21, low, saggy boobs. Is a breast lift is the best option for me? (Photos)

Question

hi! Im 21y and ive got boobs very late in life, at like 18/19. However they a very low set and kinda saggy, not firm at all. Its not possible for me to not wear a bra, because its ugly and low and it move too much. However, chirgurie are so expensive so im wondering if breast lift is the only option for me, i want something that would be cheaper but could make a little bit of change at least. Thank you!

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos.  Your breasts have excellent shape and contour and your nippe/areola are well above the fold under your breast. You have no evidence of any ptosis, is hanging of the breasts. Therefore, a breast lift is not indicated and would place incisions on you, which would be permanent and would be of no benefit.  The reason that you feel your breasts are set low is due to the fact that embryological your breasts can develop anywhere from your armpit to your groin. Obviously, most breasts develop on the chest, but, some peoples breasts develop slightly lower than other people breasts.  This is simply a normal variant of development.  I am not aware of any proven, acceptable method to move the breast further up the chest.  The level of the breasts are determined by where the fold underneath the breast develops.  The firmness of your breast depends upon the percentage of fat versus glandular tissue in your breasts.  More glandular tissue results in a more firm breast and more fat results in a softer breast.  This is also genetically determined, and I am unaware of any way to change that. Best wishes.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience, many similar patients achieve more breast fullness with implants alone.

Since you are very borderline, I would.not recommend a breast lifft with extra scars, etc. Dual plane implants will simulate higher position in bra.

Implants are generally less costly than a breast lift.

Patients who don’t want implants may be candidates for fat transfer to the breasts. This involves liposuction of areas to obtain the fat.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm this as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

If the breasts are naturally low-set, loose, and the nipples sit low, a breast lift is usually the most effective way to make a real change. A lift can raise the nipple position, tighten the skin envelope, and make the breasts sit higher and feel more supported.
Non-surgical options unfortunately have very limited effect for true sagging. Exercises can strengthen the chest muscles, but they cannot tighten stretched breast skin or lift the breast tissue itself. Skin tightening devices may help very mild laxity, but they will not significantly change low breast position.
If you want only a small improvement and cannot do surgery now, supportive bras, proper fitting, posture work, and maintaining a stable weight are the safest options. Sometimes a small implant can improve fullness, but implants alone do not truly lift the breast and can make sagging look worse if the skin is loose.
At 21, it is reasonable to take time before deciding. If the breasts are still changing, or if your weight may change, waiting can be wise. But if the shape has been stable and the main concern is low position and movement, a breast lift is the procedure that most directly addresses it.
My advice would be to consult a plastic surgeon when you are ready, even if only to understand your options. You may not need the most extensive lift, but the correct scar pattern depends on how much the nipple and breast tissue need to be raised.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Your breasts are completely normal and I would recommend doing nothing. You have excellent shape, proportion, fullness with the nipple in perfect position. Be careful as you will end up with a botched result with permanent scarring and contour problems. Thank you and I hope this helps.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

From the photos and your description, I would think of this mainly as breast position and skin/tissue laxity rather than only lack of volume. When the nipple and breast tissue sit low, a breast lift is usually the operation that changes shape and position most reliably.
Implants can add fullness, but they do not reliably lift a low breast and may make heaviness worse if the skin is already loose. Non-surgical options or small treatments generally give little change. An in-person exam would clarify whether a lift alone or a lift with a modest implant best matches your goals and budget.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Genuine479087,

my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for the question, after evaluating your case… I do. Not suggest a lift, a breast augmentation is enough to improve your breast appearance…

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Based on what you’re describing, this does not sound like true breast sagging (ptosis), but rather low upper pole fullness and softer tissue support. Many young women mistake lack of upper pole volume for sagging, when in reality the nipple position may still be within a normal range. If that is the case, a breast lift would not be the ideal or most cost-effective solution, and it would introduce unnecessary scars. The more appropriate option would be restoring upper pole fullness with a preservation-based augmentation approach (such as a Preserve technique), which enhances the upper portion of the breast without over-enlarging or creating an artificial look. By selectively increasing upper pole projection, the breast appears firmer, higher, and more stable&mdash;often eliminating the “low and empty” appearance without requiring a lift. If budget is a concern, it’s important to understand that non-surgical treatments will not meaningfully lift or firm the breast, so structural correction is the only reliable way to create lasting improvement.

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

Based on the pictures you submitted, you don't have any ptosis, meaning your areola is above the level of your inframammary fold. I would recommend talking with a plastic surgeon about a breast augmentation. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but based on the information you provided, it sounds like you want to achieve more upper pole fullness or volume to the upper and middle portion of the breast. I think you can achieve a beautiful result with an augmentation. That would provide the upper pole fullness and volume with far less incisions than would be needed for a breast lift.
I would encourage you to bring pictures of what you are wanting to accomplish with your surgery to show your surgeon what you want your chest to look like after surgery. Based on your chest measurements, the surgeon can then recommend to you the most appropriate volume and projection of an implant to accomplish your goals.

Waylon Zeng, MD · Answer

Hi there, thank you so much for your question and also for sharing your photos. You are very concerned about the position and "sagginess" of your breasts. I actually don't agree that you have any kind of sagging. Your nipples and areolae are actually well above the bottom fold/crease of your breast. All of your breast tissue also sits above the crease. So your breasts actually have no sagginess. Looking at your breast position, the nipple sits at the same height as the middle point of your upper arm. So your breast footprint/position is actually also in its ideal position. 
I think you have a great shape, and I do not think you need any surgery to correct any issues on your breast. You have a longer torso, which may be contributing to your thoughts of a saggy breast. I hope that helps!

21, low, saggy boobs. Is a breast lift is the best option for me? (Photos)

Answers (15)

More Breast Lift Questions

Do I Need A Revision with Another Surgeon? (Photos)

Does it make sense to have a breast lift before having kids? (Photos)

Breast lift with auto augmentation - is this a good option? (Photo)

Could I have a breast lift with nice shape and minimal scarring or would I also need implants? (Photo)

Breast lift correction - can these dents from nipple to crease be improved? (Photo)

If I get an anchor breast lift with internal mesh, can I achieve slight upper pole fullness without an implant? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS