Determining which breast procedure best fits your unique needs can be challenging, especially when deciding between a breast lift vs. a breast reduction. Both surgeries have distinct benefits, so it’s vital to understand the distinctions and circumstances when each procedure, or a combination of both, is the best approach to help you love your breasts!
A consultation with a breast surgery specialist will take out all the guesswork, but in the meantime, the female plastic surgeon San Diego women trust for all things breast-related, Dr. Katerina Gallus, shares a few indicators to help you determine what procedure might be right for you.
Breast lift vs. Breast reduction: What’s the difference?
Breast lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, primarily reshapes and repositions the breast to achieve a more youthful and perkier breast contour. Over time, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and the natural aging process can cause breasts to sag. These tissue changes typically create a flatter upper breast pole (the top half of your breast) and a bottom-heavy, droopy breast appearance. A breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue; it can also reposition your nipples higher on your breast mound.
Breast reduction
A breast reduction’s primary focus is reducing the size of the breasts. It offers some of the same aesthetic benefits as a lift since both procedures use similar techniques for lifting and contouring, but breast reduction also removes unwanted fat and tissue. Whether you’ve always had larger breasts or life’s twists and turns have given you more than you care to handle, a breast reduction downsizes your breasts.
Assessing your body and goals
Are your concerns primarily about sagging or drooping breasts?
If your main issue is with the position and shape of your breasts rather than their size, a breast lift may be all you need. Consider a breast lift if:
- You are happy with your breast size but concerned about sagging or drooping.
- Your nipples point downwards or rest below the breast crease (inframammary fold).
Are your breasts causing physical discomfort?
If your breasts are a source of pain or discomfort, we’ll likely recommend a breast reduction. This procedure can enhance the aesthetic look of the breasts and also alleviate physical discomfort. A breast reduction may be right for you if:
- You are self-conscious about your breast size or have a “less is more” outlook regarding your bust.
- Your breasts are out of proportion compared to the rest of your body.
- Physical activities and exercise feel restricted due to your breast size.
- You experience skin irritations or rashes beneath your breasts.
- Your shoulders have dents or “bra strap grooving” due to the weight of your breasts.
- You experience physical discomfort due to overly large breasts, like neck, back, and shoulder pain.
- You have significant breast ptosis (drooping).
Do you want to address sagging AND size discomfort?
In cases where the breasts are both overly large and sagging, a combination surgery may best achieve your body goals by addressing these factors:
- Volume and position: If you’re unhappy with both the size and the degree of breast sagging, combining a breast reduction and a breast lift can address both concerns simultaneously.
- Symmetry and proportion: If one breast is significantly larger than the other, a combined procedure can ensure both breasts are symmetrical in size and similarly positioned and shaped—breasts are like eyebrows; they are sisters, not twins!
Breast lifts are typically considered cosmetic and thus not covered by insurance, but breast reductions may be covered if deemed medically necessary. If you’re considering both, check with your insurance provider to understand what your policy covers and share this information with your La Jolla plastic surgeon.
Combining a breast lift with a breast reduction resizes and reshapes the breasts to provide both relief and a more proportionate, youthful appearance.
Consult a professional
Choosing between a breast reduction and a breast lift—or opting for both—deserves careful consideration, and a San Diego plastic surgeon who specializes in both procedures. Dr. Gallus has the meticulous surgical skill and an eye for beauty to tailor your surgery plan to not simply address your concerns, but to create an elegant breast appearance that makes you happy. We offer consultations at our San Diego plastic surgery office!
Trust your bust to Dr. Katerina Gallus“I found out about Dr. Katerina Gallus from a mom group I belong to. I cannot say enough positive things about her and her team. They are all friendly, compassionate, informative, and have excellent bedside manner. I had visited several other plastic surgeons and Dr.Gallus is the only one, I truly felt listened to my concerns. She advises you on what will work best for you. I am absolutely thrilled with my results and so is my husband! I would recommend her a million times over! After surgery, Dr. Gallus and her team have continued to check in on me. I have friends that are now scheduled with her and many more have asked for her office number. If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait, go see her at Restore SD Plastic Surgery!!”
—Tina R., 5-star Google review
When you’re ready to put your best chest forward, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and her expert medical team at our La Jolla plastic surgery center will be with you every step of the way. Please call Restore SD Plastic Surgery at 858-224-2281 or contact us online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gallus! All surgical procedures are performed in our private, on-site, accredited surgical suite.
Get to know Dr. Gallus and learn about plastic surgery (and more!) by tuning into her YouTube video series, Carpools & Cannulas: Modern Motherhood and Plastic Surgery.
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