What Type Of Lift Do I Need For My Very Saggy And Deflated Breasts?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have decided I am done having children and am considering a breast lift with implants. Two children and nursing have taken quite a toll of my breasts. They are just two sacks of hanging skin now. What type of implant or lift I need? I don’t want to look completely fake, but a more perky and fuller breasts would be a big improvement. Is this even achievable after having nursed two kids? How soon before surgery do I need to stop breastfeeding?

A: The ‘two sacks of skin’ breast look is very common after multiple pregnancies, particularly in women who have small to  moderately-sized breasts beforehand. When the breast tissue involutes (shrinks) after pregnancy, the stretched out skin collapses and falls over the inframammary crease. (lower breast fold) In each of these cases of breast sagging (with little to no breast volume), a combined breast implant and lift is needed. Usually either a vertical (lollipop) or combined vertical and horizontal (anchor) breast lift is needed and the resultant scar trade-off is unavoidable. A breast implant, regardless of size, adds volume but in and of itself will not lift the sagging nipple back up to a satisfactory position. You will need to stop breastfeeding three months before undergoing breast lift and implant surgery to give the engorged breasts time to fully ‘deflate’.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana