To lift or not to lift saggy breast implants

A physical examination with measurements is always best when determining what procedure would be best for a patient but judging from your photos alone my recommendation would be a breast lift with a silicone submuscular breast augmentation.

If you do subglandular implants with no lift you will likely get what is often referred to as a “rock in a sock” look, which is very undesirable.

To acheive best results a lift will most likely be needed. (Kevin Rose, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Looking at these photos, which is not as useful as an actual examination, I would not recommend doing an augmentation without doing a lift.

breast implants without lift gallery

The risk is having the appearance of the breast tissue draping off the implants, an unsatisfying outcome (though correctable with a lift). (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Breast Augmentations + Lift with scars vs. Breast Augmentations and lower breasts

Greetings, If you do not object to having lower and larger breasts, a dual plane breast augmentation may meet your needs. Satisfying your surgical expectations may require a breast lift at a later time. It is important to remember that adding the weight and volume of breast implants to your existing breasts will not defy gravity. They will ultimately be lower. Ask your surgeon to show you photos of patients similar to you in shape, size and breast position (both before and after surgery). (Douglas J. Raskin, MD, DMD, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon)

Breast implants to camouflage ptosis are aesthetically better above the muscle the can be placed below.

Saggy breast implants without lift image

In my opinion ptosis is better camouflaged when a mastopexy is not desired by implants in a sub glandular position. When implants are placed at the same time is a mastopexy is safer for the implants to be placed below the muscle. (Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD)

Lift with implant

Many women believe they need a lift because of loss of volume in the upper pole of the breast which an implant help. To add weight to the breast on top of the muscle in my opinion is like adding a rock to a sock and making the problem worse. No question that some day you will need a lift as the tissue that is out of place now will only get worse. But when you are ready to accept the scars to improve the shape you should do a lift. Personally with your photos I would be happy to only put in an implant under the muscle. (Dan Mills, MD, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)

To lift or not to lift

Saggy breast implants with lift photo

I true lateral view would be helpful to determine the degree of ptosis. A lift would correct the large size of your areolar. However, if you are only interested in an augmentation, I believe a dual plane approach would provide a reasonable result. You can always do a lift secondarily if you are not happy with the results. (Todd B. Koch, MD, Buffalo Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation and lift

Your breasts are asymmetric with the left larger than the right and very stretched out areolae from the pregnancy. With that degree of areola stretch you must also have some degree of skin laxity. This was created by your becoming a D with pregnancy. Now you want to be a DD and that is not logical. Becoming a DD will only make the problems created by being a D worse. You cannot put a large truck engine in a small compact car.

breast implants without lift

You will need to remove some of the excess skin (breast lift) and place a larger implant on the right or remove some breast tissue from the left. My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship. (Aaron Stone, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Treating Mild Ptosis Without a Lift

The issue in trying to treat mild breast ptosis without scars depends entirely on the size and position of the implants. Size doesn’t seem a concern to you so that is not a problem. It is true that subglandular implants, especially high profile implants, are easier to place in the proper position and can provide more “lift” than submuscular implants. The thing that has not been duscussed is that you have dilated areolae which are begging for a periareolar mastopexy.

Saggy breast

The implants can be placed through this incision also. You could get the added benefit of a small lift of your nipples with nicer shaped larger breasts. It is advisable to use textured implants in the subglandular position. (Paul S. Howard, MD, Fairfax Plastic Surgeon)

Breast Aug and Lift?

From the pictures I appears that you have a grade 2 ptosis, with some volume asymmetry and some upper pole volume loss. If you’re going to spend money to have pretty breast don’t make the wrong decision. You need a subpectoral augmentation and a periareolar or “doughnut” lift. Subglandular augmentation should no longer be performed. It is an archaic procedure that has a very high rate of capsular contracture. Making the right decision now will make you happy in the long run. (Christopher L. Hess, MD, Provo Plastic Surgeon)