Breast Lift - Will I achieve upper pole fullness with a 400cc implant? (Photos)

Dear CMC2025,

breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient.
When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.
Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.
Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.
You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.


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

It is important to remember what a lift can and cannot do.

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, it will not add volume.

With regards to your specific question, while you may benefit from a lift form the perspective of NAC position...this will have no impact on upper pole fullness. If you desire greater upper pole fullness, you should consider implant exchange. A lower profile device will be wider and thus deliver greater upper pole fullness.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Based on your photos, it looks like your nipples are pointing slightly downward and may be located at or below your breast fold. For this reason, a lift would be recommended. While implants alone may lift the breasts a bit, the result may not be as dramatic as you’d like.

Thank you for your photographs. Your present implants have given you a certain amount of upper pole fullness. A breast lift is designed to reposition your nipple/areola to an elevated and more youthful position and tighten your breast skin slightly. It will not give you permanent upper pole fullness. One possible option would be to exchange your extra high profile implants for a moderate or moderate plus profile. The moderate and moderate profile plus implants are wider than the extra high profile implants and therefore would give you some additional upper pole fullness. You should discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon as this may be a very minor change and not worth the expense to you. Best wishes.

Hi there,
Yes, in general a lift will always help improve upper pole fullness. By removing skin and breast tissues we are making both the breast tighter and also the internal pocket. This results in a tighter lower pole which tends to hold the implant up higher on the chest. You may need your superior pocket opened up as well.
All the best to you

400cc implants are more then enough for upper pole fullness in your case. I feel part of the problem is implant placement and the fact that you should of had a breast lift with implants in the first place. The implants might have been placed low on purpose because your areola position was low to begin, so I guess the surgeon wanted to avoid a lift and tried matching the areola position to the center of the implants. Correcting the implant placement (probably going under the muscle is best), plus treating the infra-mammary fold to avoid bottomimg-out and lifting the breasts is what I would recommend.

Best of luck,
Dr. MIguel Mota

In your case, a breast lift alone will raise the nipple/areola upward. Unless work is done to the implant itself, the tissues around it, or the pocket, your upper pole fulness will remain about the same.

Ask your surgeon what s/he plans to do to raise the implant up for more upper pole fullness.

Based off your photos - there is a degree or ptosis (grade 1-2) resulting in downward pointing nipples. In order to achieve what you want, the breast envelope needs to be tightened therefore resulting in needing a mastopexy or breast lift. The question is are you ready for the scars - likely the anchor or J scar to really achieve proper lift and tightening of the later and medial aspect as well to give you a more round and better shaped breast. If you aren't ready for the extent of the scars, you can try a peri-areolar lift or a circular scar from just cutting around the nipple areola and moving / tightening a little around that area. A semi tough decision for you to make but also in correlation to what you are looking to achieve. Seek out a few opinions and pick the one you like best. Hope this helps.

You needed a breast lift to begin with instead of implants. At this time, I recommend explantation and lift using The Bellesoma Method. The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Breast lift after breast implants will help to elevate the nipple and minimize ptosis. There are no guarantees regarding upper pole fullness. Fat grafting may enhance upper pole fullness and at times an internal mesh to help keep the implants and breast tissue supported.