When I consult with women considering breast augmentation who have had children or whose breasts have lost some of their youthful shape, the question is almost inevitable: “Is it possible to get breast implants without a lift?” This is one of the choices I help breast augmentation patients make.
In this third and final blog post in the Breast Augmentation Choices series, I’ll discuss why a breast lift is—or isn’t—needed in certain cases. And I’ll review why, in some cases, a breast augmentation without a lift is the best path.
Why Combine a Lift With Augmentation?
Some patients believe that breast implants can create a lifted appearance for their breasts. That’s rarely true, and I talk more about this and other breast lift myths in a related blog post.
In reality, if a patient’s breasts already show moderate sagging, implants can worsen that condition. That’s because the purpose of breast implants is to add volume, and the additional weight of them pulls the breasts down. A breast lift combined with implants reshapes the breasts and provides support for the implants.
I may also recommend a breast lift if a patient’s breasts are noticeably asymmetrical. Breast augmentation alone won’t provide balance between different-sized breasts.
A Breast Lift Without Implants
In some cases, a patient is happy with the size of her breasts but disappointed with their shape. A breast lift can change the shape and position of the breasts. But even in these cases, modest-sized implants may yield even better results.
Finally, if the decision to combine a breast lift with implants is borderline, it’s good to remember that having both procedures performed at the same time is more economical because patients will only pay certain fees (such as an operating room fee) once.
You can read more about the actual breast lift procedure from The Aesthetic Society.
Are Breast Lift Scars Prominent?
Patients usually want to avoid a breast lift, if possible, because they’re worried about scars. I take great care to minimize incisions and carefully suture them to limit scarring. I also recommend ways to make the incisions less visible with time, including the use of topical anti-scarring ointments. Take a look at my patients’ breast lift scars in their before-and-after photos on this page to see how faint they appear.
Discuss Your Breast Augmentation and Lift Options
If you’re ready to discuss your best breast augmentation options with a plastic surgeon in Sacramento, request a consultation using our online form. You can also call my office at (916) 929-1833 to schedule an appointment.
Originally published in August 2017; updated in August 2024
Breast Augmentation Choices Series:
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