Leawood Plastic Surgeons

Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Surgery for 21 Year Old?

Hello. I am a healthy 21 year old and had a two-part question. I am considering either Breast Lift or Breast Reduction surgery.

My breasts have always been saggy, but in recent times are getting worse and taking on a "teardrop" like shape/losing volume and really stetching at the beginning of my breast.

Which procedure may best suit my needs? Should I wait until after I have children? (I was considering pumping, instead of feeding (future) baby directly from me) Thanks!!

Yes, your description makes me think you would likely benefit from a breast lift/reduction.  A reduction is also a lift.  It turns out that a lift is also a reduction (it reduces the lower pole of your breasts).  They are really the same operation.  In a breast "reduction" we usually just take out more breast tissue.  The optimal technique is the vertical technique.  The inverted-T technique produces an unflattering boxy shape and excessive scars, although it is still in use.  The "donut" technique that removes tissue around the areola is not very effective in treating sagging. 

 I would recommend that you look at photos of results from different surgeons before proceeding.  There is quite a bit of variation in results, less than for breast augmentation, and you will see fewer examples of breast lifts posted online than augmentations.  If you are satisfied with the results you see, that is a good sign and you may feel more confident about the surgeon you select.  I've attached the relevant section of my own website.

Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

Is Breast Lift for Cup Size A Breasts Worth It?

Hi, I am a size A and nursed 2 children. My breasts did shrink but during pregnancy and nursing, they grew larger than a DD.

Now my size A breasts are no longer firm and the left over fatty tissue sort of was re-distributed and the extra skin falls out of my size A bras and my nipples looked stretched out. (Size B bras are two big on me and I still measure at an A).

I really don't want larger breasts or ANY kind of augmentation. (I like my small breasts) I want my firm size A's back.

An effective breast lift also reduces breast size.  A skin-only "breast lift" typically does not work very well.  In your situation, it is best to use small implants in combination with a breast lift.  This will also correct your stretched out areolae.  So even if you want to stay the same size, you need to have implants.  But they can be saline if you prefer, which are undeniably safe.  You simply need to get past your apprehension about implants, particularly if you want youthful firmness, which implants provide better than stretched-out breast tissue.  I would recommend that you view before and after photos of breast lifts and breast lifts with implants, including patients with small breasts, before making up your mind.  I've attached a link to this portion of my website.

Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

Sagging Breasts: How to Perk Things Up

after babies and i guess aging :( my breasts sag more than i'd like. is breast lift or plastic surgery my only option for getting them perked up again?

Breast implants alone do not help sagging very much.  So a breast lift is usually recommended.  In most of my patients, implants are used simultaneously.  A breast lift alone can help correct extra loose tissue of the lower poles, but does little to restore fullness of the upper poles, which most women desire because this is flattering and looks youthful.  Not all breast lifts are created equal - the vertical technique provides the best shape and least amount of scarring.  I've attached a link to this portion of my website to show examples.

Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon