You don’t always need implants with a breast lift, but many women do choose to have at least a small implant. The reason is that as your breasts sag, they usually have a flat appearance on the chest wall. A breast lift with an implant will create fullness at the top of the breast. Your doctor will help you decide if you need a lift with an implant.
Breast Lift
Recently Answered
-
2 AnswersA
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredA mastopexy is simply a "breast-lift." The three main types of mastopexies are: 1) periareolar lift or crescent lift 2) Vertical mastopexy or lolli-pop lift 3) Formal mastopexy also known as an "anchor scar." The function of the mastopexy is to elevate the nipple-areolar complex and tighten the breast. The type of lift depends on the extent of breast ptosis. Grade1- nipple at the inframammary fold (periareolar lift) Grade2- nipple 1-2cm below the inframammary fold (vertical lift) Grade3- nipple is greater than 3cm below the fold (formal lift-anchor scar). -
2 AnswersA
Tara Whitworth, MSN , Nursing, answeredSee All 2 AnswersThe cost of a lift varies from state to state. The total cost is determined by several factors, such as the type of lift, whether or not an implant is used, surgeon’s fees, facility fees, and anesthesia fees. In general, it can cost anywhere from several thousand dollars all the way up to $20,000, but most facilities offer payment options, such as a payment plan or financing.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredCandidates for breast lifts usually include women who have a severe amount of sagginess to their breasts. This usually will include those individuals whose nipples are located below the inframammary fold. The inframammary fold is the crease under the breast and is the demarcation line when the doctor determines the degree of sagginess, (referred to as ptosis in Latin). Where the nipple lies in relation to the inframammary fold gives us the degree of ptosis. Very severe ptosis, with the position of the nipple well below the fold, indicates a need for a breast lift in which skin is removed both underneath the areola and along the fold.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredA vertical breast lift involves removing skin in a donut fashion around the areola and lifting it below the areola in a vertical plane up and down. This will often allow for a nice tightening of a breast with moderate skin laxity. Often an implant is placed behind the muscle if the patient doesn’t have enough breast tissue and/or volume.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredPrior to having a breast lift, I encourage patients to undergo a preoperative mammogram and/or ultrasound. As with a breast reduction, this will provide a baseline road map as to what the breasts looks like. We pay special attention to fibroadenomas (small little benign tumors) or cysts in the breasts, which can more easily be seen postoperatively or after your surgery. Any patient over the age of thirty-five should always have a mammogram and/or ultrasound prior to surgery, I cannot stress this enough.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredA type of breast lift that is available is the periareolar or crescent lift, where a small amount of skin is removed from above the areola and the nipple complex is moved up. This is useful only in very, very mild cases of breast ptosis or sagginess. Often, this is combined with a breast implant placed under the muscle.
Unfortunately, the results from this procedure are not very good. It does not address a truly severe amount of skin laxity. Some patients try this procedure in order to avoid a full breast lift, but they end up returning and having a total breast lift performed. -
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredA full breast lift or formal mastopexy usually addresses the most severe form of ptosis, grade III, where there is a great deal of skin laxity involved. To correct this problem, we use the Wise-pattern or anchor-scar lift. This is usually going to produce the most beautifully shaped breast because it is really addressing all the problems of a sagging breast. These include too much skin below the areola in a vertical plane (up and down), as well as excess skin along the fold. I perform this procedure most of the time for severe skin laxity/looseness. When combined with implants in patients with loss of breast volume, especially after breast-feeding, this technique leads to beautifully shaped breasts.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredStudies show that anywhere between five and fifteen percent of women will lose the ability to lactate or breast-feed following a breast lift procedure. This is a very important factor to consider when deciding to have this operation. No plastic surgeon can guarantee that you will have one-hundred percent sensitivity or the ability to breast-feed after a breast lift or breast reduction procedure.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredIf you have excess skin, and just have a breast augmentation without the breast lift; it will lead to a "rock in a sock" appearance. The implant will end up at the bottom of the breast a short time after surgery and will make the skin sag even worse.
I always advise this type of patient that if she isn't willing to have the lift, then the augmentation will be a disappointment. If the patient still insists, I refuse to do the surgery. If you have excess skin and go to a surgeon who tells you that you can get away with just an augmentation, seek a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon or you most likely end up unhappy with your result.