When having a breast lift, is any breast tissue removed?

Yes, some breast tissue is removed during a breast lift, but this is mostly skin.  The breasts will appear larger, but it's just repositioning of the breast tissue with the lift.

Thanks for the question. Most likely some breast tissue will be removed in order to achieve the desired shape. All the best,Dr. JSB

Hello and thank you for your question.A breast lift or mastopexy will lift the breast and nipple restoring a youthful, perky breast shape and position. Women after a breast lift generally feel that their breasts are smaller even though no breast tissue has been removed. Only skin is removed during a lift; however, because the breasts no longer "hang," they may look and feel smaller to the patient. An implant can be used at the same time to increase breast size but this is certainly optional. If you are concerned about breast asymmetry a unilateral breast augmentation or breast reduction can be performed in conjunction with the mastopexy.

Good question. A certain amount of skin is always removed. In addition frequently a small amount of breast tissue can be removed, usually from the bottom. This helps to tighten the bottom more securely. Your cup size shouldn't really get more than a half cup size smaller with standard lifts. 

Sometimes breast tissue is removed to help achieve and maintain the desired shape and/or to correct asymmetries. Usually patients feel that their breasts are smaller because they are more "compact" after surgery. The folded under tissue just gives the breasts projection in the correct place.

Hello,  tissue can be removed from one or both breasts during a lift (for example, to correct asymmetry) but generally only a layer of skin is removed.  The overall amount of tissue stays nearly the same.  Remodelling the breast mound by folding tissue under the breast just changes the shape but does not make the breast larger.

You are correct that most conventional breast lifts excise and discard breast tissue.  I agree with you that this does not really make sense.  In my practice I use two variations of lifts based on the patients anatomy.  The most common lift I use is called the pectorals sling lift that was originally described by Dr. Ruth Graf.  It is essentially a vertical breast lift that instead of throwing away the tissue at the base of the breast, it conserves the tissue and transposes it to the superior pole of the breast creating superior pole fullness.  In patients with more extensive ptosis, I use a technique called the FEMMA-S that lifts and supports the breast using access at the inframammary fold and supports all of the tissue at a higher place also using a pectoral sling for support.  I hope this helps!All the best,Rian A. Maercks M.D.

It depends on what you look like and the goals of the procedure. There are many different lifts that can be performed. I usually do 3 or 4 different lifts depending on your current shape and nipple location. Good Luck!

A standard breast lift usually involves only removing skin while the underlying tissue is repositioned. Tissue may be removed if there is asymmetry or if the patient desires a slight reduction. For the breast lifts I perform, I usually reposition tissue from a lower position to an upper position to provide more fullness.

Breast tissue is removed during a breast lift (mastopexy) if
it improves the shape and appearance of the breasts. If no breast tissue is removed and just
“folded under” then the volume and size of the breasts will be similar to what
you started with. However, the shape
of your breasts and position of your nipples
will improve. It really depends upon
your goals and the anatomy of your breasts.