The breasts sag due to pregnancy, weight loss, age, cigarette smoking and menopause. A sagging breast is generally perceived as less attractive than a plump breast, which is why breast lift surgery is often desired. Women often come to Dr. Biesgen's practice for a breast lift.
Breast lift
Most women who only ask for a breast lift do not want their breasts to change in size. They want a lift of the breast and hopefully some fullness in the upper area. On the surface, one would not expect a mere breast lift to reduce the size of the breasts by a significant amount. However, I have found that this is often the case. Strange!
Why should lifting reduce the size?
One possibility is that the amount of skin removed is responsible for a reduction in size. However, to reduce the breast by 1 cup size, around 200 grams of tissue must be removed.
However, the typical amount of skin removed weighs about 50 grams - not even close! A recent paper published in the September issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery analyzed this problem.
A group of 20 women who had undergone a breast lift - also known as a mastopexy - were surveyed after the mastopexy operation. They noted a decrease in bra size of 1 cup size after the operation.
Importantly, they did not change their weight, take hormones or change bra manufacturers after the operation. The average amount of skin and breast tissue removed was about 60 grams, not even 1/3 of a cup size! So why the weight loss?
Raised chest allows for a more comfortable bra
The authors conclude that it is because women with sagging breasts who are fitted with a bra tend to choose a larger bra size because it fits more comfortably. They are in fact fitted with a bra that is one cup size too big! After the operation, when the lifted breast fits more comfortably in a well-fitting bra, a smaller cup size is chosen.
The bottom line: Any woman considering a breast lift should be aware that she will likely be wearing a bra that is one cup size larger than her actual bra size. After surgery, a newly fitted bra will fit tighter and therefore more accurately reflect her true cup size - probably 1 cup size smaller than what she was previously wearing.
Please note that the descriptions in the above articles are for general information purposes only. A personal consultation with Dr. Biesgen is required for a well-founded assessment of your situation and your desired treatment. We will also discuss your anatomy, your needs, your lifestyle and your goals in order to jointly define an optimal approach for your treatment.
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