Will a Breast Lift Reduce My Cup Size?

Gravity may keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, but unfortunately it also has many unwanted effects on the body! The effects of gravity in conjunction with aging and weight fluctuations can lead to sagging skin almost anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, and breasts. This post will discuss one surgical solution many women are interested in learning about to reverse sagging of the breasts called mastopexy, or breast lift. First, I will explain this procedure and its benefits, before addressing a common question asked by many women considering this procedure, “Will a breast lift reduce my cup size?”

Sagging breasts is one the most common complaints women have about their bodies, making them feel less attractive, self-conscious, or unable to wear the clothes they want. Unfortunately, this problem is almost inevitable as we age and our tissues lose their elasticity. Dr. Traci Temmen understands the toll this problem can have on a woman’s quality of life, and is happy to offer her surgical expertise to help many women regain their confidence. As with any surgery, the first vital step is to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s experienced in the area of interest and discuss your goals for the surgery as well as thoroughly review your medical and surgical history. During this visit, Dr. Temmen also performs a thorough physical exam and takes measurements of the breasts to precisely plan for surgery. On the day of surgery, the patient will meet her entire care team dedicated to her safety and comfort before being taken to the OR. During surgery, an incision will be made around the nipple-areola complex, or the border between the colored skin around the nipple and the rest of the breast. This allows the nipple and areola to be lifted to a higher position on the breast, as well as reduced in size if that is something the patient desires. For women with a mild degree of ptosis (sagging), this incision may be all that is needed. For those with moderate to severe ptosis, a second vertical incision may be made that connects the bottom of the circular incision to 2-4 cm above the breast fold. This incision is important for further tightening the skin and tissues in patients with higher degrees of breast sagging. Patients may be familiar with the combination of these two incisions commonly called the “lollipop incision”. While this may seem like a large incision to many patients, most find that it fades significantly and becomes only barely noticeable over time. Patients will discuss incision size and location with Dr. Temmen in the consultation and decide together if the patient’s goals are best achieved through just the peri-areolar incision or the combination lollipop incision.

Now that we have gone through the basics of how this procedure works, let’s address the common question, “Will a breast lift reduce my cup size?” The way that a breast lift works is by removing excess skin and tissue to lift and tighten the breasts. Since this involves removing some excess tissue, most women will find that a breast lift reduces their cup size by about one letter. However, most women are significantly happier with their overall breast appearance because their breasts are much perkier, and actually appear fuller despite being slightly smaller because the tissues are tightened. For women who want to maintain or increase their breast size after a breast lift, adding implants during this procedure may be an excellent option. This couples the benefits of reducing sagging and lifting the breasts to a more youthful position with a simultaneous increase in volume to give additional fullness to the breasts. Which option is better for the patient depends on their lifestyle, anatomy, and how they ultimately want to look, and can be discussed in detail with their plastic surgeon during their consultation.

Dr. Traci Temmen is highly trained and experienced in cosmetic breast surgery, including breast lift, breast augmentation using implants, and combined breast lift with implants. She enjoys working with each individual patient to help them reach their goals, and patients appreciate her commitment to perfection and gentle bedside manner. If you are interested in exploring one of the surgical options discussed or any other plastic surgery you are interested in, call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today.