There is a seemingly inextricable cultural link between breasts and femininity, which perhaps explains why there are so many surgical procedures to improve the size, shape, position, and projection of the breasts.
Women who are happy with the overall size of their breasts, but not the shape or position, may be good candidates for a breast lift. Meanwhile, other women who are seeking relief from the array of problems overly large breasts can cause may consider breast reduction surgery.
If you’re undecided or confused about which surgery might be best for your unique situation, this post will examine the differences between the two procedures.
Reasons for Seeking a Breast Lift
To determine what is best for you, you must first outline what you are hoping to achieve with breast surgery. If your chief concern is sagging or drooping breast tissue, you will want to investigate the benefits of a breast lift, also called a mastopexy. The goal of this surgery is to reshape and reposition the breasts to create a younger-looking silhouette.
As we age, many women encounter changes in their breasts because of gravity, hormonal fluctuations, weight changes, or breastfeeding. Volume loss and a change of shape are the two most common complaints among women seeking breast lift surgery.
Most women who opt for a breast lift struggle with the following due to their breast position:
- Embarrassment about their drooping breasts
- Breasts that have lost volume in the upper pole and now appear flat or deflated
- Downward-pointing nipples that fall below the breast crease
- Stretched-out skin due to weight gain, aging, and breastfeeding
- Breast asymmetry
Breast Lifts Do Not Lead to Smaller Breasts
In performing a breast lift surgery, your cosmetic surgeon will reshape your breast tissue, remove excess skin, and reposition your breasts to sit higher on your chest. Because a breast lift creates a perkier shape, your breasts may appear somewhat smaller after this surgery, but your actual amount of breast tissue will remain the same, and you’ll wear the same cup size.
Goals of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breasts that are overly large for your frame can be embarrassing. They can also lead to postural issues and back, neck, and shoulder pain. Having oversized breasts can prevent some women from living the lifestyle they want because they can even limit physical activities and specific styles of clothing.
A breast reduction surgery can provide you with relief from these issues by removing excess skin and fatty tissue to create smaller, more shapely breasts. A skilled breast surgeon can reduce a significant amount of volume in performing this procedure. You’ll need to buy new bras after your recovery.
Most women who opt for a breast reduction struggle with the following:
- Limited physical activity
- Shoulder, neck, and back pain
- Incorrect posture
- Difficulty breathing and sleeping
- Chronic skin irritation between or beneath the breasts
- Trouble finding clothing that is supportive and that fits well
Breast Reduction Surgeries Do Not Reposition the Breasts
Often, after having the size of their breasts reduced, women report feeling lighter and more comfortable with their appearance. While the surgery may give you a more youthful breast profile, your breasts will sit in the same position on your chest after having a breast reduction.
Reduction vs. Lift: How to Decide
Although the goals and overall outcomes of these procedures are different, both surgeries share similar qualities: when performed by an experienced surgeon, they have a long-established track record of safety, and most women undergoing these surgeries report being satisfied with their results.
Breast surgery patients typically say they feel younger and more confident in their appearance, especially when wearing specific styles of clothes – or nothing at all. They are also able to keep any scars private, even in low-cut blouses or swimsuits.
While many women are able to determine whether they’d most benefit from a breast lift or a breast reduction, some women choose to have both at once in a combined surgery. No two breast surgery patients are the same, and regardless of your reasons for seeking to improve yourself through cosmetic surgery, we respect your goals. In some cases, combining a breast reduction with a lift will provide you with even better results than getting one of these procedures on its own. On the other hand, you may consider pairing your breast lift surgery with breast augmentation if you have less volume than you’d like.
There are no wrong answers when it comes to making a decision this personal. If you are researching breast surgery, schedule your consultation today.