have to put in a larger implant in patients in your scenario, in order to fill up the full shape of the breast, but many of my patients opt to do a implant with no lift to avoid the "lollipop or anchor" scars that come with a lift and have excellent results in the end!I Recommend meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss more at length.Hope that helps answer your questions!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your breasts are low on the chest wall and widely separated. The technique I recommend is 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. At the same time, fat transfers or small implants can be placed totally submuscular.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Implants with a higher profile can provide a subtle lift, but in your case the lift may not be sufficient. The implants need to be centred behind the nipples, therefore they’ll sit a bit low on your chest. If this is fine with you, and it’s understood that the weight of the implants can accelerate the rate of sagging, then augmentation alone may be an option. Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You can get the lift only but you’ll be pretty small. Smaller than you think. But you can always have the lift first and get an implant later. We do it all the time

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Your photos are helpful. Based on these, I believe that you will have an excellent result with breast augmentation alone. A properly performed dual-plane augmentation will give you a beautiful result without the need for a lift. I hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear breannabarkley,
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

Is an augment without lift possible? (Photo)

Answers (14)

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