March 2025
Do Breast Implants Eliminate
The Need For A Lift?
The allure of a youthful, perky breast-scape leads many women to consider breast surgery — but should you opt for implants, a lift, or both? Each procedure serves a distinct purpose: implants add volume, while a lift addresses sagging. Understanding their differences — and how they can work together — is crucial to achieving your ideal results.
Understanding Breast Implants vs. Breast Lifts
Breast implants and breast lifts aren’t interchangeable — they address different aesthetic goals for women:
Breast implants increase volume, enhancing size and fullness.
Breast lifts reshape the breast tissue, correcting sagging without adding size.
For women dealing with both sagging and volume loss (especially after pregnancy or weight changes), combining implants with a lift offers a fuller, perkier, more youthful look.
Breast Ptosis: What’s Causing the Sag?
Sagging breasts — known as breast ptosis — can result from aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and genetics. Ptosis is categorized into levels:
Pseudoptosis: The nipple remains above the inframammary fold (IMF), but the lower breast tissue droops.
Grade I: The nipple is at the level of the IMF.
Grade II: The nipple falls slightly below the IMF.
Grade III: The nipple sits significantly below the IMF and points downward.
If you’re unsure whether you need a lift, try the “pencil test” — place a pencil under your breast fold. If it stays in place without support, a lift may be necessary.
Read More: 3 Things Your Plastic Surgeon Might Not Tell You About Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift Techniques: Which One’s Right for You?
The type of lift you’ll need depends on the degree of sagging:
Crescent Lift: A small incision along the top of the areola — best for minimal sagging.
Peri-Areolar (Donut) Lift: A circular incision around the areola — ideal for mild sagging.
Vertical (Lollipop) Lift: An incision around the areola and vertically down the breast — corrects moderate sagging.
Inverted T (Anchor) Lift: Adds a horizontal incision along the breast fold — addresses significant sagging.
Dr. John Burns will assess your breast shape, nipple position, and skin elasticity to recommend the right technique in your complimentary plastic surgery consultation.
Do I Need A Breast Lift Or Breast Reduction?
Can Breast Implants Lift Sagging Breasts?
While implants provide some lift by adding volume, they’re not a fix for moderate to severe sagging. Implants mainly restore lost volume — they don’t reposition the nipple or tighten excess skin.
For Pseudoptosis or Grade I Ptosis, implants alone might create enough lift to avoid a separate breast lift. However, Grade II and III Ptosis typically require a breast lift to achieve optimal results.
Learn More: All About Breast Lifts
When to Combine a Breast Lift with Implants
A combined breast lift with implants tackles both sagging and volume loss — ideal for restoring a youthful, balanced look. Benefits of combining procedures include:
One Surgery, One Recovery: A single operation reduces downtime and consolidates anesthesia, facility fees, and recovery.
Balanced Results: Implants restore fullness, while a lift reshapes the breasts and repositions the nipples.
Longer-Lasting Support: Surgeons may use an internal mesh bra (e.g., Durasorb or Galaflex) to reinforce breast tissue and prevent future sagging.
Factors That Influence Breast Sagging
Several factors contribute to sagging — some are unavoidable, while others can be managed:
Aging: Over time, skin loses elasticity, and breast tissue weakens.
Weight Fluctuations: Significant weight changes stretch breast skin, leading to sagging.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Breasts expand and contract, which can cause deflation and drooping.
Genetics: Your skin’s natural elasticity and breast tissue structure play a role.
Considering Breast Implant Removal?
If you’re removing old implants, sagging can become more pronounced — especially if the skin has stretched over time. A breast lift may be needed to restore shape and reposition the nipple. During a consultation, Dr. Burns will evaluate your implants’ condition and determine whether a lift, replacement, or both are appropriate.
Recovery, Risks, and What to Expect
Both breast lifts and augmentations come with similar recovery timelines — typically 4 to 6 weeks for full healing. Combining procedures may extend recovery slightly. Common side effects include bruising, swelling, soreness, and temporary changes in nipple sensation.
Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial to ensure a safe, effective outcome — and to minimize risks like infection, scarring, or implant complications.
Your Aesthetic Goals Matter
Ultimately, the decision to get implants, a lift, or both comes down to your personal aesthetic goals. Do you want fuller, rounder breasts? A lift with no added volume? Or a combination to restore shape and size?
A thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon ensures a personalized, strategic surgical plan. Together, you’ll discuss:
Your breast anatomy and degree of sagging.
Desired size, shape, and overall appearance.
Implant type (silicone vs. saline), size, and placement.
Surgical techniques and incision options.
Recovery timelines and post-op expectations.
Blog: In-depth With Dr. Burns- Your Breast Augmentation Consult
The Bottom Line: Implants, Lift, or Both?
If you’re looking to enhance breast size, implants might be enough — but if you struggle with sagging a breast lift could be the better solution. For many, combining both offers the best of both worlds: fuller, perkier, more youthful-looking breasts.
Consulting with Dr. John Burns is the first step toward determining the right approach for your body and goals. A personalized surgical plan ensures beautiful, long-lasting results — tailored uniquely to you. Dr. Burns offers complimentary in-office and virtual consults for women throughout the world who are considering cosmetic breast surgery.
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