Breast Lift vs Breast Reduction?
Do you need a breast lift or breast reduction? The answer depends on your goals. If your goal is significant amount of volume and breast tissue reduction, then a breast reduction procedure will likely be your choice. Too much breast tissue is also known as macromastia. If you are primarily concerned with changing your silhouette, so that your breasts are perkier, firmer and higher (but not smaller) a breast lift would likely be your best bet. Breast reduction is similar to a breast lift (mastopexy), but with more tissue removal and perhaps more liposuction.
The delineation of the decision between a breast reduction procedure vs a breast lift procedure is not always cut and dry because breast lifts typically result in some reduction. It is also possible to reduce breast volume without lifting the tissue (usually via liposuction) but the incisions in a lift are often the same as in a reduction. You may be unsure of the volume you would like to remove to achieve a more favorable position. Breasts may also be different sizes (asymmetric). Position of nipple may also be out of proportion with the amount of breast ptosis (sag). Breasts may be deflated after pregnancy. Additionally, you may have heard that breast implants are the only reliable way to lift breasts. These questions can easily be addressed at the time of your consult.
Breast Lift or Reduction(with or without implants) with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
We commonly refer to a breast lift in the medical profession as a mastopexy. An implant is often combined with a breast lift procedure and that is called augmentation mastopexy. By any name, it can often result in a life-changing boost of self esteem.
In the United States, nearly 100,000 mastopexy procedures are performed annually. In the Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex, including suburbs of Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Garland, Richardson and mid cities, several thousand breast lift procedures are performed each year. At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery, breast lift and reduction procedures are performed by our skilled and experienced breast augmentation specialist, Stuart Lipton, MD, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
As we age we begin to lose elasticity in our skin. Breasts that were once youthful and perky can start sagging. This can also occur following weight fluctuations and is not unusual after pregnancy. Many individuals are born with breasts that sag. This condition can be hereditary.
A breast lift can improve the fullness, shape and projection of your breasts. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola (the dark or pink skin around the nipple). If your breasts are too small or have lost volume, breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with a breast lift procedure. This can increase both the size and firmness of the breasts. A breast lift can provide a more sexy and natural contour for breasts that have a flatter, elongated or pendulous shape. It can also help provide more symmetry between breasts, where one breast is flatter, sagging or more misshapen than the other.
If you need excess breast tissue removed with your lift, then your procedure will become a breast reduction. A breast reduction will also accomplish most if not all of the results sought out with a breast lift.
A breast lift (or reduction) can rejuvenate your spirit and revitalize your figure with a silhouette that is more youthful and uplifted. Your clothes can fit better, and you may have a wider variety of clothing choices. Most women feel sexier and more confident. Confidence, in and of itself, can be a potent lure to that special mate or potential suitor, as well as improving opportunities in the workplace.
Do I need implants?
Implants are not necessary in all breast lift cases. However, it is not uncommon to combine an implant procedure with your breast lift to finish a more shapely contour. At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery, we strive to shape the procedure to you, which means we want the ultimate result to fit in harmony with your natural beauty. So, whether you need implants or don’t can depend on your breast tissue, as well as the rest of your body’s shapes and features. Your goals and desires will impact this decision as well. This will be discussed more completely in your private consultation.
If I Need Implants, Saline or Silicone?
If breast implants are chosen for your procedure, we can use saline or FDA-approved silicone implants. At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery, we feel it is important that you choose the type of implant that suits your personal tastes and budget. The options will be more completely discussed in your private consultation.
Many individuals choose silicone implants because they like the option of being able to select from various shapes. Silicone also has a very natural feel on all sides of the implant. If you choose silicone, then for your safety and comfort, we use only genuine FDA-approved silicone implants manufactured by Allergan, the United States’ leading implant and cosmetic medical device supplier.
While silicone breast implants provide more customizable shape, the size must be determined before the procedure, and they are more expensive than saline implants.
