Does a Breast Lift Always Result in Dramatically Smaller Breasts? Doctor Answers, Tips
Breast Lift: Q&A
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Does a Breast Lift Always Result in Dramatically Smaller Breasts?

I went in for an uplift on my size 36 g breast and have come out a 36 D, i am traumatised by the whole operation and very upset at being so small.

I knew he would have to reduce them but not by 3 cup sizes, is this normal? do they have to always make your breast much smaller to achieve this?

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42 Doctor Answers | Asked by kaye mosson in england
+5

Breast lift does reduce bra size

Although the amount of skin removed with a breast lift is not much, the bra size usually goes down by one size after a breast lift. therefore, it might be able to compensate for this by adding breast volume with a breast implant.
+5

Breast Lift Changes Bra Cup Size

Cup sizing is based not just on volume, but also the width of the breast. With mastopexy (breast lift), the breast is not simply lifted to a better position on the chest; the breast is reshaped.  The droopy breast is often flattened and widened, rather than full and round ("perky"). In recreating the more perky shape of the breast during breast lift, the base of the breast (the width from breast bone to side of the ribcage) is tightened, making the breast less wide.... more
+5

A breast lift alone should not alter breast size

A breast lift alone should not alter breast size. The skin removed from a breast during a breast lift has very little mass. Perhaps you had a breast reduction, a lift combined with a reduction in the size of the breast. It is also possible that the size was not actually reduced, but the lift caused the breast shape to change and for you to feel more comfortable in a different size bra.

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+5

It sounds as though you had a communication gap with...

It sounds as though you had a communication gap with your doctor. A G cup patient would, in almost any surgeon's eye, need a "breast reduction" to improve symptoms and make the breasts a better size match for the rest of your body. A reduction essentially always includes a lift. A lift alone, however, doesn't require your breasts to become much smaller if all of your breast tissue is preserved and just the skin envelope is reshaped and reduced. On the other hand, if you just lift... more
+5

I would be interested to learn why you had a breast...

I would be interested to learn why you had a breast reduction (it does not sound like you had a breast 'lift' or mastopexy) in the first place? Certainly with size 'G' breasts, you might have had neck and back pain, posture problems or hygeine issues. If this was the case, have these troublesome symptoms resolved? If they have, then you achieved one of the important goals of the procedure, and that something to be happy about! As far as the breast size reduction, you insurance carrier might... more
+4

Breast lifts are on the same spectrum as breast reduction

Ms. Mosson: A breast lift is a small breast reduction, in the fact that the surgeon usually remodels the breast by excising excess skin and breast tissue, as well as repositioning the nipple-areolar complex to a more favorable position.  The "uplift" portion relies on the preservation of the nipple-areolar complex' blood supply and there are at least 4-5 pedicles or  techniques which can be employed.  Frequently, a surgeon will resect a portion of breast... more
+2

Breast lift and bra size

A breast lift is different from a breast reduction, and does not necessarily involve removal of breast tissue. A pure lift removes excess skin and repositions the nipple and breast tissue within the new smaller skin envelope. A breast reduction will lift the breast as part of the reduction. Based on your comment, it sounds like some degree of reduction was planned as part of your lift. It is possible your surgeon removed only a small amount of breast tissue along with the excess breast skin,... more
+2

Breast lift should not significantly alter breast size

In general, the breasts do not have to be made smaller when undergoing a breast lift. The only thing that has to be removed is the loose skin and maybe a small amount (a few grams) of breast tissue to allow proper molding of the tissue. This should not change your cup size significantly. On the other hand, a breast reduction can be performed at the same time as a breast lift if desired.
+2

The simple answer to you question is that all breast...

The simple answer to you question is that all breast lifts do not require a reduction in the size of the breast. But it sounds like you may have had some miscommunication with your surgeon. Part of the process for getting good surgical results with this procedure is not only matching the breast lift to the patient's body proportions but also to listen to the patient and get a real sense of what they are looking for. Some women are very clear that they do not want to change the size of... more
+2

Not always!

