Breast Implant with Wedge Technique
Reviewed by Dr Daniel Fleming, Medical Director at MINKST – 25+ years of cosmetic surgery experience, 6,000+ breast procedures performed.
Updated August 2026
Not all sagging breasts need a breast lift surgery – could the implants with a wedge technique be the answer for you?
We often have women reaching out who want fuller, more uplifted breasts. They may have sagging as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, or just genetics and time. They want to avoid the extra scars and expense of a breast lift, but implants alone may not be a suitable option.
Do you need a full breast lift – or could implants be enough?
Nipple position is crucial. If your nipples are below the crease under your breast as you look side-on in a mirror, you will probably need a lift not just implants. This is especially so if the nipples are tending to point downwards because this makes any degree of sagging look worse.
The right type of implant placed in the right position can lift the breasts, but only a little bit.
Self-test: Putting your hands on top of your head lifts your nipples about the same amount as the correct implant can. Surgeons often use this test when they examine you, so trying it yourself can give you an indication if you will need a lift.
If your nipples are still at or below the crease with your hands on your head like the examples below, some sort of breast lift as well as implants is likely to be recommended to get optimal results.
Who is a suitable candidate for the wedge technique?
There is a different technique called ‘wedge technique’ which can correct a certain type of sagging breasts without under going a traditional breast lift. It applies to women whose breast tissue sag below the crease but whose nipples are above the crease. See below example:
The technical term for this is pseudoptosis (pronounced soo-doe-toe-sis) which literally means false sagging. Mild versions may only need an implant to fill up the loose breast tissue. If there is too much loose tissue for an implant alone to fill, then a wedge technique may avoid the need for a breast lift.
In summary, you may be a candidate for the wedge technique if:
- Your nipples sit at or above the breast crease
- Your breast tissue (not your nipples) sags below the crease
- There is too much loose tissue for an implant alone to fill, but not enough sagging to require a full lift
The incisions & scarring
The surgeon positions an implant in a way where its lower part is in front of the chest muscle. This is done to ensure the muscle doesn’t get in the way of the implant from filling the loose breast tissue.
Any remaining sagging, is then removed by extending the existing incision under the breast and cutting it out in the shape of a wedge. For example:
Compared with breast implants alone this does result in a longer scar but it remains concealed in the crease under the breast. In contrast to a breast lift, there are no scars on the front of the breasts or around the nipple.
The wedge technique scar sits in the same location as a standard breast augmentation scar (in the inframammary fold) – it is simply longer. For most patients, once healed, this scar is well-concealed and significantly less visible than the scars associated with a lollipop or anchor breast lift.
Most patients with sagging breasts need a breast lift but the wedge technique is an option for some. Of course, only an expert experienced in breast surgery can advise you if it is right for you.
Contact us to see if this procedure is right for you and a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
The wedge technique is a surgical approach that combines breast implants with a small tissue excision (cut in the shape of a wedge) to address a specific type of breast sagging called pseudoptosis — where the breast tissue sags below the crease but the nipple remains at or above it. It can allow some patients to achieve a lifted result without the more extensive scarring of a traditional breast lift.
Pseudoptosis (pronounced soo-doe-toe-sis) means “false sagging.” It refers to a condition where the breast tissue droops below the breast crease, but the nipple itself remains at or above the crease. This is distinct from true ptosis (sagging), where the nipple has dropped below the crease. The wedge technique is specifically designed for cases of pseudoptosis.
A traditional breast lift repositions the nipple and removes excess skin, leaving scars around the areola and, in most cases, vertically down the breast and along the crease. The wedge technique uses only an extension of the incision under the breast crease — there are no scars on the front of the breast or around the nipple. It is suitable only for cases of pseudoptosis, not for significant sagging where the nipple has dropped below the crease.
Yes — the wedge technique results in a longer scar under the breast than a standard breast augmentation incision. However, the scar remains in the same location (in the inframammary fold, i.e. the crease under the breast) and for most patients heals to a pale, flat line that is well-concealed. It is significantly less scarring than a lollipop or anchor breast lift, which involves scars on the front of the breast.
The self-test described in this article is a useful starting point: raise your hands above your head and observe where your nipples sit. If they rise to or above the breast crease, you may be a candidate for implants (with or without a wedge). If your nipples remain below the crease even with arms raised, a full breast lift is likely needed. The only way to know for certain is a consultation with an experienced surgeon who can assess your anatomy directly.