Breast Augmentation With Lift vs. Without (Updated 2023)

Dr. Lewis is often asked, “Will breast augmentation fix my saggy breasts?” Many patients with a bit of breast sagging hope that breast implants will “take up the slack” and leave their breasts both full and perky. The question of whether to lift or not with your implants is a good one; unfortunately there is no one simple answer to this question. Dr. Lewis can give you a personalized answer during your breast augmentation consultation, but below you’ll find some general guidelines about breast lifts and implants.

Will Breast Implants Fix Sagging Breasts?

Breast implants are designed to increase your breast volume. They don’t do any actual lifting, although in some women, an implant can correct a small degree of ptosis (sagging). Implants will increase your chest size, but they don’t do anything to correct the underlying causes of sagging. If your breasts are sagging now, implants likely won’t fix the problem. Adding implants without a breast lift in a woman with significant sagging can actually make the problem worse. You’ll just end up with larger, sagging breasts. A breast lift, either before or with your implant surgery, may lead to better results.

Do I Need a Breast Lift With My Breast Augmentation?

When you come in for your breast augmentation consultation Dr. Lewis will carefully examine your body and help you determine if a breast lift is needed to obtain the results you want to achieve. One of the primary factors used in making this determination is the placement of the nipple on the breast. As breasts begin to sag, breast volume shifts lower in the breast. When a majority of breast tissue falls below the nipple, a lift may be needed. If your nipple points downward (instead of outward) you will probably need a lift.

If I Need a Breast Lift With Augmentation, Will I Have Bigger Scars?

A breast lift does normally require some additional incisions but, depending on the severity of your sagging, they may not be noticeable. Dr. Lewis will use his advanced surgical skill to minimize the appearance of scarring as much as possible. Dr. Lewis will explain your options during your consultation.

• Donut Incision– For mild breast sagging, a breast lift with a donut incision may be performed. This incision is made around the areola. Once healed, it can be very difficult to see.
• Lollipop Incision– Dr. Lewis uses this incision type the most for breast lift surgery. An incision is made around the areola and vertically from the bottom of the areola to the base of the breast. This allows for significant removal of excess skin to create a youthful and natural breast shape.
• Anchor Incision– For women with advanced sagging, an anchor incision may be used. It uses the same incisions as a lollipop incision, but also adds a horizontal incision at the base of the breast. This provides the most significant change to breast shape.

Can I Have a Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation at the Same Time?

For many patients, breast augmentation and a breast lift can be performed at the same time. Dr. Lewis will lift the breasts, reposition and resize the nipple if necessary, and then place the implants. This allows you to achieve both an increase in volume and perkiness through one surgery. If you have a large degree of ptosis (breast sagging) two surgeries may be needed, a breast lift first, followed by augmentation.

Do I need a breast lift with my implants? The answer to this question isn’t a simple one; come see Dr. Lewis for personalized recommendations for your needs. Give us a call today at (804) 267-6009 to schedule your consultation.