When women typically come in looking for a breast lift, they are usually only concerned with the position of their breasts outside of a bra. They typically do not have much in the way of problems related to overtly large breasts such as back pain, extremity numbness, open sores, etc. Most women with 36G cup breasts probably have some type of symptomatology. For the woman without symptoms, a lift usually requires little in the way of extra tissue removal. Hopefully, you and your surgeon... more
+1

Results of a Breastlift

Mastopexy (breastlifts) usually do not result in smaller breasts. It is ultimately to improve shape and contour, however, with the periareolar or inverted T or vertical fashion. One can improve breast shape and size with an augmentation concomitantly. This must be done in carefully selected patients.
+1

Loss of Breast Tissue Following Breast Lift Surgery

Many patients are very happy with the size of their breast, but have developed breast sag over the course of time. This potentially affects their self esteem, self image, self confidence, sexuality and feelings of femininity. For these reasons they often request breast lift surgery in an effort to correct this problem. When breast lift surgery is performed the excess skin is removed and the remaining breast tissue is lifted into place. Breast tissue can be removed when... more
+1

Lift

Most breast lifts require a small amount of breast to be removed in order to reshape them and to lift them. The real question here is how many grams of tissue that was removed, not the cup size change
+1

Does a breast lift always result in dramatically smaller breasts?

Your cup size is not always guaranteed with a reduction. Be sure you and your surgeon have good communication and a clear understanding of the outcome.
+1

Does a Breast Lift Always Result in Dramatically Smaller Breasts?

A breast lift usually involves removing mostly skin although it will sometimes make your breasts smaller depending on the shape and size of your breasts. A breast reduction will drastically reduce the size of your breasts in most cases.
+1

Does a breast lift make the breasts smaller.

Thank you for your question. I think for many this is a source of confusion. An isolated breast lift only removes only skin from the breast. It does not remove the underlying fatty tissue or the volume. So in a simple isolated breast lift if the breast loses any size it is minimal if any. The skin does not weigh that much. If your breasts are asymmetric your Dr. may recommend some degree of volume reduction simply to make the breasts more even... more
+1

Does breast lift reduce the volume of the breast?

Breast lift surgery does not reduce the volume of the breasrt as no tissue is taken out A small amount of skin is removed that is of minimal volume A lifted breast may look smaller ,as it is compressed ,but the bra size remains the same Breast reduction is a totally different procedure.Breast tissue is removed to reduce the size of the breasts
+1

Post surgical breast size should be discussed before your surgery.

Your question is an important one when you seek breast lifts for large breasts. Your plastic surgeon's examination and discussion with you at your consultation is critical to determine how much breast tissue must be removed to assure a safe (low tension) closure of your surgical incisions. For example, with breast lifts, larger breasts with very loose skin can be closed with less actual breast tissue removal than larger breasts fully filled with underlying breast tissue ( a very... more
+1

Breast lifts only minimally decrease breast size.

A breast lift only removes the excess skin of the breast and places all the breast tissue originally there, up inside a smaller envelope of skin, while elevating the nipple and areola to the correct position. As only skin is removed, the amount of weight removed is minimal. However if a patient has very large breasts and only a lift is done, the weight of the breasts can cause the breasts to sag again and the scars to widen. In these cases a reduction of some of the breast... more
+1

Breast Lift and Size Reduction

For patients that are 36 G, often symptoms occur such as neck and back pain, shoulder grooving from bra straps, and problems with hygiene in the area below your breasts. For a lift, your surgeon may have indicated that he / she needs to do a reduction. A reduction would make sense to try to get rid of your symptoms and also to have nice "perkier" breasts which is often requested by patients. It is critical that this concept of lift alone or lift with reduction... more
+1

Cup size usually the same

A breast lift aims to only LIFT the breast, not reduce it. That is why the only thing removed is the excess loose skin - NO breast tissue is removed. In fact, many of my patients look bigger after a lift, because the breast tissue is all gathered together instead of spread out throughout a loose skin envelope. I can only conjecture about your change in cup size, but I do have two thoughts. First, your size and sagging pre-operatively may have made it hard to... more
+1

Breast lifting and cup size?

