Breast Reduction Q&A
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Breast Reduction and Lift
asked 3 years ago by itsaboutme in canada
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 23,532 times
Tags: combination
Do I need to have a combination of both to acheive a lifted breast? Or if I do the breast reduction, will that give me a lift in my breasts?
52 answers to Breast Reduction and Lift
+2
Best to Lift and Reduce
In rare instances we will reduce and not lift but that is when the shape of the breast is excellent and the nipple height correct. This is rarely the case when a woman has large breasts.
Usually we lift and reduce the breast in one operation in an effort to both reduce the size as well as improve the shape and lift the nipples to an ideal position.
+5
Breast reduction and breast lift
Breast reduction surgery can be done by iteself or with the breast lift procedure depending on the extent and duration of the lift desired.
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes your excess fat, glandular (breast) tissue, and skin to place your breasts back in your proportion to your body. Importantly, breast reductions can alleviate neck, shoulder, and/or knee pain that can result from heavy breasts. Additional benefits are the lifting of sagging...
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+3
Breast reduction includes a lift
A breast reduction reduces the size of the breast as well as lifting and reshaping the breast. The stretched nipple can be reduced in size, the nipple position is moved up to a normal location, and the extra skin is removed.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+3
Breast reduction and breast lift: different goals, similar procedures
The primary goal of breast reduction: reduction or elimination of symptoms associated with enlarged breasts. These include upper and mid back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, shoulder bra strap grooves, postural problems, inability to jog or participate in other sports activities, and chronic sweating or rashes beneath the breasts.
The primary goal of breast lift: improved contour of the breasts.
While breast reduction and breast lift (mastopexy) have different goals, they are very similar...
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Ronald Friedman, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+3
You can get both in one operation
Many women are confused about what a breast reduction will do in terms of lifting the breast. Simply put, a breast reduction will reduce the size of the breast, consolidate and improve the shape of the breast, and lift the breast. On the other hand, a breast lift (or mastopexy) will lift the breast, improve the shape of the breast, and not really change the size of the breast.
So, if you have more breast tissue than you desire, a reduction is what you need. If you are happy with the size...
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David B. Reath, MD
Knoxville Plastic Surgeon
Knoxville Plastic Surgeon
+3
Usually
Breast reduction involves reducing the size of the breast. A breast lift involves lifting the nipple-areolar complex and reducing the excess skin of the breast. Breast reductions can involve just liposuction in patients who have more fatty tissue than glandular breast tissue. Liposuction alone indeed does reduce the volume of the breasts. However, sagging of the breast can result and liposuction alone is therefore performed usually in highly selected patients.
Many different types of...
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+3
You will automatically get a breast lift with your reduction.
This is a good question. Basically, the breast reduction surgery and the breast lift surgery are the same. The only difference is that, with the reduction surgery, all the extra breast tissue is excised.
Good luck with your surgery.
David Shafer, MD
Shafer Plastic Surgery
Manhattan
+2
Breast reduction includes a lift
If you have a breast reduction, this should include elevation and reshaping of the nipple-areolar complex. A lift without reduction, in the large breast, will not produce lasting results because gravity will cause the breasts to sag again. The goal of the reduction is to alleviate musculoskeletal complaints by making the breasts smaller whereas a lift speaks for itself. The important thing is to have the right procedure for your shape and size.
+2
New Breast Reduction Techniques
A breast reduction accomplishes three changes to the breast. The breast is made smaller, narrower and it is lifted to a higher more supported level on the chest wall. There are many techniques to achieve this result. In my view, the most stable technique to obtain long-lasting, stable breasts is a technique which sculpts the breast tissue and suturing it into the desired shape. The breast skin is simply re-draped and it is not relied on to...
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+2
Breast Reduction Normally Provides Lift
If liposuction is performed alone, there will not be a breast lift.
Breast Reduction techniques do normally include reshaping and lifting the breast.
+2
A breast reduction has a breast lift built in
A breast reduction procedure reduces the volume and skin envelope of the breast while lifting the nipple into proper aesthetic position. Breast reduction can be done for cosmetic purposes, or as part of an insurance claim for medically necessary surgery.
Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+2
Difference between a breast reduction and lift
This is a very common question. A breast lift is an operation which removes skin and reshapes the underlying breast tissue. What this does is move the nipple into its proper position and cone the breast into a more pleasing shape.
In some cases, a breast implant may also be used to either lift the breast or fill out the excess skin. A breast reduction is done primarily to decrease the overall size of the breast, and the repositioning of the nipple is performed at the same time to improve...
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David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+2
Breast Reduction will lift the breasts
Short answer: yes.
Breast reductions involve removing tissue and skin. When I remove tissue, I then lift the breast tissue and reshape the internal breast tissue with sutures. This helps "hold" the lift better. I also remove skin. There are two basic breast reduction techniques: the inferior pedicle/Wise technique and the vertical breast reduction. Skin is poor at doing lifting, as it will stretch out again, so I prefer the vertical breast lift technique.
If you do liposuction...
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Lauren Greenberg, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+2
Breast Reduction is a large form of a breast lift
The common elements of a breast lift and reduction are as follows: a) reduces excess breast tissue and skin; b) downsizes and makes the nipple areolar complex more circular; c) reshapes the breast mound to a higher position on the chest wall by selective resection of droopy tissue and tightening the remaining skin; d) situates the nipple at the "apex" of the breast mound.
Where the techniques diverge is the amount of skin and breast tissue removed. so when you have a breast...
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+2
Breast reduction usually involves a lift too
Most breast reduction techniques involve not only removing breast tissue but also repositioning the nipple to a more aesthetic (and higher) location. If you are having reduction by Liposuction only then the position of the nipple will not improve, but may actually be worse. Discuss it with your surgeon and ask exactly where the incisions will be.
Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+2
Breast reduction and lift
Breast reduction is a breast lift + removal of breast tissue. That is why insurance companies place a minimum amount to be removed during a breast reduction before they cover the cost of the surgery. They say that if only a minimal amount is removed, then you are having only a breast lift. So, the great thing about a breast reduction is that not only do you get a more proportionate breast size, you also get a better, more youthful appearing breast shape. That is why breast reduction patients...
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Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2
Top 6 factors affecting Breast Reduction Surgery
If you are considering a breast reduction procedure, the top 6 criteria in deciding what type of operation to perform are as follows:
Position of the nipple relative to the bra crease
Amount of skin redundancy
Amount of volume excess
Size of the areola
Amount of lateral breast fullness
Previous incisions on the breast
The position of the nipple and areola is important in answering your question. If the nipple is below the breast crease, then you will need a breast lift at the same time. ...
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Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
The Reduction is also a Lift.
Most women who require a breast lift, have hanging or low breast tissue. In the process of removing the excess tissue, the nipple is lifted and the extra skin is removed. This lifts the breasts into a better, more natural position. In very rare cases, the removal of extra breast tissue may be done with liposuction to reduce the size. In these cases, a lift is not necessary. With a normal reduction, you are getting two procedures for the price of one.
David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Reduction and Lift
Great question - a lift is performed as part of every breast reduction. The reverse is not necessarily the case (ie, with a lift there may be basically no reduction - there's always a little bit but it may be very slight). For some breast reductions the ONLY difference between the two (a lift and a reduction) is the amount of tissue being removed; with others it is inherently a different procedure (even if it leaves similar scars).
So - all reductions have lifts but not...
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+1
Breast reduction or lift?
No you do not need to have both procedures. The breast reduction will also result in a “lift” of the breasts.
Best wishes.
+1
Breast lift and breast reduction surgery
A breast reduction surgery will reduce the size of your breasts and lift your breasts at the same time.
A breast lift surgery will lift your breasts without reducing your breast size.
See plasticsurgeryofny.com for more information.
+1
The diference between a lift and a reduction can be confusing.
Technically, almost every reduction includes a lift. That is, the shape of the breast is improved by removing breast tissue and elevating the nipple. In a pure lift, only the nipple is elevated and the breast is reshaped internally and skin is removed. There is very little if any breast tissue removed. They are basically the same operation with the added surgery of removing breast tissue in the reduction.
Beverly Friedlander, MD
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Reduction usually includes a breast lift
Unless you are having breast reduction done by liposuction alone, a breast reduction will always include some form of breast lift.
Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1
You almost always need both a reduction and a lift.
Most large breasted women have developed sagging of the breast and nipple as well as areolar enlargement over the years because of the weight of their breast. Only a very young woman is likely to have large breast without the sagging. For that reason, most women require a breast lift as well as a reduction for the best result.
George Sanders, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast reduction and lift.
When a surgeon performs a breast reduction the lift is thrown in. The surgeon cannot perform the breast reduction without moving the nipple - areola complex highter/ Thus the lift. They go together.
Gary H. Manchester, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
One of the best things about a breast reduction is the fact that it includes a simultaneous breast lift.
As part of a typical breast reduction procedure, the breast is also lifted to give a full and "perky" look. In fact, most patients are very satisfied with breast reduction surgery because in addition to better functioning without carrying the extra weight on the necks, shoulders, and backs, they look better too. Add the fact that most patients find it easier (and more confortable socially) to exercise after breast reduction surgery and you can see why it is such a...
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Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon
White Plains Plastic Surgeon
+1
Combining breast reduction and breast lift
Breast reduction and breast lift surgery are very similar in design and execution. The difference is in how much tissue, if any, is removed during surgery. My patients that present for breast reduction achieve a shapely, lifted and smaller breasts. It is imperative for a surgeon to assess the breast anatomy and dimensions. There are many factors to consider, make sure your surgeon is skilled and experienced to design, plan and execute the appropriate procedure for...
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+1
Breast reduction and lift
A breast reduction usually results in a significant lift in the position of the breast tissue and nipple area. The reduction in weight of your breasts diminishes the constant stretching of your skin created by the pull of gravity. Decreasing the weight will result in a longer-lasting lift as compared to lifting the breast by excising the skin only with very little, if any, reduction in size. Unless you're a B cup to begin with (in which case you'd likely need implants) a breast...
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Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast reduction versus breast lift
Breast reduction is a popular and effective way to remove tissue that may be causing pain and symptoms and contour the shape of your breast.
A breast lift is a similar procedure that can change the position of your breast and can be performed at the same time as a breast reduction.
Be sure that you're working with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in breast reduction surgery so that the specialist can review the different surgical options and help...
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B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1
A breast reduction always includes a lift
All breast reductions resize and reposition the nipple and areola. Also the skin in reduction to match the volume reduction of the breast. The length of the incisions are proportional to the amount of skin removed.
+1
Breast reduction and lift
When you have a breast reduction, the breasts are typically lifted at the same time, because skin, fat and breast tissue are removed, and when closing the incisions, the breasts are tightened and lifted. However, if you are happy with the volume or cup size of your breasts, but not with the sagging, then a breast lift will tighten the breasts and lift them, without removing breast or fatty tissue. Good luck!
+1
Breast reduction usually includes a lift
In almost all cases a breast reduction includes a lift. The nipple position is elevated and the breast tissue is positioned superiorly. It is a very satisfactory operation for the vast majority of patients.
+1
Breast reduction will lift your breast
A breast reduction will give you the lift benefit in addition to reducing the size of the breast. You can look at the breast lift procedure as a mini lift procedure with minimal tissue removal.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast reduction and breast lift
A breast reduction, by design, will give you the benefits of a breast lift automatically. That is to say, with a breast reduction not only will your breasts be smaller, but the breast tissue will be elevated, the nipple position will be elevated and the overall shape will be "perkier". You may even be able to go without a bra for certain outfits or for certain occasions.
A breast lift (mastopexy) will elevate your breast tissue and nipple position, but does not necessarily make...
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+1
A breast reductions lift the breast
There are a number different types of breast reductions. All reductions, however, result in a breast lift. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a redetermined location fit for your body. The excess skin, breast tissue, and fat are then removed from each breast giving you good overall volume symmetry and shape.
I often perform a short scar breast reduction (vertical reduction) which I feel lessens the scar length and provides the best shape.
Michael Baroody, MD
Danbury Plastic Surgeon
Danbury Plastic Surgeon
+1
Video: Breast Reduction results in a lift
A breast reduction automatically results in a breast lift, as the nipple / areola complex is moved upward to a new position on the chest. You should spend some time looking at reduction photos, lift photos, and augmentation photos. You will note that the upper pole of the breast is relatively smooth in both lift and reduction cases. If there is curvature (fullness) in the upper pole, the patient has implants. The full upper pole look does not result from either a lift or reduction...
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Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1
Is a reduction a lift too?
Yes, a breast reduction will elevate your areola and redrape your skin envelope resulting in a rejunevated and "lifted" look. Great operation in the right patient with the right surgeon!
Good luck!
Dr. C
John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
Lift from Breast Reduction
Almost all breast reduction techniques involve elevation of the nipple-arolelar complex resulting in a breast lift. The one exception is a reduction performed by liposuction alone which may well lead to increased sagging.
John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1
A breast reduction includes a breast lift
Many patients are confused by the terms breast lift and breast reduction and think that they are mutually exclusive. This is not true. A breast reduction makes the breast smaller and repositions the breast up on the chest wall. A breast lift does not involve the removal of any breast tissue so the breasts remain the same size but they are repositoned up on the chest wall. That is to say, a breast reduction reduces and lifts the breast while a breast lift only lifts the breast.
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Susan E. Downey, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Lift and Breast Reduction
Thanks for your question -
Breast reductions (with the exception of breast reductions done through liposuction which are very rarely performed) include a breast lift. Techniques including the Wise pattern breast reduction (the anchor scar) and vertical scar (lollipop) techniques can all be very effective at reducing the size of your breasts. This can improve back and neck pain, rashes and improve the shape of the breasts. All of these techniques also include a lift.
I hope this helps.
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+1
It is built in
Breast lift is an integral part of standard breast reductions. The breast tissue is reshaped and lifted after removal of breast tissue. It is also possible to do a breast reduction with liposuction alone but few patients are ideal candidates. Breast lift without reduction or with augmentation are also possible, depending on your desired size of the breasts.
+1
Most breast reductions will also include a lift
Most breast reductions will lift the breasts as well. There are rare instances when a breast reduction will be performed with liposcuction alone. Liposuction would rarely 'lift' the breast unless there is fantastic elasticity. Many breast reduction techniques will utilize the same incisions used for a breast lift with or without a breast implant.
Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast reduction and lift
The bonus of a breast reduction is that you also get a breast lift. Two for the price of one! There are some surgeons that will exclusively liposuction the breast to reduce their volume, but this does not usually lift the nipple or breast significantly.
+1
Breast lift and Breast Reduction
A breast reduction typcially involves removal of skin and breast whereas a breast lift typically involves removal of skin only. Of course there are exceptions but this is the simplest way of explaining it.
Traditionally, both procedures result in elevation and upward rotation of the nipple on the breast mound to achieve a lifted appearance. A breast reduction without a breast lift would usually look like a sagging (ptotic breast).
In nearly all instances of breast reduction, a breasd lift is...
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Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
A Standard Breast Reduction includes a Breast Lift.
Hello,
Standard Breast Reduction surgery is a full Breast Lift in addition to the removal of breast tissue to reduce the volume of the breasts. They will appear high and swollen at first, but will soften and settle over the first few months post-surgery to a more normal position.
+1
Breast reduction does give a lift
The question is, do you want your breasts to be smaller? If so, then the reduction procedure will provide a lift as well. If you prefer to keep the volume of your breasts the same, then you may do a lift without removal of breast tissue. Good luck!
+1
Almost certainly you will need a lift
I have done at least 3000 breast reduction operations and only 3 times have I met a patient who needed a reduction but didn't need a lift. The lift is to move the nipple back above the crease and in virtually all patients with large breasts, the weight stretches the skin and causes the nipple to drift down to where a lift is required.
+1
Almost all reductions give some lift to the breast.
The procedure to lift a breast and to reduce a breast are very similar. The difference is that with a reduction, tissue is removed at the same time as the lift.
In my experience, in an effort to make each breast look as good as possible, I usually lift all breasts. The two exceptions are very young patients who have large but non- sagging breasts and those patients that desire only to have reduction through liposuction.
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1
Minorae, Superiorae, Meliorae (Smaller, Higher, Better)
A Breast Reduction always includes a component of lifting the breast.
Generally, large breasts stretch the skin of the breasts due to the effect of gravity, causing the breasts to elongate in a downward direction. Also, the areola usually enlarges proportionately to the enlargement of the breast. As a result, the nipple tends to be below the actual fold beneath the breast, and the areola is too large.
A Breast Reduction elevates the nipple to the proper position on the reduced, smaller...
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Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Every good breast reduction automatically includes a breast lift
In a breast reduction, the excess breast tissue is removed. Then the remaining breast tissue is positioned upward INTERNALLY and the nipple is made a little smaller and lifted. So you should end up with a nice, lifted shape. The typical scar looks like a lollypop.
+1
They are usually the same thing but not always
Most of the time they are essentially the same thing, though the specific type of lift may be determined in part by how much of a reduction is done, and vice-versa. The minimal scar techniques often work better with smaller reductions and where there is less sagging. Occasionally, there is no sagging and only a small amount of reduction is desired, so doing only liposuction may be an option, though that is not very common.
+1
Sagging of the breasts is corrected in a breast reduction procedure
This is a frequently asked question. The principles of a breast reduction and a breast lift are similar. Each procedure repositions the nipple to a higher level. With a breast reduction breast tissue is removed. If a woman is satisfied wtih the size of her breasts but not the sagging then a lift is all that is needed. If the breasts are large and heavy then a breast reduction is indicated.
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
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