which breast surgery is right for you: breast lift or breast reduction?

Many women struggle with the appearance of their breasts as they get older. Natural aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and genetics may cause drooping and/or overly large breasts. You may find yourself weighing your breast surgery options to reach your cosmetic goals for a proportionate and even bust. Our board-certified plastic surgeon can determine whether breast lift or breast reduction suits your needs during your one-on-one consultation.

Erwin Bulan, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Millburn and an award-winning physician named “Top Doc in Plastic Surgery” for eight consecutive years by New Jersey Family magazine and one of “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

WHAT CAN BREAST LIFT DO FOR YOU?

Breast lift, or mastopexy, addresses drooping breasts (ptosis), loose skin, and displaced nipples. The procedure lifts the breast mound and tightens the tissues for firmer, perkier breasts. This breast surgery is best for women with flat breasts and downward-pointing nipples with stretched skin that causes the bottom portion of the breast and the nipples to hang below the breast crease. Ptosis often happens after aging, pregnancy, or nursing, but overly large breasts (macromastia) can also lead to sagging breasts.

Mastopexy repositions the breast tissue and raises the nipple higher on the chest wall. The surgery may make breasts appear smaller but only removes excess skin, not tissue. Many women combine breast lift with breast augmentation to restore lost volume in the upper breast with implants.

WHAT CAN BREAST REDUCTION DO FOR YOU?

Women with heavy, large breasts that overpower their figure can experience chronic pain, poor posture, skin irritation, and limited range of motion because of the excess weight on their chest. Some women have breathing and sleep difficulties caused by macromastia. Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is medically necessary to reduce the strain on the body and alleviate these painful symptoms.

The procedure removes excess breast tissue and skin, repositions the nipple-areolar complex, and reshapes the remaining tissue for a more proportionate bust. While women seeking a reduction may have breast ptosis, they typically want the procedure to reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Candidates for breast reduction have health issues or personal struggles with their large breasts, and established symptoms.

WHICH BREAST SURGERY FITS YOUR NEEDS?

Breast lift and breast reduction have high patient satisfaction rates with a similar recovery timeline of two to four weeks. These procedures focus on different concerns, though some women may have both breast ptosis and macromastia and require a combination approach. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the only way to figure out if breast reduction or breast lift is right for you. Dr. Bulan will evaluate your bust and discuss your symptoms and cosmetic concerns, then suggest the breast surgery to achieve your ideal breast surgery results.

Contact Bulan Plastic Surgery in Millburn, New Jersey, at (973) 467-9744 or fill out our online contact form.