36 DDD wanting a breast lift, will my size stay the same? Is this a waste of money? (photo)

Thank you for posting a photo. You appear to have significant ptosis, and you would certainly benefit from a lift. Saggy breasts look and feel a lot heavier than the lifted breasts of similar volume. So you are right in avoiding a breast reduction that will likely make you too small. From my experience, I would not expect you to maintain the same bra size of 36DDD after a lift. Even without any breast tissue removal, your lifted breasts will look smaller, better shaped and will likely fit in a smaller bra cup. It is hard to predict the exact size, but this is the general rule.
As far as your back pain is concerned, it is impossible to predict the full impact. Your posture will be better after a lift, and you might see substantial benefits to your back, neck and shoulders but no one can guarantee that. Best wishes!

No, your final result will be a smaller cup size.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Your breast will be smaller with a lift I recommend you consult with a board certified PS in person for a detailed exam and evaluation.Best wishes.

You are an excellent candidate for The Bellesoma Method.  This will 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 and long term stability.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Only a small amount of tissue is removed during a breast lift, so the size of your breasts may stay the same size. However, you should know that your breasts may fit into your bra differently due to their new perkier shape, and sometimes patients find that they need a smaller or larger bra to improve comfort. While a breast lift may help reduce back pain to a certain extent, the effects may be minimal. A breast reduction may be the most suitable option to reduce your back problems. 

Hello,You need to sort out many of your questions with a qualified surgeon who can help you: an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. You would not be wasting your money in this endeavor, and could have transformed breasts with no back or neck pain. Best of luck!

Thank you for a great question.  You are an excellent candidate for a breast lift, and your overall size (volume) does not need to be reduced unless you want it to be reduced.  A lift will get rid of the excess skin and will reposition your nipples higher up on your chest.  A lift is always part of a breast reduction.  However, in a breast reduction, a portion of the actual breast tissue is removed in addition to the excess skin, resulting in a smaller volume and weight of the breasts, which leads to a relief of upper back, shoulder, and neck pain.  In a breast lift (which is cosmetic and not through insurance), it is up to you how much volume, if any, you want removed.  If you have a lift and keep the same volume, there may still be a slight improvement in your shoulder and upper back symptoms because your breasts will be positioned higher on your chest and will pull slightly less on your shoulders.  However, because their overall weight will still be the same, the relief to your shoulders and upper back will not be guaranteed compared to a breast reduction.  If your main goal is to improve your symptoms of upper back, neck, and shoulder pain, then a reduction is the way to go if that's what your physical therapist has recommended.  Make sure you have this discussion with a board-certified plastic surgeon.  

Dear gjasmine77,Thank you for posting pictures with your question. A breast lift always involves removing breast tissue so they will be smaller, but if you have 36DDD you should not be worried about this. If you already have back pain you need them smaller and perkier; this does not necessarily mean they will end looking small maybe they will be more adequate for your body type. Best wishes. 

While reduction and lift/mastopexy are similar procedures, the difference (as you noted) is related to the volume of tissue removed. A lift can be performed with minimal tissue removal. However, large heavy pendulous breasts post lift do not yield a very long lasting result.With regards to your specific question, if you have symptomatic heavy breasts a lift is not likely to resolve your issues. Back pain is a function not of position/ptosis but rather weight.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you are a
great candidate for a breast lift.  This can be designed to result in an
improved shape and contour of your breasts while minimizing scar
appearance.  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.  The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Dear gjasmine77,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