How Much Cup Size Do You Lose with a Breast Lift?

Breast Lift Size Change

A mastopexy or breast lift operation is designed to improve the shape and position of the breasts without diminishing their size. After the procedure, the previously droopy breast should be more full and round (perky), rather than flat and wide. In theory, since there is no breast tissue removed, the volume should remain the same. However, the breast may seem to decrease because the shape of the breast has changed as the volume is more centered than drooping so the illusion is it looks smaller despite the same volume.

There are different ways of achieving a breast lift. A breast lift by itself without placement of an implant will decrease your breast volume. Although it is hard to determine how much your breast will decrease in size, according to my experience, there will be about a 2 - 3 cup size change. This is why many patients opt to have a breast lift with augmentation at the same time to restore the volume of the breast. By placing an implant, your breast volume will be restored and the lift will create harmony between the nipple and the breast implant.

Some patients hesitate about having an implant placed to augment and restore the volume. Another option that I offer my patients is a breast lift with autoaugmentation. This technique involves taking all the breast tissue that is at the bottom of your breast and moving it with its own blood supply to the top of your breast to increase the fullness of the breast. This technique will restore the natural breast fullness while at the same time will avoid a substantial decrease in breast volume. Your breasts will be smaller but not as small as a breast with a traditional breast lift technique.

I use this technique routinely in patients who have lost weight and face a significant decrease in volume and excess of breast skin.  The main thing to worry about a breast lift, regardless of the technique to be used,  is to maintain the upper pole’s fullness. It is extremely common that, if attention is not paid to detail and the internal breast tissue suspended, you will sag early in the postoperative period and will have suboptimal results.