Thank you for the question. It is hard to promise or predict final cup size after breast surgery. With breast lifting, even though no breast tissue is removed, the breast shape and position are changed. This change in position and shape may result in a different cup size or a different level of filling the cup of a bra. For example, a breast that sits lower on the chest wall may require a larger cup size bra than the same volume breast sitting higher on the... more
+1

A breast lift should not make your breast smaller

A breast lift should not make your breast smaller. However with G cup size breasts, neck back and bra strap symptoms are commonly treated by reduction mammaplasty. Perhaps you should discuss with your treating surgeon the specifics of the procedure performed for you.
+1

Smaller breasts after lift

The volume you see in a bra represents the breast and sin together.  Technically when you perform most breast lift procedures you will have to remove some skin to reshape the breast.  This should reduce the overall volume if the breast, but with its better position it may actually feel fuller not necessarily larger.  I would ask your surgeon how much volume of breast tissue was removed.
+1

Tightening can make size decrease.

Hello, A breast lift tightens the skin around the breasts. This does not always but can make things smaller. A several cup size change like you mention is not common with just a breast lift . I would see your surgeon and ask about the technique he used.   Best Regards,   John Di Saia MD 
+1

Do the breasts get smaller after a loft?

The breast lift should not significantly make the breasts smaller. In fact a lift could make the breast look bigger. There often remains a hollowness on the upper pole of the breasts which is very difficult to restore with a lift alone. That is why an implant is often needed to get the optimal result.
+1

Breast Lift, mastopexy pricing in North Carolina

For some patients with a significant amount of existing breast tissue, a breast lift alone may produce an acceptable breast appearance. However, it is difficult to achieve fullness in the upper poles (the cleavage area) of the breasts by means of a breast lift alone. In consultations I ask patients how important it is for them to have the appearance of some fullness in the upper part of the breasts, and thereby achieve a significantly more youthful breast profile. For patients that... more
+1

Breast lift with or without reduction

When performing a mastopexy (breast lift) on someone with very large breasts, I feel that it is necessary to perform some reduction of the breast volume as well in order to optimally shape the breasts.  In patients with relatively small breasts, I usually do not need to remove any glandular breast tissue, and often the breasts appear a bit larger than they did before surgery, simply because we are lifting the tissue and, in essence, bringing it together which makes the breast... more
+1

Size changes with breast lift

A mastopexy or breast lift only involves redistribution of your breast tissue and raising your nipple and areola to the normal position.  A mastopexy-reduction would involve removal of some of the breast tissue to make your breasts smaller.  However, even with just a mastopexy or lift, your breast may appear slightly smaller even though they are the same volume.  This is due to the redistribution of tissue, not the removal of tissue.  I hope this is helpful.... more
+1

Breast reduction with breast lift

Breast lifting does not necessarily imply a reduction in the volume of the breasts, rather a change in its shape and correction of the droopy appearance. However, with very large breasts such as a "G" cup, it may be advisable to remove some breast tissue in order to allow a better and longer lasting result. These considerations should be discussed with the patient prior to surgery.
+1

Breast Lift expectations

The key to ensuring a fully satisfied patient is to first understand clearly during the consultation process the patient's needs, objectives, medical condition, medical history and lifestyle so that the board certified plastic surgeon can recommend the most appropriate surgical plan. Then the surgeon needs to discuss the possible benefits, risks, and expected outcome with the patient. Unforessen results can occur but a sound consultation process will help minimize misunderstandings. more
+1

