Key Summary
- A breast lift does not significantly alter breast size, but the procedure can minimize sagging and reshape the breasts for more youthful and projected contours. If enhanced volume is also desired, Dr. Bottger can combine mastopexy with breast implants during a combination “breast lift with implants” procedure.
- Procedures to enlarge breast size include breast augmentation with implants, fat transfer breast augmentation, or a dual approach involving both techniques
- Treatment options to reduce the size and weight of the breasts include breast reduction, a specialized teenage breast reduction procedure, or gynecomastia surgery for men.
The primary goal of mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, is to lift and firm the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. Since — in addition to the skin — fat and glandular tissue may be removed during a breast lift, the procedure begs the question of whether this surgery will change a patient’s breast size.
In general, a breast lift does not significantly alter volume. That said, mastopexy can make the breasts seem relatively smaller due to the sheer nature of removing excess skin, which reduces overall breast surface area. While the procedure may reduce the breasts by up to one cup size, the improvements made during surgery are designed to better refine the breast contours and provide a more aesthetic, “perky” shape. This is typically considered favorable, and many women appreciate their tighter, more youthful breast contours after the procedure.
Enhancing Breast Size: Adding Volume, Roundness, and Fuller Contours
For those looking for an increase in size, there are a myriad of breast procedures to achieve fuller proportions. Breast enlargement not only means enhancing size, but it’s also designed to address asymmetry, shape, lack of cleavage, and upper pole fullness. Based on your anatomical needs and the contours you envision for your final results, potential treatment options include:
- Implants: Breast implants are the most popular and dynamic way to enlarge breast size. During a breast augmentation, silicone or saline implants are placed beneath the breast tissue or chest muscle to add volume, projection, and fullness. Implants come in various sizes, profiles, and shapes, allowing Dr. Bottger to customize the enhancement to your goals. Whether you want a subtle boost or a more dramatic transformation, implants can correct breast asymmetry and restore lost volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
- Fat Transfer: Fat transfer breast augmentation enhances breast size using a patient’s own natural fat. This technique involves using liposuction to harvest fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, purifying those fat cells, and carefully injecting them into the breasts. While the increase in size is typically more modest than with implants, fat transfer provides a soft, natural look and feel. This technique can be ideal for patients who desire a subtle enhancement without foreign materials, or who want to conceal the edges of an implant using a natural approach.
- Implants Plus Fat Transfer: Combining implants with fat transfer can often provide the best of both augmentation techniques. The implant supplies a reliable base of volume and projection, while fat grafting allows Dr. Bottger to fine-tune contours and smooth transitions for a more natural appearance.
Reducing Breast Size: Restoring a More Comfortable and Proportional Bust
On the other hand, you may want a smaller size in order to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, reduce unwanted attention, enjoy a better fit in clothing, or simply restore lighter, more proportional breasts. For women (or men) with excess glandular tissue, treatment options include:
- Breast Reduction: Breast reduction surgery is designed to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create smaller, lighter, and more proportionate breasts. This procedure not only reduces breast size, but also lifts and reshapes the breasts for a more youthful contour.
- Teenage Reduction: Teenage breast reduction follows the same principles as adult breast reduction, but is carefully tailored to help younger patients whose excessive breast size has developed early in life. Overly large breasts can cause emotional distress, difficulty with physical activities, and chronic discomfort even during adolescence. With the consent of a parent or guardian, board-certified plastic surgeon David Bottger, MD performs the procedure with great care to ensure safety and effective results during surgery.
- Gynecomastia Surgery: Gynecomastia surgery, often called male breast reduction, is performed to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. This condition, known as gynecomastia, can be caused by hormonal changes, genetics, medications, or other factors. The procedure typically involves removing excess glandular tissue and fat through excision, liposuction, or both. The result is a flatter, firmer, and more masculine chest contour. For men who feel self-conscious about their chest, gynecomastia surgery can provide lasting physical and emotional relief.
Breast Lift with Implants: Improved Volume, Shape, and Positioning
If your goals include obtaining additional breast volume, you may consider breast augmentation-mastopexy — an option that places breast implants or potentially fat grafts in the same treatment plan as a breast lift. This dual procedure not only lifts sagging breasts — giving them a firmer and more youthful appearance — but also adds volume and improves shape. The result is a more pronounced and aesthetically pleasing breast contour that can significantly boost confidence. These procedures are not always performed at the same time, as spacing them out can enhance the quality and longevity of the final results. Dr. Bottger can assess your needs during a consultation to determine the best approach.
Regardless of your motivations for pursuing breast surgery, Dr. Bottger offers a variety of options to enhance volume, shape, symmetry, size, and more. Contact our Philadelphia office to schedule a consultation, or to learn more about our services.
Editor’s note: The original version of this blog was published on July 29, 2024.