Possible to get upper pole fullness without an implant? (Photo)

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under intravenous
sedation and local or general anesthesia. As mentioned above there are a
variety of techniques for these operations.  Lollipop lift (vertical lift), donut
(periareola) lift, Benelli lift, crescent lift, anchor lift (inverted T). Most
commonly, we prefer the lollipop or donut lift because of the shape, small
scars and easier healing. Although the “anchor-shape” or inverted “T” incision
is still more popular in the United States, it represents an older technique
with extensive scarring and a less optimal result in many cases. These newer
techniques are utilized in the vast majority of cases, the rare exception being
extremely large breasts. The nipple-areola complex is repositioned higher, the
excess skin is removed, and the breast is reshaped in a pleasing contour and in
a more normal position.

The crescent lift removes a small amount of skin at the top of
the areola. We find that there is very little lift and the areola becomes oval
in shape and distorted with this method.

The Benelli lift as performed by most surgeons is just the donut
lift, removing a donut shaped piece of areola and skin then using a
#Pursestring or double purse-string suture to tighten the skin.  A true Benelli actually will expose much of
the breast through this incision and then the breast itself is shaped and
lifted with sutures.  This is a more
complex procedure and is often not done as describe by Dr. Benelli.

 The insertion of an
implant as well, may be advisable to restore superior fullness, which is lost
with aging and after pregnancy despite the rest of the breast being overly
large.  Fat grafting can be used instead
of implants to improve the contours of the breast. This is the
#NaturalBreastLIft or #CaliforniaBreastLift

#AugmentationMastopexy


This involves placing a small implant at the time of the
#mastopexy to add volume or contour the upper breast.   Another option is the #NaturalBreastLift or
#CaliforniaBreastLift which places fat in the upper breast instead of an
implant to help the shape of the breast.

I appreciate your question.





I perform a liposuction breast lift that removes tissue from the areas you don't want such as near the armpit and the lower portion hanging near your stomach. Once I use this to shape the breast I then remove the skin to tighten the breast and create a better shape with nice cleavage. Since I perform this less invasively the recovery time is faster. The size would depend on the proportion with your body versus going for a cup size.





The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery.



 



Best of luck!



   



Dr. Schwartz



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



#RealSelf100Surgeon



#RealSelfCORESurgeon

I think that the breast lift can be performed in such a fashion that upper pole fullness can be improved.  Fat transfer can also be used to augment that region, and is a very good use of that technique.

Hello,A breast lift and fat grafting to upper poles would be an excellent way of optimizing your result. Go visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons that specialize in breast surgery. 

I am in agreement with the other providers that breast lift (or mastopexy) alone does not create upper pole fullness. I believe that upper pole fullness can be done best with an implant. But patients should understand that by placing an implant, their breasts will be bigger and they may go up in cup size. Breast implants are also not" forever" devices and may need further replacement surgery in the future. So if a patient has adequate breast tissue it may be best to do the mastopexy first, then wait 6 months to see if they want more volume. Your board certified plastic surgeon can help you with this decision. Best of luck to you and have a great weekend.

Thank you for your question and photo. A breast lift by itself will not give you significant improvement in fullness in the upper poles. The breast has a "footplate", where you see the indentation laterally between the breast and chest wall, that is the superior border of your breast and the inframammary fold is the bottom of the footplate. Some women are "high breasted" and some are "low breasted". You are low breasted, and to give you upper pole fullness you would need a breast implant or fat grafting at the time of your lift. Fat grafting is not as predictable as an implant, but you will do well with grafting to the upper poles of the breasts and the pectoralis muscles. Fat grafting has been done for many decades (face, buttocks, breasts), it is very technique dependent, and not all the fat will survive. The fat that does not survive, will become scar tissue, there might be some calcification (seen on a mammogram) or oil cysts. None of these are clinically significant and the calcifications are not confused with "micro calcifications" which are presentations in some breast cancers. Matter of fact, every time a surgeon cuts into a breast, for an augmentation, lift, reduction, biopsy, etc., scarring and calcifications form. None of these are confused for breast cancer, and no one questions these procedures. See a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in all types of breast surgery for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Breast lift surgery does not in itself produce upper pole fullness, although it raises the position of the breasts on the chest wall.  An implant gives a predictable level of volume to the upper pole.  However, you can also undergo fat grafting to this area to improve your fullness without using an implant.  The main disadvantage of fat grafting is that the amount which will be retained is somewhat unpredictable, and therefore you may require a second procedure for additional fat grafting.  This is typically performed a year after the initial procedure if needed.  Best wishes.

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, many women never develop the high, firm breast shape that we associate with youth. In these cases, we want to reshape the breasts into a higher and more youthful shape. This is achieved with either  lift (mastopexy) or cosmetic breast reduction procedure. Fortunately, you have sufficient natural breast tissue volume to reshape with or without further augmentation. I would prefer a reduction procedure, as this technique reshapes the breast from within, and tends to hold well over time. Fat grafting is always an option if more upper pole volume is desired. Other patients would add an implant later for a similar effect. As always, it's important to work with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, in your area. Best of luck to you.

Yes, fat grafting would be the best and most effective way to get more upper pole fullness with a mastopexy. These procedures can safely be done at the same time, but your recovery is a little longer because you will also have to recover from the liposuction. 

I have a way of doing a breast lift on folks like you in which I keep literally everything you've got except a teaspoon of skin fragments. Photos are on my web site. This additional volume retained vs the usual breast lift in which excess skin is disposed of can give more projection and fullness than standard lifts. Nothing replaces implants though for upper pole fullness, but implants are where most of the complications reside. I am not a fan of fat grafting, though it is a big fad procedure these days. The reason is that not all of the fat will survive and what doesn't could possibly turn to scar tissues and confuse breast cancer detection down the road. Just my opinion.