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Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction: What’s the Difference?
Both breast lift surgery and breast reduction surgery are designed to help you achieve your ideal breast shape, proportion and contour. However, while these procedures address many of the same concerns and often employ the same incisions, there are some key differences that you should know about.
Many patients are unsure whether they need a breast lift, breast reduction or a combination of both. This blog will provide an overview of the key similarities and some differences between these procedures including the concerns each one addresses, ideal candidates, expected results and how to determine which option may best align with your goals.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction Surgery
- Benefits of a Breast Lift and Breast Reduction
- Am I an Ideal Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
- Am I an Ideal Candidate for a Breast Reduction?
- Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction Results
- Can I Undergo Breast Reduction and a Breast Lift at the Same Time?
Understanding Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction Surgery
While both procedures can improve your desired breast appearance and most often use the same incisions, some of the primary goals are different.
Breast Lift Surgery
The primary motivation for a breast lift (mastopexy) is to lift and reshape droopy breasts that have lost their youthful characteristics such as through weight loss, pregnancy and aging. This is accomplished by tissue reshaping, removal of excess skin, contouring and lifting the breasts and nipple-areola complexes up on the chest wall to a more natural position.
A reduction in breast size is not the motivating factor though there actually will be some size decrease for a few reasons. Many women, in fact, often combine this procedure with a breast augmentation at the same time to provide more fullness, firmness and a larger size.
Breast Reduction Surgery
On the other hand, the primary motivation for breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty or reduction mammaplasty) is to substantially reduce the size of very large breasts that are associated with a variety of physical issues and, quite often, psychological ones as well. There is often marked neck, back and shoulder pains, skin rashes, grooving of the shoulders, inability to engage in physical activities, problems finding clothes that fit and more.
Benefits of a Breast Lift and Breast Reduction
Both a breast lift and a breast reduction have many similar overlapping benefits. These can be cosmetic, functional and emotional in nature. Some of these include:
- Less skin irritation from sagging breasts (depends on degree of severity)
- More comfort when exercising
- More comfort when fitting into clothing
- Breasts that appear perkier, youthful and lifted
- Improved breast shape and symmetry
- Enhanced self-confidence
Women undergoing a breast reduction may also experience these additional benefits:
- Relief from back, neck and shoulder pains caused by large breasts
- Better posture
- Being able to engage in exercising, sports and other physical activities that were either limited due to breast size or even avoided
- Smaller, lighter and more proportional breasts
- A feeling of less unwanted attention and comments
Am I an Ideal Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery typically struggle with visible breast sagging and want to correct breast position, shape and symmetry.
Qualities of a good candidate for a breast lift include:
- Droopy breasts
- A decrease in breast firmness with lax skin
- A nipple-areola complex that points downward or appears enlarged
- Asymmetrical breasts
- Good overall health
- Being a non-smoker or quitting before and after surgery
- Realistic expectations about what a breast lift can accomplish
For patients also seeking an increase in breast size, a breast lift may be performed together with a breast augmentation. During your consultation, Dr. Turkeltaub will assess your anatomy and medical history to determine whether a combined procedure fits your needs and goals.
Am I an Ideal Candidate for a Breast Reduction?
Ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery often face upper body pain due to their large breasts, as well as some degree of social anxiety due to the attention that a large chest often brings.
Good breast reduction candidates also have:
- Overly large, disproportionate breasts that usually hang down toward the abdomen
- Irritation, chronic skin rashes and skin indentations from bra straps
- An inability to find comfortable, supportive clothes
- Asymmetrical breasts
- An inability to comfortably engage in sports, exercise and physical activity
- Good overall health
- No problem stopping smoking habits before and after surgery
- Realistic expectations about what breast reduction can do
Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction Results
Once the swelling, bruising and discomfort subside, breast lift patients can expect perkier, firmer and more elevated breasts that feel and look both attractive and youthful. The downward-facing or low-situated nipples are resized and appropriately positioned. Scars are strategically placed to be hidden by clothing and swimsuits.
On the other hand, breast reduction patients will experience lighter, smaller and more proportionate breasts. Much like breast lift surgery, your new breasts may be positioned higher and have a perkier projection to complement your new breast size. Improved comfort during exercise, greater freedom when clothes shopping and reduced upper body pain will be noticeable
While both surgical procedures are designed to be long-lasting, factors such as aging, future pregnancies, hormonal changes and significant weight loss or gain can still affect or reverse your results. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle can help preserve your results for a longer period of time.
Can I Undergo Breast Reduction and a Breast Lift at the Same Time?
For patients undergoing a breast reduction and whose breasts are droopy, a breast lift is actually an intrinsic part of the procedure. Your breasts will be reduced in size as well as lifted up to provide you with smaller and perkier breasts.
Schedule Your Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Consultation in Phoenix
Whether you’re considering a breast lift or a breast reduction, both of these procedures require a skilled, experienced and reputable plastic surgeon who can help you realize the results that you are seeking. For patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, all of Arizona and beyond, Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub has decades of surgical experience in cosmetic and corrective breast procedures. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and approaches each patient with compassion, high standards for patient safety and detailed treatment planning catered to your needs.
To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub, reach out to the Arizona Center for Breast Surgery team by calling (480) 451-3000 or filling out our online contact form today.