Have you struggled with large, heavy breasts for most of your life? Did the size of your breasts change after pregnancy or following the loss of a significant amount of weight? If so, you may be considering a breast reduction or lift - or both. These popular procedures can be performed separately or in combination to reduce the size of the breasts and reposition them on the body so that women may feel more comfortable and confident in their appearance.
The board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY have extensive experience performing breast reductions and lifts and are highly regarded as experts in the field. They detail the specifics of these transformative surgeries and explain why they are beneficial for some Long Island-area patients.
What is a breast reduction?
Also known as reduction mammoplasty, breast reduction surgery involves removing excess skin, fat, and tissue to decrease the size and reshape the breasts. This highly customizable procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and may take several hours to complete. In most cases, a keyhole-shaped incision is made around the areola and extends to the breast crease. Otherwise, an incision that resembles an upside-down T can be employed to remove and reshape the breast tissue.
When the breasts hang low, it is possible for the nipple and areola to be removed and grafted higher on the breast so that they may have a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Sutures will be made deep in the breast tissue to support the new shape of the breasts prior to the incisions being closed.
Who is a candidate?
For Long Island women, several factors may come into play when deciding whether to move forward with breast reduction surgery. If you are unsure if this procedure will benefit you, the board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery suggest asking yourself these questions:
Do you consider your breasts to be unusually heavy?
When wearing a bra, do you develop deep depressions or grooves on your shoulders?
Are you self-conscious about the size of your breasts?
Are the areas beneath your breasts frequently irritated?
Are you displeased with the size of your breasts?
Do your breasts impact your posture or cause your neck, shoulder or back pain?
Do you have difficulty finding clothing that fits well?
Are the size of your breasts preventing you from participating in physical activities?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, breast reduction may be a good option for you.
However, patients who smoke, are obese, have heart and other medical conditions such diabetes, or are uncomfortable with having surgical scars on their breasts may not be well-suited for the procedure. Similarly, patients who have not finished having children may wish to postpone breast reduction surgery since pregnancy and breastfeeding may impact the results of the procedure. Likewise, if you intend to lose weight with diet and exercise, it may be wise to hold off on surgery until you are at or close to your goal weight since fluctuations in weight can cause changes to the size of the breasts.
What is a breast lift?
Mastopexy, better known as a breast lift, is performed to tighten underlying tissue and lift the breasts so that they may be positioned higher on the body. This usually lends a more perky, youthful look. In most cases, little or no breast tissue is removed. With this procedure, it is possible to improve the overall appearance of a woman’s silhouette.
As we age, the skin on the breasts tends to lose firmness and elasticity. This also may occur as a result of pregnancy, changes in weight gain, and gravity, which can cause ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag. With this procedure, the position of the nipples and areola are corrected so that the breasts look more symmetrical in their new position. Besides lifting your breasts, this surgery may also be effective for boosting confidence about your appearance.
For most breast lifts, the plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery make anchor-shaped incisions around the nipples, which continue down to and follow the natural breast crease. Excess skin and tissue are removed before the nipple is relocated to a more appropriate area of the reshaped breast. The incisions are then stitched closed.
Who needs a lift?
No two bodies age at the same pace. However, you may have noticed changes in your breast that signal the need for a breast lift to restore their former shape. You may be a candidate for this procedure if:
Volume has decreased in the upper portion of your breasts.
The breasts are no longer as firm as they once were.
The bulk of your breast tissue has shifted downward.
Your breasts have taken on a pendulous shape.
The nipples are situated at or below the natural breast fold.
The skin on your breasts appears loose.
The breasts are not the same size or shape as one another.
Long Island women who are in good health and whose breasts are small-to-medium in size may be excellent candidates for a breast lift. In general, larger breasts do not respond well to the surgery and the results may not be as long-lasting. Following an examination, the expert plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery will determine whether a breast lift can provide you with the improved appearance that you desire.
When to have breast reduction with a lift?
When a patient is displeased or experiences issues with both the size and positioning (or sagging) of her breasts, a breast reduction performed in conjunction with a breast lift may be recommended. This procedure works to remove excess breast tissue that may cause pain and discomfort and hindered physical activity. It also reshapes and repositions the breasts for a more appealing appearance.
Do you still have questions?
If you are unsure whether you may benefit from a breast reduction or a breast lift - or both of these procedures - contact Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY. Our board-certified plastic surgeons are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in performing both of these surgeries and are dedicated to educating Long Island area patients about their options.
