Had Reduction 20 Years PO, Is It Possible To Have Lift? (photo)

Yes it is  possible to perform a breast lift after having a breast reduction. The doctor who told you that he was worried about doing this is referring to a principle where surgeons believed they need your old surgical records to reproduce your previous pedicle. The pedicle is the flap of tissue which carried the blood supply to your nipple in your original breast reduction surgery. We plastic surgeons used to think that it was important to perform a second lift or reduction operation using the same pedicle in order to preserve the blood supply to the nipple. That is why your surgeon is reluctant to perform a second surgery on you if the records for your initial surgery are unavailable. However at The Plastic Surgery Clinic, we have published a journal article demonstrating the worlds largest reported series of repeat breast reductions. We learned that it is possible to safely perform a repeat reduction or breast lift, if you use the vertical technique, without requiring the knowledge of how the initial surgery was performed. So I would suggest finding a surgeon who is familiar with the vertical technique and who has read our paper.

Yes, this is not an uncommon scenario especially for someone with a reduction at a very young age. It is helpful to know the previous technique but this is not always available. An implant can give a better shape and contour as well.

Thank you for your question.   You are an excellent candidate for a secondary breast lift after breast reduction.   You should have enough vascular in growth to allow the nipple to heal well.

The main risk with any revision breast procedure is damage to the nipple blood supply.   A very helpful piece would be to know how your plastic surgeon preserved the blood supply to your nipple.   There are various pedicles or blood supply orientations that are used.   Twenty years ago, it was most probably an inferior pedicle.

I do think you can safely have a small implant placed also.   Take time to discuss your goals with your plastic surgeon and I am sure you will be pleased with your new breast contour!

Dr. Gill

Yes, it is possible to have a breast lift after a reduction.  You do not necessarily need to add an implant with the lift.  If there is ample breast tissue to allow for shaping, then an implant is not needed.  I would recommend a visit to a board certified plastic surgeon for a more complete evaluation.

Thank you for the question and picture. Yes, you should be able to undergo breast lifting safely, especially given that your initial breast operation was done approximately 20 years ago. It will be important for you to communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon so as to determine whether or not breast implants will be necessary to achieve your goals as well. In my practice, I prefer the use of goal pictures during this communication process.

Best wishes