Patients who I see in consultation for drooping breasts (ptosis) or volume loss after pregnancy (pseudoptosis) almost always have one very important question: “Can my drooping be corrected with just implants or do I need a lift?”
Here is the answer based on what I look for and ask each patient in my practice setting in Winter Park, Florida.
Implants alone will correct drooping when:
- Breast drooping is mild
- The nipple is still near the center breast and does not point downward
- There is some visible skin beneath the nipple/areola when looking at the breasts straight on.
- The patient is OK with being at least a cup size larger
A breast lift (with or without an implant) is better when:
- Breast drooping is moderate or severe
- The nipple is at the bottom of the breast or points downward
- There is no visible skin under the nipple/areola when looking at the breasts straight on.
- The patient is already a C or D cup breast size and doesn’t want to be larger
- The areola is too large and the patient wants it reduced
I also do a series of breast measurements to make sure they confirm what I believe from my observations and questions.
- If there is a long distance from the nipple and areola to the crease beneath the chest (more than 7 cm stretched skin, about 2 and 1/2 inches) a breast lift is often needed.
- If the patient’s breasts are large and pendulous, a lift or reduction may be needed.
I also show the patient photographs of a spectrum of breast scars present after a breast lifting to check their tolerance for this scar. Most patients are surprised how little the scar shows and are comfortable with proceeding. If the patient really needs a breast lift but is concerned about the scars, I will suggest they wait on surgery. In time, the breast appearance problems will outweigh their concern about the scars.
I use implants in combination with a lift when:
- The patient wants to be larger in addition to being less droopy
- The patient desires to maintain projection and roundness of the breast mound
- The drooping is severe
Please contact my staff to schedule your complimentary consultation so we can determine if an augmentation or lift is what would give you the best result.