Sagging breasts – how do you know if you need a Breast Uplift or implants?

Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, a nationwide group of clinics with over 35 years of experience specialising in Cosmetic Surgery and Skin and a Trust Pilot 5 star rating. For comprehensive information, before and after photos and costs on Breast Uplift procedures click here or for Breast Augmentation procedures click here.

Our expert Plastic Surgeon Aurora Clinics Founder is the Medical Director for The Private Clinic. Clinics are located in Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Glasgow, London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

For most women, breasts are an important part of their body identity. If you feel your breasts are too small, or too large, it can drastically affect your self-esteem.

But at least in those cases, it’s clear which surgical procedure would help, if surgery’s an option for you.

However, if you’re unhappy with sagging breasts, it’s not quite so cut and dried.

Women who come to see us about sagging breasts or volume loss after pregnancy, weight loss or breastfeeding generally all ask the same question. “Will breast implants work, or do I need a breast lift?”

Correcting sagging breasts – your options

The only reliable way to get a definitive answer as to whether implants will work for you is to be examined by a specialist breast surgeon.

But there are things you can look for in your own breasts.

As a general rule, a breast implant’s job is just to add volume. By and large, it won’t change a breast’s shape, or give it ‘lift’. If you opt for breast implants, your breasts will be basically the same shape as before, only fuller.

So if you have the same basic shape as you always did, but with a hollowed or ‘scooped out’ look, it’s possible breast implants are all you need. They’re perfect for the task of re-filling the empty skin.

But if you feel the whole shape of your breasts has changed, it’s likely you’ll need a breast uplift – either on its own or in combination with implants.

If you aren’t really sure, there are certain signs you can look for, and one of the easiest is your nipple position. If they sit lower than the creases under your breasts, then you’ll likely need a breast lift.

If they aren’t quite that low, but lower than you’d like, measure the distance from the notch at the base of your throat to each nipple. The ideal distance aesthetically is around 18-22cm. Much more than that and a breast lift will get you the best results.

By and large, implants will work for you if:

• Your sagging is mild.
• Your nipples sit around half way down your breast and don’t point downwards.
• You’re happy to increase the size of your breasts by at least one cup size.

But a breast lift is probably best if:

• Your sagging is moderate or severe.
• Your nipples sit at the bottom of your breasts or point downwards.
• You’re already a C cup or larger and don’t want to go bigger.
• Your areola is too large and you’d like it reduced.

Sometimes, a combination of breast implants and uplift is the best option. If you’d like to be larger as well as less droopy, and would like more roundness, particularly in the upper part of your breasts, this may be the way forward.

But the best way to be sure is to book a consultation with a breast surgeon to discuss your options.

Find out more about treating sagging breasts

There’s plenty to think about when you’re considering surgery for sagging breasts – not least the scar. Bear in mind there’ll usually be more visible scarring if you need a breast lift, so you’ll need to decide if the potential aesthetic benefits are worth it.

Aurora Clinics Founder is available for consultations in Buckinghamshire, Northampton and London Harley Street.

At Aurora Clinics part of The Private Clinic, we have a number of specialist breast surgeons with specific experience of correcting sagging breasts. To book a consultation to discuss the best way forward for you, please contact us on 03339209135