Breast Augmentation: Cost, Reviews, Photos

Choice of breast lift with Implants

Your surgeon is correct, it is your decision. From your pictures, you will have a moderate droop even after the breast implants.

If all you really want is volume, and you really do not mind some droop, then just having an implants is all you need.

If, however, you can only tolerate very little droop, you need a lift also.

If you elect no lift, you can always do the lift later. In fact many surgeons prefer this. (Robert T. Buchanan, MD, Highlands Plastic Surgeon)

Breast implants with or without lift

Looking at your photos I don’t really think you need a lift. Usually if the nipple is in line or above the fold of the breast an implant alone will restore volume and give some lift. You appear to really only have deflation of the breast.

A mastopexy will only add scarring, and possibly make your breasts too high. If you think your breasts are still too saggy after the implants, you can always lift them later and that would probably be a safer option. (Leonard Harris, MD, Burlington Plastic Surgeon)

Breast Lift or Implants Alone

Based on what I see in your pictures, I would recommend a breast lift with implants. It is true that implants placed above the muscle would give you fullness, but will just make the ptosis (sagginess) worse over time. I feel that the most natural result would be to place the implant under the muscle and perform a lift at the same time. In my hands, this would give you a beautiful, long-lasting result. (Dustin L. Reid, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Vertical augmentation/mastopexy works best

You may go either way, with or without a breast lift at the time of implants. If you don’t have a lift, be aware that your nipple level will be a little too low, more visible on the side view. A bra corrects this of course. Are you thinking of how you would look in a bikini? If so, a breast lift is advisable. Not all breast lifts are the same. Some techniques that are inadvisable are the periareolar (donut) and inverted-T (anchor) lift techniques, both of which cause unacceptable scars and suboptimal results.

The best technique is a vertical augmentation/mastopexy. Be sure you see a number of before and after photos that you would consider acceptable, done by your surgeon, before signing on for this procedure, which has a high degree of variability in results from one surgeon to the next. I have some examples on my website. (Eric Swanson, MD, Kansas City Plastic Surgeon)

Breast Lift with Implants

In your case, it looks like the breast tissue is hanging under the pectoralis major muscle. There is not a clear distinction between the areola and the inframammary fold. there seems to be extra skin between the areola and the IMF.

These would all push me toward a lift. I realize that you want volume too. Options: Staged. Lift then augment later. Combined: I would put the implant in first ant then mold the tissue over it. If indeed the implant fills up the skin. Your’re done. If it does not, then the plastic surgeon can proceed with the lift. Take photos to your plastic surgeon and discuss your goals. This may help in the decision process. (Jeffrey Roth, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation and lifting

Augmentation and lifting CAN be performed at the same time. The real key is to determine WHEN they should be performed together. Photographs are sometimes very difficult to interpret for augmentation/lift cases and your photographs are in this category. The best way to decide is to listen to the advice of your surgeon. If your surgeon has said “it is up to you” then you could really go either way.

If you really don’t mind a little sag then stage the procedure (perform augmentation alone) and then wait for at least 3 months and see what you think. A lift can always be performed later. (Richard H. Fryer, MD, Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation and lift needed?

When I consider whether a lift is needed along with implants, it all depends on whether I believe the patient will be happy with the final results.

I don’t buy time with one surgery and hope for the best and I’m not willing to do a surgery that the patient wants if I don’t believe the end result will be satisfactory.

In your case, I would only perform a lift along with augmentation or nothing at all.

The reason is that If you are to have large implants placed to fill the stretched skin, this will only cause further drooping in the future and you’ll be back for more surgery.

I believe you would get wonderful results with a Benelli lift which means minimal scars, (although I’d have to see you in person to know for sure).

Check the link below for more information about the Benelli Breast Lift and other options you might consider. (Andrew Kaczynski, MD, Sacramento Plastic Surgeon)

I think the best result you would get would be with an augmentation and some sort of a lift whether it isjust an areola lift or a more formal vertical type of lift. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation with or without lift

The general rule of thumb is that when the nipple position falls below the inframammary fold. level a breast lift is required for optimum shape. You look like you are probably at this level. Doing an augmentation alone can be considered, but you need to know that a mastopexy(breast lift) would be required to elevate sagging tissue if you are ultimately not happy with the shape after augmentation alone.

This can be done at a later date without a problem. It also gives you the ability to decide for yourself whether the shape is acceptable. Vertical and periareolar lifts are both possible, each with its own advantages and disadvantages (David A. Bottger, MD, Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon)

You have received quite a diversity of answers ranging from just an augmentation, “it’s your choice”, big implants + augmentation and a lift along with the augmentation. You have significant drooping in addition to deflation of your breasts.

An implant alone will not address this and as a result, you will have lax breast tissue hanging off the implants – not a good or acceptable look. Trying to address this by inserting large implants above the muscle will only ultimately create a worse situation with time.

My unequivocal recommendation would be for a breast lift in addition to the breast augmentation at the same time. Period. (Steven Turkeltaub, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)

The issue with the surgical procedure is ‘trade offs’ – trade a scar for a better shape for your breasts. At a minimum- a iift using a suture around your areola will give you a nice shape when combined with an implant and the scars going vertically from the areola tothe bottom of your breast can be avoided. This will aslo help reduce the size of the areola. (Trevor M. Born, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

it is very possible that you will eventually want a breast lift after breast augmentation. However, starting with the breast augmentation is reasonable. (Jeff Scott, MD, Everett Plastic Surgeon)