With many breast surgeries available, it can be difficult to discern the differences and which may be best for your needs. Breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty) and breast lift (mastopexy) are similar procedures that patients often get confused about.
In particular, patients may be wondering: Are mastopexy (breast lift) techniques used during a breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty)? Let’s explore some of the techniques surgeons use to help answer this question.
It’s important to keep in mind that no amount of research can replace the valuable guidance of an experienced plastic surgeon. No matter the procedure type you choose, Melbourne surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein is here to help you make good and suitable choices. He can outline the differences between each procedure in your consultation, helping you on the path to your cosmetic goals!
What’s the difference between reduction mammoplasty and mastopexy?
First, let’s understand where these procedures differ.
Breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty)
This procedure involves removing breast tissue in order to alleviate the symptoms of large breasts. In this surgery, Dr Rubinstein does not just remove breast skin, but also a portion of breast tissue to help reduce the breast volume.
Breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty) can be a suitable procedure for patients who wish to reduce:
- Too much weight on the chest
- Back, neck, or shoulder pain caused by large breasts
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Skin irritation from large breasts
- Discomfort or difficulty with daily activities
The exact results – in terms of volume, contour, and scarring – are personal to each patient. A personalised plan is required for each surgery, which helps customise the results to the patient’s desired breast volume.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, involves removing excess skin from the breasts in order to reshape and reposition them. By making careful incisions and removing a portion of breast skin, Dr Rubinstein aims to position the breasts higher on the chest wall.
This procedure might be the preferred option for women who want to address:
- Breast ptosis
- A low breast or nipple position
- Breast asymmetry
- Laxity due to weight loss or breastfeeding
Like every breast surgery, each procedure may be slightly different depending on the patient’s concerns and natural breast shape.
What’s included in breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty)?
The surgery involves linear incisions vertically from the areola down to the breast crease and sometimes an incision horizontally across the breast crease. Often, the removal of breast volume also comes with the adjustment of the skin, where Dr Rubinstein adjusts the skin tissue to maneuver the breasts into a more desired position. This is a reduction mammoplasty with a mastopexy.
A breast mastopexy (lift) can be performed on its own, meaning the breast position and shape are adjusted without changing the breasts’ volume. However, mastopexy techniques are also a normal part of breast reduction mammoplasties. In other words, most breast reduction mammoplasties involve two techniques: 1) reducing excess volume, and 2) repositioning the remaining breast tissue and nipple (mastopexy).
Why does a reduction mammoplasty include mastopexy (breast lift)?
Generally speaking, both techniques are useful during a breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty). This is because, by itself, reducing excess volume may not create the desired result. It may lead to the appearance of ptosis or laxity, due to the extra space created under the skin. Performing a mastopexy at the same time as the reduction mammoplasty helps create a more appropriate position and contour for the new breast size.
Additionally, women who seek a reduction mammoplasty are often concerned about breast laxity. The excess breast volume, along with the effects of gravity, can take its toll over time, leading to a low breast and nipple position. This makes mastopexy techniques all the more useful during reduction mammoplasty surgery. Combining these two techniques can help address not just the extra volume but also the subsequent laxity that has developed due to the extra weight. If this is not done, then the breast laxity after the procedure may become even worse, affecting the patient’s cosmetic results and day-to-day comfort.
In short, the two procedures are often combined during a breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty), both for the patient’s comfort and to help create the desired aesthetic result.
Choosing Dr Rubinstein for breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty) in Melbourne
If you are thinking of getting a breast reduction surgery (mammoplasty), the most crucial step is choosing a properly qualified and capable plastic surgeon. A specialist plastic surgeon with the right qualifications, such as Dr Rubinstein, will know which techniques to recommend for your procedure. He does this by discussing your needs with you, your suitability for surgery, and your individual goals and preferred outcomes.
Every breast reduction mammoplasty is different. Although it’s true that most reduction mammoplasties include mastopexy methods, it’s always best to clarify with Dr Rubinstein about your particular surgery and what it will involve. Book a consultation to learn more about the different techniques involved in breast surgery in Melbourne.