I'm now a 38DD and I have neck and back pain. Also sagging breasts. Would you recommend a lift or a reduction?

To help with your symptoms of back and neck pain, a reduction would help you the most. A lift would only correct the position of your breasts. When you have a breast reduction the breasts are necessarily lifted to accommodate their new size.

Candidates for #BreastReduction surgery are women who wish to have smaller #breasts to achieve a more proportional appearance or to alleviate physical discomfort. Breast reduction can correct symptoms from excessively #largeheavybreasts that may cause the inability to do certain exercises, or create back, shoulder and neck pain, poor posture, bra-strap shoulder indentations and chafing or rashes under the breasts. Women experiencing these discomforts may benefit from Breast Reduction, also called #ReductionMammoplasty. In general when the excessive #breast size causes functional problems, insurance will generally pay for the operation if more than 400 – 500 grams are removed from each breast dependent on your individual i company requirements. However, insurance criteria are becoming more and more restrictive. Pre-authorization by an insurance company is required prior to surgery, and the process takes approximately one month. Each insurance policy has different guidelines and exclusions. Although, we do not accept insurance, our staff will assist patients in obtaining a pre-authorization so they may attempt to be reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses.

From your description you sound like you would be a good candidate for a breast reduction (which includes a breast lift) you need to be seen in consultation though for an accurate evaluation. Be sure to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. If you have medical insurance it is possible that your procedure may be covered. Good luck!

Thank you for the question. Based on your description, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.  Breast reduction surgery will “automatically” serve to lift the breasts; improvement in any breast symmetry would also be a goal/byproduct of this operation. However, much more information is needed to determine whether you should proceed with surgery, and if so when (timing).  In my practice, I individualize the “timing” of surgery based on a lot of information that is transmitted during the consultation process.
“Typical” patients who present for breast reduction surgery are women who have disproportionately large breasts, causing problems such as neck/back/shoulder discomfort, postural changes, bra strap grooving, skin irritation/rashes under the breasts, and/or difficulty with activities of daily living and/or exercise etc. There may be both physical as well as psychosocial “stress” caused by the disproportionately large breasts.
Reducing breast tissue mass and elevating the breasts on the chest wall tend to improve or alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disproportionately large breasts.
Patients considering breast reduction surgery should also consider the potential downsides (risks/complications) associated with the procedure as well. Poor scarring, for example may be associated with the procedure.  Additional surgery may be necessary in the short or longer term for a multitude of reasons.
When the time is right, I suggest that you seek consultation with well experienced Board certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you would be pleased with.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to breast reduction surgery concerns), helps.  Best wishes.

You may be a good candidate for a breast reduction. Best to be seen in person to determine what would be right for you.

Thanks for your question. Based on your concerns of having a larger breast then desired, you would be a good candidate for a breast reduction which would necessarily decrease your overall cup size. A reduction also includes the elevation, or repositioning, of your breast which would automatically give you a breast lift. A breast lift, however, does not always include a reduction in breast tissue so, as I tell patients, every reduction gets a lift, but not every lift gets a reduction. With the newer techniques, you can also have an improved shape with reduced scarring over the more traditional anchor or wise pattern approaches. Obviously, it would be important to seek out a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. I hope this helps and have a wonderful day. Dr Kayser - Saint Clair Shores