Can a breast lift be done without reduction on H cup breasts?

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It is advised to remove some breast tissue during your lift to improve the results and prevent complications, especially with large/heavy breasts.

The other doctor that you saw is correct. The skin of your breasts has already stretched out and sagged due to the weight of your breasts. If the only procedure that’s performed is a breast lift, your tissues will stretch out again because the weight of your breast has not been reduced and your skin has already demonstrated to you that it can’t hold that weight up. A breast reduction will give you several benefits: better symmetry, correction of ptosis and less chance of recurrence. Best wishes.

Dear Bright406496,
it is possible to perform breast lift without reduction. 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.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question. A breast lift can be done without needing a reduction. However, on large breasts, the weight of the breast tissue may affect the long-term results of a breast lift without reduction. If the breast tissue is not decreased during the lift, the sagging might happen again. The surgeon's plan may depend on your anatomy, the desired outcome, and experience level. Thus, a thorough consultation with a board-certified surgeon is necessary.

A breast lift can be done without needing a reduction. However, on large breasts, the weight of the breast tissue may affect the long-term results of a breast lift without reduction. If the breast tissue is not decreased during the lift, the sagging might happen again. The surgeon's plan may depend on your anatomy, the desired outcome, and experience level. Thus, a thorough consultation with a board-certified surgeon is necessary.

Additional tissue removal is not necessary when a lift is performed on larger breasts. It may be that the surgeon you spoke to does it to minimize the risk of sagging after surgery.

The surgeon you consulted with is absolutely correct. Without tissue removal you will get nowhere. Nonetheless, even with tissue removal you will be a proportionate size that will fit your body. Tissue removal also allows for maximal perkiness of the breast over the long term. Thank you.

The technique I recommend is 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. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

It seems like you received perfect advice. Many plastic surgeons certainly think the same way. Technically, the operation can be performed, but even after 6 months or a year you might be very disappointed in the results.