Breast Augmentation: Cost, Reviews, Photos

A breast augmentation using high profile (anatomical) implants may give you a little lift and well as make you fullness and perkiness.

A peri-arolar breast lift may give a little lift as well without the vertical scars of a breast lift. The augmentation can be performed from the same incision.

The cost of a aug alone is $4100 which includes all fees (double boarded plastic surgeon, b/c anesthesiologist md/do, and a medicare approved surgicenter) except the implant fees. (saline $1000, silicone $2000)

Both procedures run ~ $6100. (implants extra)Consult a board certified plastic surgeon. (George C. Peck, Jr, MD, Highlands Plastic Surgeon)

Only a breast lift will give you nicely shaped perky breasts. Choose an expert board certified plastic surgeon and ask to see pictures of his/her own work to see scars. Well done lift scars should fade. (Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS, West Orange Plastic Surgeon)

Unless you have almost no droop, what we call pseudoptosis and you definitely do not have, an implant will not correct it.

If you wish to regain perkiness, then a lift is your only option. When done by an experienced plastic surgeon, with buried sutures that take at least 6 months to dissolve, the scars are usually quite acceptable. I have been doing breast reductions and lifts for well over 30 years and have never had a partner of one of my patients complain of the scars.

In fact, because the breast is generally more anesthetic, they’re usually quite pleased even with the rare less than ideal scars. I would never consider adding an implant in any one your size unless you’ve pleaded with me to do so over a prolonged period of time. You will have enough forces tending to cause recurrence of the droop by leaving you at your present size without making the problem worse by adding an implant. Although it may be possible to breast-feed after a breast lift, if you really desire breast-feeding when you have children, the best advice is to wait until after you have had children to do the lift. Additionally, pregnancy will stretch the breast out again and, perhaps, cause recurrent droop. (Robert T. Buchanan, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

You seem to be a very good candidate for a breast lift which inthe right hands will give you a great shape with upper pole fullness and cleavage. Scar are inevitable and will fade in time.

Most patients and family members are understandably worried about scars and when faded happy and joy bothered after the fact. (Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

To correct “saggy” you would “need” a lift, complete with scars. I tell patients that scars can be wonderful and barely visible (once they fade), or wide/thick/unattractive, but that most scars are acceptable. If scars are going to be a deal breaker decide that now. There is no going back. Implants would give you fullness in the upper breast area that a lift cannot. But if you don’t want to be bigger don’t get them. Sometimes it is best to see how happy you are with a lift alone and come back later for implants. As for your bf, that’s a decision only you can make. (James E. Chappell, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

First off, you don’t “need” any surgery. You’re breasts are the way they are supposed to be. What we do as cosmetic surgeons is provide procedures that will change the way your breasts look in ways that you will hopefully find pleasing.

Augmentation will increase the size of your breasts with the least amount of scarring, but they will still be somewhat droopy. If you are fine with this, there is no reason you “have to” have a lift. A lift would help tighten the skin and shrink the size of you areola but will require more scarring.

If this seems like a good tradeoff to you then a lift will be a good idea. You should seek out as many opinions as you need to feel comfortable from board certified plastic surgeons in your area before proceeding with a plan that makes sense to you. (Clark Schierle, MD, PhD, )

I don’t think an augmentation alone will make you happy. If you are happy with your size but just want to address the sagging, then a lift is the way to go. You don’t need an augment. (Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C), Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Looking at your photos I would suggest a lift to achieve the fullness and perkiness you describe. Unfortunately, there is no way to lift the breasts without scarring. The scars will fade in time. Laser treatments can also help to diminish the appearance of scars. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that you are comfortable with and make an appointment for a consultation. You can discuss at length the look you want to achieve as well as the effects a baby may have on your post surgery breasts. (Christine Rodgers, MD, Denver Plastic Surgeon)

Sounds like what you really need is a lift, but you can’t get that without the scars. However, scars do fade over time but it takes a long time. If you were to get implants only, you would most likely be unhappy with your results. (Martin Jugenburg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Subglandular and subfascial have similar advantages of easy recovery and no animation deformity, though can look “fake” in the upper part of the breast. From your photos it appears you would be fine with a subpectoral breast implant plane with a hybrid breast augmentation procedure which separates the glandular tissue from the muscle so that you fill out the lower aspect of your breast which has some pseudoptosis. Implants size and shape is an individual decision which you should discuss with your plastic surgeon. (Andrew P. Trussler, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Breast lift is the operation that lifts-up the breast (breast tissue and nipple-areola complex). Breast augmentation is the surgery that increase the size of the breast for exaple from B to C etc,. The critical point is the nipple position in terms of the inframmary fold.

If the nipple is over this fold and there is no extra skin under the breast and the size is B or C cup then a breast augmentation is the operation of choice. If the nipple is on or below the inframmary fold then a breast lift is needed.

If the nipple is on the inframmary fold (pseudoptosis) a minor breast lift with vertical scar is the most suitable technique. If the nipple is more than 2 cm below the fold an inverted-T breast lift is the most appropriate surgery. (Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Breast lift versus breast augmentation:make the right choice

Needing a lift typically depends on the position of the nipple relative to the breast tissue.

If you are looking at your breasts in the mirror, you should see normal skin under the nipple, if not you probably need a lift.

A visit with you a PS can let you know for sure. (Arthur M. Cambeiro, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)

That is probably the most frequently asked question for a plastic surgeon who does a lot of breast surgery. The answer is totally based on the status of the nipple areola in relation to the infra mammary fold.

When the NAC sits above the fold in a normal position , then increasing the breast volume with an implant alone will give a natural and pleasing result. If the NAC sits below the fold or an inordinate amount of breast tissue sags into the lower pole (pseudoptosis), then an implant alone would not create that desired result.

In those cases the NAC needs to be elevated onto the breast mound with some type of lifting procedure. If the needed elevation is not great (1-2) cms. and there is no pseudoptosis then a peri areolar lift can be utilized, but when the distance for elevation is greater then a vertical lift is a better choice. In cases of significant skin excess as in a weight loss patient then the traditional inverted T incision may be required. Making the right surgical choice is crucial in achieving an attractive result. (Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)