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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Do I have to have implants for a breast lift?

    Related Topic
    Plastic Surgery
    I am happy with the size of my breasts but after having 2 children they do sag. Is it possible to have a breast lift without having implants?
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    Dr Mark McGovern

    Plastic Surgeon

    Hi, my name is Mark McGovern. I am a qualified Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. I have been in practice on the Sunshine Coast since … View Profile

    Absolutely! You only place breast impants when your objective is to have larger breasts. If  breast ptosis or sagging is a problem for you,  then mastopexy or breast lift surgery can be performed. This procedure  removes excess skin and will lift your nipple back to its pre-pregnancy position.

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    Dr Anh Nguyen

    Plastic Surgeon

    Dr Anh Nguyen (MBBS (Hons) PGradDipSurgAnat FRACS (Plast)) is a highly qualified, Australian-trained and registered Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon based in Perth, WA. She … View Profile

    A breast lift can be performed using one's own breast tissue in isolation or in conjunction with breast implants, depending on what objective is to be achieved.

    If the goal is to lift the breast to a position on the chest wall where it once sat, before the effects of pregnancy/lactation/gravity/weightloss took place, then this can be achieved with reshaping of the breast gland, tightening the breast skin envelople and elevating the breast and nipple.

    If the goal is to lift the breast and increase the volume of the breast, then a lift can be performed with implants. This may be the case for those who have deflated/volume-depleted breasts with loose sagging skin where there is not much breast tissue left to simply lift and shape.

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    Dr Jillian Tomlinson

    Hand Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon

    Dr Jill Tomlinson is a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon. After graduating dux in her year at University High School, Jill completed medical … View Profile

    Great question! No, you do not have to have breast implants to have a breast lift. Breast lift surgery (also called mastopexy) can be done without implants in women who are satisfied with their breast size.

    Women who wish to have larger and more uplifted breasts can combine breast lift surgery with implant (augmentation) surgery. The choice is entirely yours.

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    Dr Ross Farhadieh

    Plastic Surgeon

    Mr Farhadieh, is a former recipient of the prestigious Surgeon Scientist Scholarship and an internationally renowned and recognised Australian trained plastic surgeon. Most recently he … View Profile

    Its an interesting quesion and the answer is that it depends. It depends on a number of variables which include: Your current breast size, position, volume, skin condition and of course your expected outcome. 

    In general, its possible to lift the breasts up to a rejuvenated position without implants. However if you think of the breast as a skin envelope, with breast glandular tissues as contents and the nipple as the specialisied peak position. Then to recreate the cone of a youthfull, breast shape will include options such as :

    1)Reducing the skin envelope

    2)Rearranging the breast tissues in a more coned rejuvenated position

    3) Repositioning of the nipples

    4) and possible increase in the atrophied and wasted breast tissues by introduction of an implant for volume reaugmenation, reinflating the deflated skin envelope.

    I hope this has helped. More information on the topic is available on my website.

    http://www.panthea.com.au/breast-surgery/combined-mastopexy-breast-augmentation/

    http://www.panthea.com.au/breast-surgery/mastopexy-breast-lift/

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    Dr Michael Yunaev

    Breast Surgeon, General Surgeon

    Thank you for your question.

    The answer is of course yes.

    The goal of a breast lift is to reshape the breast and this is often a preferred procedure for women who have had chnages to the shape of their breast as a result of pregnancy or weight loss or weight gain for that matter.

    If volume of the breast is the not what you wish it to be, due to deflation post pregnancy for instance, then an augmentation should be considered.  

    Sometimes what women really want is the upper pole fullness that gives the breast a very attractive aesthetic.  Depending on the breast this may require an addition of an implant to the lift procedure, but sometimes you will be able to get way without an implant, particualrly in certain types of bras.

    It becomes a very individual decison and a thorough discussion with your surgeon is important to address your true concerns and goals.

    Hope this helps you make up your mind.

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