Breast Augmentation: Cost, Reviews, Photos

Should I Consider a Lift with a Breast Augmentation?

You should do fine with an augmentation without a lift as long as you are looking for a natural look to the finished product.

You wioll get the best results with an implant under the muscle and a dual plane technique. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation with a lift or not?

If you are unsure about having a lift, then an augmentation can be done.

If you need a lift later on, you can always have it done. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Pseudo-ptosis of the breasts is corrected by breast augmentation only.

Breast lift photo before

The breasts in question appear to have pseudo-ptosis. This means that the breasts appear deflated but the position of the nipple and areola is correct relative to the infra mammary fold. Breast augmentation alone will solve the problem. (Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Breast lift and Breast Augmentation or Augmentation alone.

Your situation is not unique. The breast appearance problem you have is due to skin excess AND gland atrophy.

The question is always “do I need a lift?” and you can already tell from the different opinions you have received that you are pretty much borderline depending on the results you are trying to achieve. If you are not sure, get the BA and if you are not satisfied with the result you can always get the lift later. (Mark A. Schusterman, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Implant alone or combined with a breast lift?

breast lift or not

I’m not surprised you’ve seen a couple plastic surgeons and received a couple different answers. Your situation, while relatively common, is nonetheless one of most interesting and debated case-types we plastic surgeons deal with.

Unfortunately, since your arms are raised in the photos, it’s difficult to gauge the amount of ptosis you have as raising one’s arms tends to elevate the breast and diminish droop. That said, a few general conclusions/recommendations can be made:

First, if the nipple areola lies above the infra mammary crease then you may obtain a reasonable result with a dual plane augmentation.

Second, do not go for a sub glandular augment with a large implant. In short order, you’ll have melon-like breasts sitting low on your chest wall which can only corrected with a lift and switch to submuscular placement.

Before breast lift photo saggey breast

An expensive condition that I unfortunately see too often. Third, with the amount of glandular ptosis you appear to exhibit, I suspect a vertical lift with the submuscular implant will provide the best looking & longest lasting results. The cost will be a scar, while the benefit will be not needing to have a second surgery (lift) later on since everything is accomplished in one sitting (which saves you $).

If you don’t mind the potential cost of a second surgery then, as others have indicated, you could certainly have the augment, wait 6+ months and see how you like the result. If it isn’t what you were hoping for, then a lift could be performed. (William F. DeLuca Jr, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)

Breast augmentation alone or a lift and breast augmentation

a breast lift question

It is not uncommon for different surgeons to have differing opinions if the case is borderline, so don’t stress about the different opinions. Without an in person consult, it is difficult to determine which option would be best for you because of all of the variables involved – skin elasticity, location of the nipple/areola complex, how big you would like to be, etc. One option would be to do what others have suggested and stage the procedures. Have a breast augmentation; and once the implants have settled, then determine if you need a lift as well. The goal of the lift is to center the nipple/areola complex over the central portion of the breast mound. Definitely discuss your options with a board certified plastic surgeon. (Anureet K. Bajaj, MD, Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon)

Expectations in breast augmentation surgery

Left saggy breast

Since your nipples face forward and are just about at the height of the inframammary crease you should do well with an augmentation alone. It really comes down to skin elasticity. The implant will need to be large enough to fill out the base diameter of your breast and provide volume to the upper pole and projection to the central breast. Many times I have patients just like you who do not want a lift due to the scars. You should be aware of the possible shape problems that could occur if you only have the augmentation. If you are not satisfied with the result of an augmentation alone then in the future you could consider a lift but I think an implant alone will be a good choice based on what I see. The key to a satisfied patient is one whose expectations are met. (Jeffrey Zwiren, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)