Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction: Which One Will Be Best for You?

When it comes to improving the appearance of drooping, sagging breasts, the best way of restoring them to a perkier, more youthful position is with a breast lift. Palm Desert’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute often meets with patients who are unsure about which type of breast surgery they need to reach their goals.

Lack of volume may sometimes be a problem that causes patients to be dissatisfied with their breasts. In other cases, having too much volume is the issue. Other patients may not be happy with the shape of their breasts. A combination of aging, pregnancy, genetics, and weight fluctuations can cause breasts to lose their firmness and shape.

Both breast lift surgery and breast reduction are great options for patients who want to alter the appearance and position of their breasts. The procedures have a high patient satisfaction rate and can provide increased self-confidence.

There are some important differences and similarities between a breast lift and breast reduction that you should be aware of if you are unsure about which one will be most suitable for you. Even though both procedures are used to alter the breasts and can also improve the position of the areolas, the similarities end there. They offer completely different results, and the surgeries aren’t the same.

Setting up a consultation with a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon can help you decide which option best fits your needs. Open communication with your surgeon is critical to get the best possible results. Your consultation is the perfect time to ask any questions you have about the surgery, discuss any concerns you have, and talk about your goals. 

A breast lift is mainly intended to correct breast ptosis (sagging), nipple displacement, and loose or excess skin. As extra skin is removed, the breasts may seem as if they’re smaller. However, the surgery typically involves the removal of excess skin, not excess tissue. It’s an ideal technique for women who have sagging breasts and want to restore a more youthful appearance. Sagging skin is an issue that can’t be corrected with breast augmentation.

On the other hand, a breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty), significantly reduces breast volume to provide relief from excess weight on the chest area and sculpt more proportional contours. You may not be able to attain the exact cup size you want—because your ultimate breast size depends on their starting size, the composition of the breasts themselves, your goals, and other factors—but patients are typically satisfied with their results and enjoy the reduction in weight on their chest. Reduction also often has the side effect of making the breasts appear to be more lifted. 

The main difference between these two surgeries is that a breast reduction helps to decrease volume whereas a breast lift improves the shape and appearance of the breasts. Breast lift surgery is often recommended for patients who are mostly satisfied with their breast size but unhappy about sagging skin.

Remember also that there’s no need for you to choose just one of these procedures. It’s common for patients to combine these two surgeries. It’s safe to combine these plastic surgery procedures, and it can help you to obtain comprehensive results faster—not to mention overall downtime and recovery are reduced. 

Like any other medical treatments, these procedures do have their risks. To prepare for either of these surgeries, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to get lab testing or a medical evaluation, stop taking certain medications or adjust how you’re taking them, quit smoking, get a baseline mammogram before and after surgery, and not take aspirin, other blood thinners, or anti-inflammatory drugs that increase the risk of bleeding.  

Want to learn more about the benefits of various types of breast surgery? For more advice about breast reduction and breast lift procedures, contact the Pal Desert-based team at Cosmetic Surgery Institute. Contact them directly at (760) 837-0364 or submit a contact form to schedule an appointment.