Overview:

Many women may feel that their breasts don’t match their overall body physique, experiencing discomfort due to large and droopy breasts or displeasure with changes resulting from aging, pregnancy, or menopause. Two surgical procedures are available in such cases: breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) and breast uplift (mastopexy).

Procedure Details:

Although the goals of breast reduction and breast lift differ, they both aim to create more youthful and naturally shaped breasts. Both involve elevating the nipple/areolar from a lower, droopier position to a more natural centering on the breast mound. In a breast reduction, breast tissue and excess skin are resected to reduce breast volume, while in a breast lift, only excess skin is removed. The remaining breast tissue and nipples are repositioned using either a short “lollipop” incision or the more traditional “anchor” type procedure. The nipple is elevated in both procedures, and if a patient perceives her breasts to be small as well as droopy, small breast implants may be inserted simultaneously.

Duration of Procedure:

Typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the reduction or lift.