Breast lift and breast size

When a surgeon operates on 36G breast size, it is nearly impossible to create a lift without reducing the breast somewhat.  I suspect you had a significant breast droop with your breast size.  Your surgeon should have discussed with you your expectationos and possible outcome. On the other hand, for most patients with D or C cup breasts that are planning to undergo breast lift, the breast size will not decreas significantly.
+1

Breast lifts have a small component of reduction

Most lifts remove some tissue to get the lift that you desire. Think about it this way, the tissue between your nipple and the clavicle is stretched on longer. You want it to be shorter to lift the breasts- the only way is to remove some volume somewhere.
+1

Breast lift surgery can produce the results you want

  There are many different types of breast lift surgery and reduction techniques. Your best bet is to schedule an evaluation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is very experienced in breast lift surgery. He or she will be able to evaluate your tissue and let you know how much needs to be removed to achieve your aesthetic goals. If you aren't even a small reduction it is very possible to perform this surgery with a limited incision only around the areola. more
+1

Breasts smaller after lift

Thanks for your question - Breast lifts can make breasts seem smaller.  Part of this has to do with the distribution of the volume of the breast in a more anatomic position. The way to really tell from a volume standpoint how much smaller your breasts are is to ask your surgeon for the amount of tissue resected. In our San Francisco area practice it is typically less than 10 grams per breast (0.022 pounds).  I hope this helps.
+1

Breast lifts for women with DD and larger cup sizes can also result in substantial reduction

The answer to this question depends greatly on the size of each patients breast. Breast Lift Surgery in its most basic form is accomplished by removing a measured pattern of skin from the breast and compressing the internal breast contents into the smaller remaining skin envelope. If the surgeon is unable to include all of the breast contents in this smaller skin envelope then some breast tissue will have to be sacrificed in order to bring the pattern together. The surgeon should be able to... more
+1

Smaller breasts from lift depends on the breast size

A small breast lift might not result in a significant reduction in the size or volume of the breast. However, when the size of the breast is a 36g, a size reduction is a must as a large amount of skin and tissue remodeling must be done to get a good result. It is important to have a good communication with your plastic surgeon about the size. If you very unhappy about the new size the only way around is a small breast implant.hope that helps.
+1

Your breast size can be, but does not have to be changed with a lift

Breast lifting can be done in many ways, with or without removing breast tissue and making the breast smaller. In some cases, breast implants can be used simultaneously and in fact make the breast larger. The key to the optimal operation is good communication with your plastic surgeon so he or she understands your wishes and can provide you with proper expectations.
+1

No

Breast lifts do not result in smaller breast save for the volume of skin that needs to be removed as part of the operation.  If the volume enhancement is desired (determined before surgery) an implant can be placed concurrently.
+1

Optical illusion: A lifted breast will often appear smaller

SEE VIDEO BELOW This is commonly an optical illusion. A sagging breast appears larger whereas a lifted breast of the same size often appears smaller. This is one of the reasons that most mastopexy (breast lift) procedures are performed wtih breast implants. Patients commonly request the fullness of the upper breast that is associated with larger breasts which can only be achieved via use of an implant. I have attached a video of a pateint who had a lift with no reduction and no implant. The... more
+1

Breast lift vs Breast reduction

A breast lift does not necessarily need to result in smaller breasts or a smaller cup size. Although the pattern or scar may be similar, the surgeon can control how much tissue is removed during the procedure; this often differentiates a mastopexy from a reduction. In a pure mastopexy, only a small amount of skin and some tissue is removed in order to have a tension free closure. But almost always, the patient remains the same cup size. If you are having symptoms of neck and/or back pain... more
+1

Breast lift and/or reduction...

It sounds like there may have been a communication gap between you and your surgeon, since you are clearly surprised by your results. There are a few possibilities to consider. Basically, when you lift a breast, you do have to remove at least some loose skin to tighten the new breast. If you had a lot of loose skin before your surgery, that skin fills your bra just as breast tissue fills a bra. So now that the skin is gone, you fit into a smaller bra. Just ask your surgeon how much tissue... more
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