Breast lift and breast reduction are two surgical techniques designed to enhance the appearance of the breasts. While both can produce dramatic results, many women are confused by which technique is right for them. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rubinstein performs both procedures in the joint commission certified surgical suite at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists of Newburgh, New York. He is happy to meet with patients for a consultation to discuss their goals and the most appropriate technique to help them achieve those goals.
What is a Breast Lift?
The breast lift is a surgical procedure that is designed to reduce sagging, uplift the breasts, and make them more firm and supple. The incision usually is made along the natural contour of the breast where excess skin will be removed. It can be a good solution for women that have sagging breasts due to aging, pregnancy, and breast feeding. While it will uplift the breasts and restore a more youthful appearance, the breasts will continue to age and sagging may reoccur in the future.
What is a Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the amount of breast tissue. During surgery, excess skin may be removed as well to improve sagging. The incision is typically made around the nipple, extending vertically down to the crease, and then ending in a horizontal line within the breast crease. Through this incision, excess breast tissue and skin are removed. This type of surgery is recommended for women that experience a significant amount of discomfort due to the weight and size of their breasts. They may have difficulty engaging in exercise, wearing certain types of clothing, and daily activities may be challenging for them overall. Women that are over the age of 50 may have significantly larger breasts than they had when they were younger and may feel the need to undergo a breast reduction. In other cases, younger women may naturally have larger breasts or breasts which have remained larger following pregnancy.
Determining Your Eligibility
In order to understand which surgery is right for you, it is best to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon. Determining the correct technique generally depends on whether there is excess breast tissue or excess skin. Women who are small breasted but feel that their breasts are droopy or saggy can benefit from a breast lift. In some cases, significantly saggy breasts may appear much larger than they actually are but removing excess skin alone with the breast lift will make them appear more uplifted as well as smaller in size. Women with larger breasts who want smaller breasts and a lift can benefit from breast reduction.
