What is the Optimum Distance from Collar Bone to Nipple?

The optimal distance from collar bone to nipple varies according to your height and chest width.  Various ways to determine optimal nipple position include:  1. the aesthetic breast triangle...distance from sternal notch to L nipple, sternal notch to R nipple, and distance between nipples...all being the same number, 2. 1/2 the humeral distance from shoulder to elbow, 3. Just above the IMF along the breast meridian, 4. In the center of the breast mound. All of these ways can be used to help determine optimal nipple position. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. There are some women who will benefit from adding a breast lift to a breast augmentation. In general, if your nipple is located at or above the crease below your breast then a lift is typically not needed. In addition to nipple position, measurements are also used to determine when to add a lift. It's important to know the breast implants do not lift the nipple to any significant degree, so you can't escape the lift by using a breast implant. Breast sagging is a spectrum and women with mild/moderate sagging can sometimes go either way. In this situation, I typically recommend breast augmentation as an initial procedure, waiting six months, and then only performing a breast lift if it is truly needed. When considering breast augmentation make sure you find a board certified plastic surgeon who will take the time to answer all of your questions and explain all of your options, so that you can decide which procedures are right for you. 

The normal range from sternal notch to nipple for a fully developed woman with well positioned breasts is anywhere from 16 to perhaps 26+ centimeters. Regarding your individual needs, a full examination will be necessary to determine the best option(s) for you. Implant alone vs lift alone vs implant plus lift are the 3 typical options with many different approaches including the 3 usual lift scars; circumareolar (circular), vertical (lollipop) and anchor or ("inverted T").The SN to N distance alone is not sufficient to make the exact determination of which procedure is best.