Saline implants are less expensive than silicone. Saline implants can be customized during the procedure. Silicone can’t. When saline implants are filled during the procedure, we will compare both sides for uniformity. Then we may fill slightly more or less on one side to enhance symmetry with your body. Saline implants come in various sizes, but not in various shapes. Saline implants look and feel natural to touch. However, underneath the implant, it may be possible to discern you have an implant to the touch. It is worth noting that the material used for the outer lining of saline and silicone breast implants is the same.
How Long will Implants Last?
Both saline and silicone implants will last for decades for 80% of individuals who receive implants. For some, they will last a lifetime. In instances where a saline implant leaks or deflates, the saline solution is absorbed and expelled naturally by the body, usually in a short period of time. The deflated implant will look smaller than the other implant. If that happens you will need to replace one or both implants.
On the other hand, when a silicone implant leaks, it is usually not detectable as easily because the gel material is inert and not absorbed by the body. For this reason, the appearance and feel of the silicone implant may not change following rupture of the outer lining. In order to detect a gel implant rupture, a radiologic study, such as an MRI, may be required. The FDA has recommended that women receiving silicone implants obtain MRI scans at intervals following augmentation. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older. Saline implants can be used in women under the age of 22 if breasts appear to have stopped growing.
Breast Lift or Reduction Procedure Details
Typically, in a breast lift procedure, an incision will be placed in the folds underneath your breasts, as well as the fold to the areola. Occasionally, there are alternatives. These will be discussed with you in your private consultation.
Then, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The areola and nipple are typically repositioned to a more natural, youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Muscles can be repositioned and excess skin is removed to help provide more natural, sexy contours.
If you choose implants, each breast implant will then be placed in the breast pocket, either under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement).
The type of implant and degree of enlargement can influence the method of insertion and positioning of the breast implants. This will be discussed further with you in your private consultation.
If you are seeking a breast reduction, then additional skin and breast tissue will be removed in conjunction with the lift procedure.
Breast Lift or Reduction Liposuction
If you have excess fatty tissue extending from the breast to the area under the arm pit that could benefit from liposuction, then we will perform liposuction in that area to help achieve a more natural contour. This will be discussed further in your private consultation.
Is a Breast Lift Mastopexy or Reduction Covered by Insurance
Some insurance plans will cover a portion, or perhaps all, of a breast lift or reduction procedure. However, fewer insurance plans seem to be covering these procedures, and the approval process can be time consuming, sometimes lasting months, with multiple doctor visits. Many patients don’t find the time and costs worth the effort at approval. A great number prefer to finance their procedure. If you desire to finance, we accept CareCredit cosmetic medical financing, with instant online approval. Visit www.CareCredit.com to find out how much you qualify for.
What Does a Breast Lift Mastopexy or Reduction Cost?
We want you to feel special and better about yourself without an exorbitant cost. We may not be the least expensive. However, you can feel confident at Roberts Cosmetic Surgery that you will get an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, and we periodically offer specials to help you lift your shape and your confidence. We strive to provide an optimal outcome at an affordable price.
We also accept CareCredit cosmetic medical financing, with instant online approval. Visit www.CareCredit.com to find out how much you qualify for.
Before & After
On this page and in the photo gallery below, you will find before and after procedure pictures of actual patients of our breast lift and reduction specialist, Stuart Lipton, MD, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Why Roberts Cosmetic Surgery?
At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery, our goal is not just a natural appearance, but one that looks natural on you. Our breast contouring plastic surgery specialist is Stuart Lipton, MD, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Lipton has performed 100’s of breast augmentation, reduction and lift procedures and has been in practice performing cosmetic plastic surgery for over 29 years.
Our focus in every cosmetic surgical procedure is to minimize signs of surgical intervention. Our goal is to provide a neat incision that fits your body contour and can fade to be minimally visible over time for most patients.
It’s never too late to begin reshaping your future. For a confidential consultation to determine the option that is best for you, please email us or call us today at 972-608-0000.
All Before After pictures depicted on this page are actual Stuart Lipton, MD patients unless indicated otherwise. Banner pictures of individuals on this page are typically models (not patients), unless indicated otherwise.