Borderline lift - will I have good results without one? (Photos)

Whether or not you should consider a lift depends on "the look you are after." Your limited photos suggest you would have a good aesthetic outcome with augmentation alone and most would be happy with this. There may be some residual sagging but most patient would accept this rather than have the extra surgery with the lift. It therefore comes down to a very personal decision for you as to your goals and as you state, "the look you are after."

From the looks of your photos, restoring volume with an implant augmentation would be fine, and I would stay away from any kind of simultaneous 'lift' procedure.

I would never recommend an implant alone in your situation. The lax skin/tissue creates another unpredictable variable that will most certainly be problematic. Predictable results require utmost control including addressing any skin/soft tissue laxity.

You are not making a mistake. Your breasts are in good anatomical position and a well-fitting implant on your chest wall will aid in shape and help fill out your skin envelope. I would encourage having a breast augmentation alone.

The answer to your question depends a bit on how the augmentation is being done and the size you choose, but based on these photos you don't look like someone who needs a lift.

Thank you for your inquiry! We, here at Mays Plastic Surgery, would like to sit down with you to discuss your concerns. Based on the photos, the implants could lift the breasts naturally without needing a surgical lift. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

Leebeetx,The best way to answer this question is to understand the difference between a lift and an augmentation. A breast lift, or mastopexy, will elevate the height of your nipple and tighten your skin envelope. A breast augmentation with an implant (or fat) will add volume to your breast. In some situations, an implant will add enough volume to fill in the lose skin and raise the nipple. In other situations, an implant will be combined with a breast lift for the desired result. Some patients want a breast lift alone because they want perkier breasts without any additional volume added. Best to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon to understand the results of these options and see what meets your goals the best! You may realize once you select your implant size that your nipples will still be too low and to get the look you want will require a lift as well. Dr Stein

Hello, I’ve reviewed your photos and question carefully.Without a physical examination to assess skin elasticity, any recommendation is naturally limited. Measuring tissue elasticity in person is essential to understand how much support your skin can provide and how an implant or lift would affect the final shape.
There is mild sagging and a small difference in breast level. If implants alone are placed, they will mostly add volume to your current shape rather than lift it.
If the look you prefer is similar to how your breasts appear when your arms are raised, a lift combined with augmentation would help position the nipple higher and create a smoother lower contour. This method provides support and projection instead of simply increasing size.
After breastfeeding, the skin may lose some elasticity, and implants alone can emphasize that over time. A subtle lift helps maintain balance and a natural, youthful form for longer.
I hope this clarifies why in-person evaluation and a tailored approach are key to achieving a balanced and lasting result.Güray Yeşiladalı, MD

Hi. I think that you will have a nice and natural outcome doing breast augmentation without a lift. You can avoid more scars if you don’t have the lift. You and your surgeon need to choose an implant that won’t create too much volume at the top of your breast or else it could look funny. I would always suggest an in person consultation rather than just an online consultation since there are some specifics of the surgery that need to be determined in person. Also, it is better to meet your surgeon face-to-face to make sure that you feel comfortable with the plan. Best of luck!

That’s a great and very common question. At 5’7” and 120 pounds, with a history of breastfeeding three children, it’s completely understandable to be borderline for a lift. Breastfeeding often leads to a mild degree of skin laxity and nipple descent, which can make it tricky to know whether implants alone will give the desired lift.
If your surgeon has evaluated you and feels confident that implants alone will achieve the look you want, that’s a reasonable approach, especially if your nipple position is still near or above the breast crease and your skin maintains good elasticity. In those cases, a well-chosen implant can fill out deflated tissue and create the appearance of lift without additional scars.
However, if your nipples sit below the breast fold or if there’s more sagging than fullness loss, implants alone may not completely correct that. In such cases, patients sometimes notice that the added volume gives fullness but the breasts still sit lower than they’d like.
You’re not making a mistake by avoiding a lift if your surgeon carefully assessed your anatomy and explained the trade-offs. But it’s always wise to discuss what happens if the implant-only result isn’t as perky as hoped, some women choose to stage a lift later if needed.
In short, you’re on the right track. As long as your nipple position and skin quality support it, implants alone can give a beautiful, rejuvenated look without the extra scars of a lift.
Warm regards,Dr. Sibel Atalay, MDBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon