Would I be a better candidate for a mommy makeover or just a breast reduction?

Question

Would I be a better candidate for mommy makeover or just breast reduction? Price difference and healing time?

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding a mommy makeover versus a breast reduction and for including photos. They are very helpful!

To fully answer your question, it would be best to also know your goals.

Realself provides data for the average cost of this procedure and others for your specific geographic area.  Cost can vary significantly depending on where you live, as well as different surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee and facility fee.

To be sure, see two or more experienced, licensed and board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment.

I hope this helps.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You are an optimal candidate for breast reduction surgery if your breast size is disproportionately large compared to the rest of your body frame. If you are experiencing shoulder, neck, and back pain and it’s hindering your daily activities, this procedure may be the perfect solution.
If you feel extremely self-conscious in public, shy, embarrassed, and unhappy about the way your breasts look, breast reduction surgery is an option. It is also excellent for those with one breast that is much larger than the other and for those with nipples and areolae that point in downward, making the patient look and feel much older than she actually is.

Daniel Crane, MD · Answer

A mommy make over address the changes which occur following pregnancy and childbirth and can be different for each patient. A breast reduction would reduce the size of your breasts and lift them. If the size and position of your breasts is something that bothers you, then yes you would be a good candidate for this.
Your abdomen is difficult to assess in this photograph. We carry fatty tissue both beneath the skin surface and surrounding our organs. Fatty tissue beneath the skin can be removed with a tummy tuck, but fatty tissue surrounding the organs (also called visceral fat) can only be removed with diet and exercise. It is important to get rid of as much visceral fat as possible before a tummy tuck in order to get the best result. Hope this helps.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, your priority should be a weight loss; once you come to a certain "safe zone" with BMI around 30, you should consider breast reduction, liposuction and abdominoplasty. However, if you would like to do something right now, breast reduction could be considered. Hope this helps. Good luck.

David Parizh, DO · Answer

If you are done having kids you can have a procedure to either address the abdomen and/or breasts. 
A mommy make over addresses the excess skin and laxity in the stomach. It is a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. The goal is to restore the natural anatomy of the rectus muscles and correct any separation (diastasis). The excess skin is then trimmed, and a new home for your belly button made. This give a more defined flat waist line. The breasts usually due to age and breast feeding have decreased volume in the upper pole (cleavage goes down). The nipples may point down. The repositioning of the nipples alone is a lift or mastopexy. The addition of implants helps correct the deficiency of the upper pole in your breasts, and adds back the cleavage. 
Happy to layer discussion with a virtual consultation. 
Combining procedures can be more expensive but cheaper overall. Recovery 2 weeks off work. Perhaps option of the third.

Bram Kaufman, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.
It is really hard to tell from your photos alone. My best advice is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can perform a detailed history and physical examination and advise. 
This one is a hands on situation. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Alicia Sigler, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The best results are obtained when you have a BMI less than 30. It seems that you are above that. My best recommendation will be to lose weight in order for your surgeon to accomplish the best result for your breast and tummy with tissues that will not get any more modifications if you were to continue dropping weight. First get to your ideal weight and then plan on the mommy makeover. You will be very pleased with the results that a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will provide you

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I would begin with your breasts. The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. At the same time or later, a tummy tuck can be performed. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight. The cost for the breasts is $14,000 and the tummy is $10,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Nothing replaces an in-person examination of your tissues and review of your full medical history.  Although a breast reduction could likely be performed safely, I believe the risks of surgery for a mommy makeover outweigh the possible benefits and I would work on your diet and exercise routine to reach a BMI of 30 or less to have the best and safest surgical results. Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Diligent207933,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Would I be a better candidate for a mommy makeover or just a breast reduction?

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