Do You Have to Have Breast Tissue Removed when Getting a Breast Lift?

A breast lift can be done without removing any breast tissue and without adding an implant.  It all depends on the technique used and the amount of breast tissue you have to begin with.  However, whena breast is,lifted it seems smaller even if no tissue is removed because the breast has been made more compact by the lift.  Ask your surgeon to see  photos of patients similar to you to get an idea of how large you would be.

Hi there-

A well-done breast lift does not remove breast tissue, but only skin. 

It is true that removal of this excess and sagging skin does in some cases cause the perception of the breast size to decrease, but not usually in a significant manner.  

If you truly have C-cup volume now, I'm not sure why the doctor you consulted with told you that you had to lose 2 cup sizes, as it is totally untrue. When I have a breast lift patient whose breasts are the size she likes, I remove only 15 - 30 grams of tissue per side (the skin needed to be removed to provide a more tailored and youthful "skin brassiere"). This is 1/2 to 1 ounce, skin only. This leaves all her native breast tissue intact except for that tiny amount of skin. No change in size, only "perkiness."

Of course, more tissue may be removed if the patient desires a small reduction--the pattern and incisions are the same; only the amount of tissue removed varies between patients.

I hate to sound overly dogmatic, but unless there is volume asymmetry and more tissue must be removed from the (larger) side to improve symmetry, you CAN retain your full C cup volume--you may just need to see one or more ABPS-certified plastic surgeons and have your surgery elsewhere. C to A is simply not necessary. Take a look at several of my breast lift patients by clicking on the web reference link below--they did not go smaller unless they wanted to. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

If you are happy with the current cup size, a lift can be done by removing skin only. I prefer a vertical breast lift with a medial-superior pedicle, but the inferior pole breast tissue I use for autoaugmentation to increase projection further. If you surgeon does an anchor type skin incision, he/she needs to remove some breast tissue from the lateral and medial inferior aspect of the breast for shaping and allowing to close the skin incision. This is not necessary with a vertical lift. Good luck.

A breast lift may have some tissue removed depending on the gemetry of the breast itself.  Technically speaking a breast lift with removal of tissue is a breast reduction.  There are circumstances where a breast lift may need some removal to create more symmetry!

Hope this helps

Dr J

In breast lift, some of the skin of the lower breast has to be removed to allow for the actual lifting procedure.  However, all of your breast tissue can be left in place or rearranged within your breast to help achieve the best shape.  In many cases, patients actually choose to augment the tissue they already have with a breast implant at the time of the mastopexy / breast lift.

 

Good luck.

Very little to no breast tissue is removed during a traditional breast lift.  Excess skin is removed and the breast is reshaped.  Some women perceive that their breasts are smaller simply because the breast looks more compact since the excess skin is removed.  The amount of breast tissue stays essentially the same.

unless you specifically want tissue removed.  A traditional breast lift removes paper thin skin and that is all so you should be using the same bra.  There are different techniques to achieve a lift and I am a proponent of the autoaugmentation technique as risks for bottoming out are diminished and you do get more fullness on top.  Inferior pedicle techniques have a much higher risk for bottoming out. 

If you really want a lot of fullness on top and don't want to be larger, you may consider a reduction with implant augmentation but realize your native breast volume will be diminished and if you need your implants removed, you will be smaller. 

You should discuss all of your alternatives with your chosen surgeon and make an informed choice as what would work best for you.

Depending upon the technique used and depending on how the breasts look before surgery will determine what the possible size will be after srugery. In most cases, just skin is removed and a small amount of tissue to properly shape the breast.  An exam would be helpful to determine what you would need.  Good luck.

Thank you for the question.

Yes, it is possible to do a breast lift  and remove skin only. Of course, much will depend on each patient's individual anatomy and goals. I would suggest that you communicate your goals clearly with a carefully selected plastic surgeon.   The use of cup size during this  communication process can be confusing/misleading.  However, communicating your goals (I  prefer the use of goal pictures) will be very important in allowing your plastic surgeon to guide you  in determining whether breast lifting alone will be sufficient to meet your goals.

 Best wishes.