Breast lift or Breast Reduction - what would you recommend for me? (photo)

Thank you for your question. The main difference between both procedures is with a breast lift the size of your breasts will not change whereas a breast reduction will significantly reduce the size of your breasts. I recommend breast reduction surgery. Best wishes.

The procedures are really quite similar and the distinction can be arbitrary. In general, a lift tries to keep as much tissue as possible where as a reduction will make your breasts some amount smaller.

Hi,
Thank you for the question.
Based on your photos, you appear to be a great candidate for breast reduction surgery. During breast reduction surgery, excess breast tissue is removed, the breast is lifted and nipple/areola is typically made smaller. It is easiest to think of breast reduction as including the breast lift.
Schnur Sliding Scale is a scale used by many insurance companies as a guideline for how much breast tissue should be removed in order to improve your physical symptoms. In addition, most insurances in order to approve the surgery, will require for 2-3 letters of medical necessity (from your chiropractor, primary doctor, OBGYN, Dermatologist, etc) demonstrating that your physical symptoms due to large breasts are not improving with conservative management.
I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast Reduction surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

A breast lift reshapes the breast and repositions the nipple to a more youthful position. With most breast lifts, there will be at least some small reduction in size (as some breast tissue and/or skin would be removed in order to perform the breast lift). Breast reduction has similar advantages as a breast lift, however the main goal in a breast reduction is to reduce the breast size (while also getting the aesthetic benefits of breast reshaping and nipple repositioning). If your breasts feel heavy to you, or you have any symptoms like neck pain, back pain, rashes under the breast, strap indentations on your shoulders, etc-- then a reduction would serve you well. The other question to ask is, what cup size do you wear now and what cup size would you like to be? If the answer is a smaller cup size, then a reduction may be aesthetically favorable for you. Hope that helps! Happy to assist at any time.
Cheers, Dr. Perez

Thanks for your question! To get longest lasting results, I think that a breast reduction would be your best course of action. By reducing the areola and removing some of the extra tissue, you should get a nice, smaller, perky breast. Good luck!

The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You need both a lift and probably a slight reduction. The procedures are quite similar. It's just a matter of how much breast tissue to remove in your particular case.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on this photo, you would be a good candidate for a breast lift. The need for a breast reduction would be determined by your symptoms, for example, if you were experiencing back pain. I hope this helps.

Dear GeminiMe,
my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Thanks for your question. Breast lift is more of a reshaping of your breast tissue - breast lift patients usually have a lot more skin than breast tissue. On the other hand breast reduction surgery is more about reducing the size and weight of your breast while also shaping to provide an aesthetically pleasing result. Some suggest that breast lift surgery removes less than 200-250grams (roughly) while breast reduction will remove more.