breast lift or breast reductionIt is not uncommon for women to be dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts. At HKB Cosmetic Surgery, we meet with a number of patients who are not happy with the size of their breasts, with the shape of their breasts, or both. Thankfully, there are numerous cosmetic surgical procedures available to give women breasts that make them completely happy. Breast lifts or breast reduction surgeries represent two of the most common options.

But which surgery is the best fit for your aesthetic needs? The best way to determine whether you’d be better served by a breast lift or a breast reduction is to meet with us for a one-on-one consultation. Additionally, we invite you to consider some basic guidelines about choosing between a breast lift and breast reduction.

What’s the Difference Between a Breast Lift and Breast Reduction?

To begin with, let’s simply define the two procedures.

Breast Lifts

A breast lift is largely unconcerned with the volume of your breasts; in other words, it’s not the breast surgery procedure you’d pick if you wanted to make your breasts either larger or smaller. Instead, a breast lift is all about changing the shape of your breasts. (It is true that, because breast lifts reposition breast tissue, it can sometimes cause the breasts to appear smaller, even if their actual volume is unchanged.)

Basically, when you come in for a breast lift, the plastic surgeon will modify the shape and overall appearance of your breasts, typically through repositioning the nipple to provide a “perkier” look. A breast lift is ideal for women who feel like their breasts have become “saggy,” whether due to maternity and breastfeeding or solely the passage of time.
Generally speaking, HKB Cosmetic Surgery recommends breast lifts for women who struggle with any of the following concerns:

  • You have saggy or drooping breasts, causing you to feel insecure or simply unsatisfied with your appearance
  • You have nipples that point downward or fall below the crease of the breast.
  • The skin on your breasts is stretched out, whether due to maternity or due to fluctuations in weight.
  • Your breasts are uneven in their appearance.

You meet any of these criteria? then it’s possible that a breast lift is just the solution you need. We’d love to meet with you at HKB Cosmetic Surgery to talk more about your eligibility for this procedure.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, on the other hand, is exactly what its name implies: It is a procedure that allows patients to remove some of the volume from their breasts. For women who feel as though their breasts are simply too large, breast reduction may be the best option.

How much volume is removed during a breast reduction procedure? That depends on a number of factors, including the current size and composition of your breasts. Most patients end up going down somewhere between one and two cup sizes, but your surgeon can talk with you in greater individual detail about what kind of results you might expect.

According to what specifications can you tell, you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery? Generally, we recommend breast reduction for women who meet the following criteria:

  • The size of your breasts causes you to struggle with neck, back, or shoulder pain.
  • Your bra straps have left permanent indentations in your shoulders.
  • You often have rashes or irritation on the skin underneath your breasts.
  • You have a hard time finding clothing or undergarments that fit you properly.
  • You simply feel self-conscious or dissatisfied with the size of your breasts.

Any of these concerns apply to you? then you may be an ideal candidate for a breast reduction surgery. To learn more about your qualification for breast reduction, reach out to HKB Cosmetic Surgery to set up a consultation.

Choosing Between a Breast Lift or Breast Reduction?

Choose between getting a breast lift or breast reduction, there are a few additional factors that are worth considering.

What Are Your Goals?

The first thing to consider is what you’re trying to accomplish through plastic surgery. Again, a breast lift is primarily recommended for those who dislike the shape of their breasts; breast reduction is the better option for those who dislike the size of their breasts.

What About Recovery Time?

Something else to think about is the process of recovering from each procedure. Regardless of whether you choose a breast lift or breast reduction, the recovery is usually fairly manageable. In either case, you can anticipate two to four weeks of down time, allowing your body plenty of time to rest and recover. It’s also worth noting that, while both procedures can be accompanied by minimal scarring, the scarring will typically fade considerably during the first year or so.

Do You Have to Choose?

Still another consideration: You don’t actually have to choose between a breast lift or breast reduction. Some women come to us wanting to lose some of their breast volume as well as to reposition the nipple. It’s not only possible but often advisable to have both procedures done at the same time, which can cut back on the recovery time as well as the cost (as opposed to if you had each procedure performed separately).

Are You a Good Candidate for Surgery?

Patient safety is always a top concern, and no matter which procedure you select, it’s important for us to qualify you. During your consultation, we’ll ask about your medical history, ensuring that you don’t have any underlying issues that might prohibit your body from healing as it’s supposed to.

Learn More About Choosing the Right Breast Procedure

Ultimately, the best way to decide between a breast lift or breast reduction is to come meet us at HKB Cosmetic Surgery, where we can talk with you in greater detail about your individual goals. To schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, we invite you to contact HKB Cosmetic Surgery at any time.