Many women think they mught need a lift but are not sure.  Sometimes this is because the breast is deflated, due to age, weight loss, or post-pregnancy.  In this case an implant alone may reexpand the breast without needing a lift. 

A lift is needed when the nipple has fallen below the inframammary fold (IMF)–the crease where the breast and the chest meet.  Since the bottom of an implant will sit at ot above the IMF, if the main part of the breast is below this, then without a lift the implant would ride up high while the breast hangs down low.  A lift will add more cost and more scars than an implant alone, but if that is what a woman needs than that is what she needs.

When the nipple is at the same level as the IMF, it becomes challenging.  Usually we are OK with an implant alone, but the chance remains that the breast will still sag a bit.  This depends on how loose the breast is and the size of the implant.  Sometimes we will need to do a small follow-up procedure to lift the nipple/areola.

When we clearly need a lift, the choice is whether to do a lift alone or a lift with implants.  While a lift with implants is somewhat controversial, I will perform them at one sitting (as opposed to in two stages), but I do think that it raises the complexity considerably.  Of course nobody is forced to select an implant, but many women opt for more volume to help improve their overall breast aesthetics.

And we can always make a woman smaller at the same time as a lift.  In fact the difference between a lift and a reduction is essentially how much tissue is removed.

Whether a lift, an augmentation, or a reduction, we can usually help a woman achieve her goals!