Breast Uplift With or Without Implants?
A breast uplift does not automatically mean having breast implants.
This is worth emphasising because many women assume an implant is required to achieve an attractive shape after mastopexy.
Whether one is helpful depends on your existing breast volume and the result you would like.
What can an uplift achieve without implants?
A mastopexy reshapes the breast using your existing tissue.
Excess skin is removed, the nipple is repositioned and the breast is remodelled into a more elevated shape.
If you already have enough breast volume, this may be all that is required.
Depending on your breast shape, your own tissues can be used to ‘auto-augment’ the breast, giving a fuller feel without the implants.
For those looking for a little extra but without implants, fat transfer to the breasts can provide another option to increase volume whilst staying implant free. This can be undertaken in the same sitting although for bigger changes in volume you may want to consider repeat episodes of fat transfer. If you’re keen to discuss your ‘implant free’ options - book a consultation to consider what options may be available to you.
What does adding an implant change?
An implant adds volume.
It can be particularly helpful where pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss has resulted in a significant loss of breast fullness.
An implant can also increase upper-pole fullness — the volume in the upper part of the breast.
Combining an implant with mastopexy is known as an augmentation mastopexy.
What about an “internal bra”?
In selected patients I may discuss additional internal support using surgical mesh.
This is sometimes marketed as an “internal bra”, although I prefer to be cautious with that phrase because no internal device can totally prevent the natural effects of ageing, gravity and future tissue change.
Mesh may provide useful additional support in certain circumstances, but it is not required in every patient.
How do I decide?
Rather than starting with the operation, I start by asking what you want your breasts to look like.
If the priority is primarily to lift and reshape what you already have, mastopexy alone may be appropriate.
If you also want more volume, an augmentation mastopexy may better address your goals.
Book a consultation to go through your options, the risks, recovery and cost of each of these procedures.