Will I need a breast lift? I'm thinking of getting 400-450cc.

I agree with your doctor that you are in a grey area. That means that an in person consultation is of major importance in order to determine which procedure is suitable to you. The photos are of relative help. Depends what you want to obtain. Volume or shape? The volume of your breast looks very satisfactory. If you want more volume (I would not advise it) a breast lift with implant would be the solution if the nipple is under the inframammary fold. Implant only with dual plane technique if the nipple is over the inframammary fold. If the shape is your concern, breast lift with reduction to the lower pole and implant of 400 cc will be the solution. Please consider the fact to not do anything because on the photo your breast looks nice.

There does not appear to be a grey area and a breast lift would be in order. It would be important to combine the breast implant with your pre-existing breast volume to meet your goals. A breast implant alone would either sit too high or cause more sagging.

Hello, thank you for your inquiry and photos. Based on your photo and with the implant size you are looking to have done a lift would need to be done as well in order to obtain good results. Adding the implants with time as well can drop lower, I would suggest seeking board certified plastic surgeons, best of luck! 

Your breasts are low on the chest wall.  Simply adding 400-450cc implants will result in large low breasts and you will be dissatisfied.  You need a lift and the technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them 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.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.  Implants are not lifetime devices.  8% fail within the first year and 30% fail within six years.  Fat transfers are permanent and incorporated into the body.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thanks for your inquiry, I agree with your doctor that you can get a good result without a lift,  but I would ask your surgeon about shortening the nipple to fold distance in the crease potentially to reduce drooping.

I agree you are in the gray area as far as needing a lift. I would need an actual exam and measurements. If you get a lift I would perform a lollipop type lift along with implants. The s are heal exceedingly well.

Judging by your photos it would be easy to say you dont need a breast lift because your nipple and areola appear to be in good position in relation to your breast.  However, you do have some pseudoptosis it appears like in the photo.  It is difficult to tell because the one photo you have uploaded is rather far and having some side photos and measurements would help.  But I would say dont expect that an implant alone will lift the lower pole of the breast.  You will still have some "droop" below the tuck.  To do a lift on you would be to remove the lower pole breast tissue and tighten the skin in addition to placing an implant so that you would not have any lower pole skin/breast tissue hanging over your breast tuck.Hope that makes sense.  It really comes down to expectations and what you are thinking or imaging your breasts to look like.

Dear printupp,
determiningwhether 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 inframammaryline 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

Hello and thank you for your question. You are a great candidate for a breast augmentation using a dual plane technique without need for a formal lift.  The size, profile, and shape of the implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

You don't need a breast lift to elevate the nipple and areola, but there is excess breast tissue from the nipple to the breast crease. An implant weight will likely cause premature sagging of your breast tissues, not necessarily the nipple and areola - which is more common. You should see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to get a formal opinion through an in-person consultation.
Best of luck,
Vincent Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon