Will Implants Improve My Breast Ptosis?
Many patients seeking breast augmentation wonder whether implants alone can correct breast sagging, which is medically known as ptosis. Those seeking a larger bustline often wish to reduce ptosis as part of the same procedure.
With this in mind, it is important to understand what specific procedures can and cannot achieve. While breast implants can add volume and create a fuller upper pole, they cannot reposition sagging tissue or elevate the breast mound. In other words, implants alone will not resolve breast ptosis.
Being mindful of the differences between each procedure – and when combining them may be ideal – can allow you to move forward with confidence. Our Philadelphia plastic surgeon shares additional details below.
What Is Ptosis?
Breast ptosis refers to the descent of breast tissue and/or the nipple-areolar complex over time. It is a common concern that can result from aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other factors. In ptotic breasts, the skin and ligaments lose their elasticity, leading to a downward shift in position and a deflated appearance.
The degree of ptosis can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, the nipple may still sit above the inframammary fold (or the crease under the breast); more advanced sagging can involve the nipple falling at or below the level of the fold, often pointing downward.*
These structural changes cannot be corrected with volume alone. Rather, excess skin will need to be removed and the breast mound reshaped and elevated, which is what surgeons aim to do when performing breast lift surgery (or mastopexy).
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are prosthetic devices made of silicone or saline, designed to increase breast size and create a more balanced figure. They can be placed either above the pectoral muscle (subglandular), between the chest muscle and chest wall (submuscular), or via the dual-plane technique (partially behind both the pectoral muscle and breast gland). The type of implants chosen and the method in which they are placed will depend on the patient’s unique anatomy and preferences; that said, Dr. DiBello has observed that the submuscular technique generally produces the best outcome.
While quality implants can be highly effective at restoring lost volume and producing a more prominent bustline, they are not able to physically lift the breast tissue or reposition the nipple. Patients with good skin tone and minimal to no sagging are usually excellent candidates for standalone augmentation. However, for those who want to combat ptosis, an implant-only strategy is unlikely to deliver the desired aesthetic outcome.
When to Consider a Breast Lift With Implants
When significant sagging is present, breast lift strategies can often be incorporated into augmentation procedures to enhance both shape and support. This dual procedure is known as a breast lift with implants or augmentation-mastopexy (BAM).
When both volume enhancement and tissue elevation are needed, a breast lift with implants can offer the most comprehensive transformation. This combined procedure aims to address multiple aspects of breast aesthetics: it can restore fullness, lift the breast mound to a more youthful position, reposition the nipple if necessary, and improve symmetry.
Combining a lift with implants may be recommended for those who wish to address:
- Deflation and sagging after pregnancy, nursing, aging, or weight fluctuations
- Downturned or low-positioned nipples that have shifted below the breast crease
- Asymmetry between the breasts in both shape and position
- Desire for a perkier, more youthful contour along with added volume
Dr. DiBello adopts a highly individualized framework when determining whether a breast lift should be incorporated into your augmentation. In some cases, a staged approach (in which the lift and augmentation are performed in separate surgeries) may be more appropriate to achieve the safest and most effective results.
The Bustline You Desire
The best treatment for breast ptosis depends on your anatomy, skin elasticity, aesthetic priorities, and personal preferences. While implants alone can improve volume, they are not a substitute for the tissue repositioning that a lift provides. For this reason, patients who are unhappy with both size and sagging often find that a breast lift with implants delivers the most satisfying outcome.
During your consultation with Dr. Joseph DiBello, your goals, skin quality, nipple position, and degree of drooping will be carefully evaluated. Based on this assessment, a customized surgical plan will be developed to help you achieve a more lifted and naturally enhanced bustline.
If you are considering breast surgery and would like professional guidance on how to best address ptosis or volume loss, we welcome you to contact DiBello Plastic Surgery today.