For many women, the breasts are often closely linked with their idea of femininity and identity. Gravity, aging, pregnancy, and even weight fluctuations can affect the appearance of the breasts. When they’re dissatisfied with their breast appearance due to sagging, it can greatly impact their confidence and overall body image. A breast lift can help restore youthful, firmer breasts by addressing sagging skin and tissues. However, many women considering a breast lift are concerned that the procedure may make their breasts smaller.
While a breast lift may impact the bra size you wear, it may not be because your breasts are smaller. Rather, you may need a smaller cup size due to your new breast shape and contour. A breast lift raises the position of the breasts and can also reduce the size of enlarged nipples or areolae, which also may give the appearance of smaller breasts.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is an expert at breast lift surgery in Long Island, NY. A breast lift is a customizable solution to breast sagging by eliminating excess skin, reshaping the breast tissues, and lifting them to a more youthful position on the chest wall. During your consultation, Dr. Vandegrift will evaluate your anatomy and consider your lifestyle, aesthetic goals, and personal preferences to recommend the right breast rejuvenation procedure for your needs.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, medically known as a mastopexy, is an ideal solution to rejuvenate sagging breasts. This surgical procedure enhances and restores the appearance of the breasts by removing excess lax skin, reshaping and tightening the breast tissues, and repositioning the breasts higher on the chest wall for a more youthful contour.
Rather than increasing volume, a breast lift focuses on raising and reshaping the breasts. This procedure can help restore body confidence and a more youthful overall figure for women experiencing sagging breasts.
Breast lifts offer many benefits and address many signs of aging, including:
- Downward pointing nipples
- Asymmetrical breasts
- Nipples lower than the inframammary fold (crease under the breast)
- Changes to breast shape after weight loss, aging, or pregnancy
- Breasts that have lost youthful firmness and feel soft
- Enlarged or stretched out nipples or areola
As a specialist in breast rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Vandegrift offers multiple variations of incision patterns and surgical options to customize breast lifts. Breast lift procedures may vary based on the amount of quality breast tissues present, degree of laxity, size, and shape.
Will a Breast Lift Make My Breasts Smaller?
In general, a breast lift alone does not remove excess volume, so it will not make your breasts smaller. However, by elevating the breasts higher on the chest wall and decreasing the size of stretched-out areolas, a breast lift can make your breasts appear smaller.
A breast lift removes excess skin and tightens drooping tissues. After a breast lift, you may feel more comfortable in a smaller bra. You will no longer need a larger or loose-fitting bra to accommodate the excess tissues or sagging skin. Often, breast lift patients lose about a cup size. However, bra sizes are not standardized and can greatly vary by manufacturer and style. After the swelling resolves, Dr. Vandegrift recommends getting measured and fitted for a bra that will comfortably and correctly support your breasts.
If you have larger, pendulous breasts and are dissatisfied because of their size, a breast lift can be paired with a breast reduction to remove excess tissue, skin, and fat. A breast reduction can eliminate the discomfort and pain associated with large breasts, including back, shoulder, and neck pain, and reduce mental and emotional concerns.
Can I Have a Breast Lift with Implants?
Breast lift procedures focus addressing breast sagging and skin laxity to reshape and lift the breast position higher on the chest wall and eliminate sagging tissues. Rather than increasing the breast size or volume, the breasts typically remain at a similar, if not slightly smaller, size after a breast lift. To increase volume or size, a breast lift can be paired with a breast augmentation, or a breast lift with implants, to enhance shape and projection as well as sagging in a single procedure.
Pairing a Breast Lift with Other Procedures
To restore the appearance of the breasts and overall figure, breast lifts, with or without implants, are often included a crucial part of a Long Island mommy makeover procedure. Other procedures typically paired with a breast lift include:
Meredith Vandegrift, MD—Your Long Island Breast Lift Expert!
Optimal breast lift results and a healthy recovery start by choosing the right provider. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is your dedicated partner through every step of your breast rejuvenation journey to restore your more youthful contours with Long Island’s best breast lift.
Are you ready to partner with one of Long Island’s premier breast lift surgeons? Contact us today or call (631) 935-0303 to schedule your consultation and learn how a breast lift can enhance your overall figure!