Breast lift (mastopexy) v breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty), what is the difference between the two and which one is right for you?

There are many different options for women who wish to reposition, reduce and or reshape their breasts. It is common to wonder if a breast lift is part of a breast reduction or if both are necessary.

Reduction mammoplasty and Mastopexy are similar in that both surgeries lift and re-shape the breasts. They also both reduce the areola size too if you wish. But the similarities stop there. Mastopexy does not require removal of breast tissue, only the loose skin nor will it change the breast size markedly. A Reduction mammoplasty will remove excess breast tissue and hence reduce the size and volume of your breasts to your desire.

 

How do I decide which procedure is the right one for me?

 

Too much breast tissue is known as ‘macromastia’. If your goal is to reduce the volume and weight of your breasts, then a breast reduction will be required. All breast reductions will involve lifting the breasts.

Breast sag is called ‘ptosis’. If your primary concern is changing the silhouette of your breasts so they are perkier, firmer and higher, but not smaller, then a breast lift would be best.

Although they are different surgeries, both result in a high patient satisfaction rate. The vast majority of women who undergo breast reduction or lift report a high degree of satisfaction with their results in term of increased self-confidence, reduced ache and improved posture in the upper back, neck and shoulder regions. Not to mention the ease of buying clothing, bras and swimwear off the rack easily.

Women can often breastfeed after recovering from either operation.

 

Breast lift

A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is performed to offer a more aesthetically pleasing shape, especially if the breasts sag due to breastfeeding, pregnancy or old age. Women undertaking a breast lift, called a mastopexy, often do so because of age, breastfeeding, weight loss. The breasts are restored to a perkier and firmer shape. The breast is reshaped and the nipple and areola returned to the point of prominence on the new breast mound to give the breast a youthful appearance.

The areolas can also be reduced at the same time to create a better proportion with the new  breast.

It is certainly possible to lift a breast without changing the volume markedly or removing any tissue, however, if there is a lot of droop and very little breast tissue, the volume after a breast lift alone may be too small. Therefore this surgery may be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation to enhance the volume of the breasts. Asymmetry of the breasts is also corrected for equal firmness, size and position.

This procedure requires general anaesthesia administered by a fully qualified and experienced anaesthetist.

A breast lift can be performed on adult patients of any age. Developing teens are discouraged from getting a breast lift until their breasts are fully developed.

There are several factors that can help you determine if a breast lift is for you:

• Your breasts have an elongated shape or look pendulous. They also seem flatter than normal.
• When you’re not wearing a bra, your nipples drop lower than your breast crease.
• One of your breasts droops lower than the other.
• Your breasts’ areolas or nipples are pointing downward.

 

Breast reduction

Breast reduction, also called reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove breast tissue and skin to recontour the breasts and reduce their size. At the same time the nipples can be repositioned and the areolas reduced. Asymmetry of the breasts is also corrected.

A breast reduction will reduce the size of the breasts, while also enhancing their aesthetic balance. The procedure involves removing excess fat, breast tissue and stretched skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter and firmer.

 

Breast reduction is normally undertaken to alleviate neck, shoulder, and back pain. It provides relief of discomfort from large breasts, especially while exercising. It will also help to reduce the skin irritation underneath the breast crease, especially during the hotter months.

This procedure requires general anaesthesia administered by a fully qualified and experienced anaesthetist, and often involves an overnight hospital stay.

A breast reduction can be performed on adult patients of any age. Developing teens are discouraged from getting a breast reduction until their breasts are fully developed.