Breast Surgeries - The Difference Between a Lift, Enlargement and Reduction Surgery

A variety of cosmetic procedures exist to enhance the look and size of the breasts, including lift, enlargement or reduction surgeries. The nature and outcomes of these procedures vary greatly and should be chosen based on a patient's body type and their particular cosmetic surgery goals.

The following article lists the differences between these procedures and explains which patient is best suited for a breast lift, enlargement or reduction procedure. As always, for personal questions regarding cosmetic surgery (such as the impact on your particular body), it's best to consult with a licensed plastic surgeon for a trusted opinion on the matter.

Therefore, details regarding the procedures listed above are as follows:

Lift: This procedure (also known as mastopexy surgery) involves the raising and reshaping of sagging skin and tissue due to the forces of gravity, childbearing or nursing. This procedure is appropriate for women that want to regain that "perky" look without using implants. It can be performed on women of any size; however, those with naturally larger breasts may only experience short term results, as larger breasts will eventually sag again over time.

Reduction: Extremely large breasts can cause a variety of problems for women, including embarrassment, unwanted attention, neck, back or shoulder pain, numbness in stretched tissue, balance issues and difficulty finding clothing.

For that reason, may women with this issue choose to have a surgical reduction, which involves the removal of excess fat, tissue and skin to shrink and resize the breasts down to the woman's desired size. This procedure is appropriate for women that are generally bigger than a D cup and experience some (or all) of the unpleasant side effects listed above.

Enlargement: This procedure surgery is performed by using a silicone or saline implant to create a fuller and larger look than what existed before. A woman can choose to have the implant placed over or under the chest muscle (with under the muscle a more popular approach), and chose the exact location of the incision, including around the nipple, under the breast, the armpit or even a small incision in the belly button for those that have the implant inserted through the stomach.

This procedure is ideal for women with naturally small breasts or for those women that have been given a surgical lift, but need that extra padding to create the look of a fuller and rounder breast.

As you can see by the information above, cosmetic breast procedures are very different and must be decided on with the help of a licensed plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon is in a better position to asses a woman's body and determine which procedure would coincide with her long term goals regarding the look, feel and functionality (including sensation, the ability to nurse) of the area.

Finally, in choosing which procedure is right for you, a good plastic surgeon will also explain the financial limitations or insurance benefits that may accompany each procedure. For example, a surgical reduction may be covered under insurance if the woman is experiencing pain or disability as a result of her condition.

Similarly, enlargement is often covered by insurance in the case of a women that has undergone a mastectomy and now seeks to put implants in their place. For all other procedures, the cost is generally out of pocket and may significantly determine exactly what surgery or how many procedures a woman can undergo to achieve the look of her dreams.