September 2023

Do I Need A Breast Reduction
Or A Breast Lift?

Do I Need A Breast Reduction Or A Breast Lift?

Many women who come into my practice are initially confused about what procedure will best achieve the breast aesthetic they desire. It's understandable. The barrage of social media mixed with micro-influencers and celebrity whispers of cosmetic surgery creates a great deal of mystery around what procedure will provide the best results for more youthful breasts.

When it comes to breasts, size and shape are interrelated. Breast reduction surgery is a classic example in that the procedure includes a breast lift AND reduction in the size (volume) of breast tissue. But women will often ask if they need breast reduction surgery or breast lifting surgery.

Here's how to tell-

How To Tell If You Need A Breast Lift

Woman wearing white workout bra, holding breasts up

Many moms will come into my practices feeling deflated about the appearance of their breasts after pregnancy and weight loss. It's common for most women to experience some degree of saggy breast tissue and less volume overall.

A breast lift is a surgical procedure that involves removing the excess loose skin, elevating the nipple/areolar complex, and reshaping the breast to a rounder, perkier shape.

Women who need breast lifts

Most women who opt for a breast reduction struggle with the following due to their breast size and weight:

-Physical activity limitations
-Back and neck discomfort
-Poor posture
-Difficulty breathing and sleeping
-Chronic skin rashes
-Difficulty finding clothing with proper support (asps.org)

How Is A Breast Lift Done?

A breast lift is most often done using 1 of 3 techniques, depending on the degree of correction needed to give a beautiful outcome.

The Three Breast Lift Techniques

Benelli Breast Lift

The Benelli Lift is also known as a “Donut Lift". This technique involves making an incision around the outside of the areola in a donut shape.

Vertical Breast Lift

The Lollipop Lift gets its name because the scar lines mimic a lollipop around the areola, with a round incision around the areola going down the lower-middle part of the breast to the inframammary fold.

Anchor Breast Lift

Also known as a Full Breast Lift, the Anchor Lift is accomplished using an incision around the areolea, a vertical incision from the nipple to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision in the breast crease of variable length.

Choosing Between a Breast Lift and Breast Reduction

A breast reduction is designed to lift the breast while reducing its overall size. While a breast lift involves the simple removal of excess skin, a full breast reduction involves removing breast tissue to reduce the size of the breasts. It's a total game-changer for women who suffer from heavy breasts that sag well below the breast fold.

The amount of breast tissue removed is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the degree of sag involved and the new size desired by the patients.

Before and After Breast Lift by Dallas Breast Surgeon, Dr. John Burns

Before and after breast lift by Dallas plastic surgeon, Dr. John Burns

Breast Reduction = Breast and Back Relief

Before and after breast reduction by Dallas

Breast reductions are one of the most popular plastic procedures because it helps women both look and feel so much better. Women with large, heavy breasts can have a variety of unpleasant symptoms including headaches, neck aches, backaches, bra strap grooving, rashes under the breasts, difficulty finding clothing, poor posture, and the psychological effect of living with unattractive breasts. The added benefit is that having smaller, perky breasts look great!

Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat recently admitted to having breast reduction surgery, stating that they wished they would have done the surgery sooner. All of my breast reduction patients share the same feelings, and they frequently describe the sensation of a literal weight being lifted off their chest.

Before and after Breast lift by Dr. John Burns

Less Sag = Less of a Drag for Breast Lift Patients Too

My breast lift patients can also experience some of these benefits as well. Breasts that hang low aren’t properly positioned on the chest and the pendulous hanging tissue causes back pain and poor posture. By surgically lifting the breast, your plastic surgeon re-positions the breast tissue over the chest muscle. Since the upper spine is better designed to support the breasts, many patients report improved posture after a breast lift.

Learn More In A Complimentary Consultation

Regardless, having breast lift surgery or a breast reduction will leave you looking perky and feeling refreshed. Patient satisfaction with both procedures is very high. Recovery times for both procedures are typically about a week with breast reductions taking slightly longer.

With both procedures, the primary concern for most women is the visible scars that come with having these types of rejuvenation surgeries. In my plastic surgery practice, we pay careful attention to your scars. All of our patients are referred to EpiCentre Skincare & Laser Center where they can receive treatment with medical-grade scar therapy, silicone sheeting, and laser therapy to refine and optimize visible scars.

Complimentary Consult