What Type of Breast Lift is Right for You?

During your consultation, Dr. Parker will explain the degree to which your breasts have sagged. Based on the amount of sagging, he will discuss appropriate treatment options to help make your breasts look more youthful.

I have just a minor amount of sagging

In patients with normal breast anatomy, Grade 1 ptosis and pseudoptosis (breast parenchyma below the level of the fold) who would like larger breasts, breast augmentation alone will provide a nice improvement. This will not only increase the size of the breast, but lift it somewhat higher on the chest wall, as shown in the pictures below before and after breast augmentation alone.

Before & After Breast Augmentation

Front view of woman\'s chest before and after breast enlargement — Before After
Breast augmentation alone helped correct grade 1 ptosis, or mild sagging, for this patient.

Before & After Dual-Plane Breast Augmentation

Front view of woman\'s chest before and after breast lift surgery — Before After
Dr. Parker uses a “dual plane” breast augmentation technique to help patients with mild sagging improve breast position without having a breast lift too.

I have moderately sagging breasts

Patients with Grade 2 ptosis will need re-positioning of the nipple-areolar complex upward with a mastopexy. The type of mastopexy will depend on the severity of the ptosis. Options typically include a crescent, peri-areolar, or vertical mastopexy.

Crescent and peri-areolar mastopexy procedures usually require the insertion of a breast implant to restore lost volume in the upper portion of the breast.

A vertical mastopexy is a powerful operation. Depending on the amount of breast tissue present and your desired outcome, Dr. Parker will discuss your options for performing a vertical mastopexy with breast implants, a fat transfer or auto-augmentation, or a breast life alone. Examples of these options are shown in the before & after pictures below:

Before & After Crescent Mastopexy with Implants

Front view of woman\'s chest before and after breast lift — Before After
Before & after crescent mastopexy with implants to correct moderate sagging

Before & After Peri-areolar Mastopexy with Implants

Front view of woman\'s chest before and after breast surgery — Before After
Before & after peri-areolar mastopexy with implants to correct moderate ptosis

Before & After Vertical Mastopexy with Implants

Before & After Vertical Mastopexy Alone

I have extensive sagging & stretched skin

Patients with Grade 3 ptosis will need re-positioning of the nipple-areolar complex upward with a vertical or inverted T mastopexy, depending on the severity of the ptosis. Additional options include the insertion of a breast implant, as well, if the patient desires more fullness in the upper portion of the breast. Examples of these are shown in the pictures below before and after mastopexy surgery:

Before & After Vertical Mastopexy with Implant

Before & After Inverted T Mastopexy

I have tuberous breasts or another unique case

Patients with parenchymal maldistribution, in conditions such as tuberous breasts, need to add fullness to the lower pole of the breast, lower of the inframammary fold, and lengthen the distance from the fold to the nipple, as well as a peri-areolar mastopexy to reduce the size of the areola. A breast implant is inserted through a peri-areolar approach to maintain these changes in the breast.