Breast lift and reduction with Dr. Claire Duggal
Breast Lift & Reduction
A breast lift reshapes and repositions sagging breasts. Breast reduction reduces the size of overly large breasts, while also providing reshaping and lifting. Both give the breasts a younger shape in better proportion with the rest of your body.
At a glance
Surgeon
Dr. Claire Duggal
Breast lift
2–3 hours
Breast reduction
3–4 hours
Anesthesia
General
Basis
Outpatient, home same day
Downtime
About a week
Normal activity
By about 6 weeks
Final results
3–6 months
Mastopexy
What is a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery reshapes and lifts sagging breasts by removing excess skin, shifting underlying tissue, and repositioning the nipple. The procedure corrects the effects of stretching and sagging from weight fluctuations, pregnancy and breastfeeding, or the effects of aging. The result is a perkier, rounder, and more youthful breast appearance.
Patients who desire larger breasts or a fuller upper breast can opt to combine a breast lift with breast augmentation — either with saline or silicone implants, or with autologous fat grafting.
Reduction mammoplasty
What is a breast reduction?
Breast reduction is surgery to reduce and reshape large breasts. Dr. Duggal removes excess fat and glandular tissue and lifts the breasts to give a firmer, more rounded, youthful appearance. It can also relieve back, shoulder, and neck pain and other discomfort, and make exercise more enjoyable.
Some men can also benefit from breast reduction surgery. It is possible to surgically correct excessive breast tissue in men, a condition known as gynecomastia, giving the chest a more masculine look.
A breast lift can correct
Nipples that point downward or are positioned below the breast crease
Asymmetrical or unusually shaped breasts
Stretched breast skin
Expanded areolas
A breast reduction can also
Eliminate discomfort and painful indentations from bra straps
Resolve skin irritation below the breast
Give you more freedom in clothing choices
Allow you to become more physically active
Boost your self-esteem and self-confidence
VECTRA 3D imaging
An instant preview of expected results.
Because you have already seen the result, you can be confident in the outcome of the procedure.
01
Your experience begins with a VECTRA 3D picture session. This creates the starting point for your aesthetic consultation.
02
Using special simulation software with your 3D picture, Dr. Duggal will show you the possible results of the treatment. You will be able to experiment with different looks until you find the one you want.
03
Once you have decided on the appearance you want, this simulation will provide a basis for your surgical plan.
What to expect during surgery
Dr. Duggal performs breast lift and breast reduction procedures under general anesthesia in the operating room, typically on an outpatient basis, so you return home on the day of the procedure.
In the majority of cases, incisions are placed around the nipple and in a vertical line from the bottom of the nipple to the crease underneath the breast, called a vertical pattern. Some cases may require an additional incision in the crease underneath the breast, called a Wise pattern.
Dr. Duggal removes excess skin and reshapes the tissue inside the breasts, and in breast reduction selectively removes unwanted fat. If necessary, she may rotate the nipples into a higher position and reduce the size of the areolas.
What to expect in recovery
You will need a friend or family member to drive you home once you wake up from the sedation, and should have someone stay with you the first night. Expect some discomfort and swelling in the first few days, managed with appropriate pain medication and a supportive surgical bra.
Most patients need about a week of downtime with only light activities, then build up gradually. By about six weeks, you should be back to your normal activity and exercise routine.
It may take three to six months to see final results. Incisions heal over the first few weeks, and scars continue to fade over the first year.
Questions patients ask.
To be a good candidate, you should be in good health and close to your ideal weight. If you use tobacco, you will need to quit at least six weeks before your surgery and remain tobacco-free for at least three weeks after. You should also have reasonable expectations for the procedure, which Dr. Duggal can explain in her consultation with you.
For long-lasting results, it is best to wait until you are done having children before having either of these procedures. If you do have children afterward, there is a small risk that the surgery will affect your ability to breastfeed. If this is a concern for you, be sure to bring it up in your consultation.
All surgery involves the risk of scarring. A crescent incision leaves minimal scarring hidden inside the dark pigment of the areola. Other breast lift techniques could leave thin vertical or horizontal scars on the breasts. The scars fade over time, and should be less noticeable after a year.
In most cases, Dr. Duggal makes incisions around each nipple and downward to the breast creases. Some procedures may require an additional incision along each crease. She uses these to remove excess skin, reshape breast tissue, and selectively remove unwanted fat as needed.
Most health insurance providers label breast reduction and lift as a cosmetic procedure and will not cover it. But if large, heavy breasts cause back, neck, and shoulder pain or pose a health problem, the cosmetic nature is less of a concern. Though you may need to build a case to qualify the reduction as reconstructive surgery, your insurance company might agree to cover some or all of the cost. Dr. Duggal is an out-of-network provider. If your insurance company offers you out-of-network benefits, you could be reimbursed for the medically necessary portion of the procedure. We will give you the medical notes, procedure codes, and diagnostic codes to help with this process.
Each patient’s pain level is different, but most individuals describe post-surgery discomfort as minimal to moderate. We will prescribe appropriate pain medications for the discomfort you experience.
Dr. Duggal’s advanced techniques ensure long-lasting improvements, but factors like aging, weight fluctuations, and gravity will continue affecting you over time.
As with any surgery, possible risks include bleeding, infection, unfavorable scarring, changes in nipple or breast sensation, asymmetrical results, and the possibility of revision surgery. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are typically temporary and manageable with proper care. Dr. Duggal will discuss these in detail during your consultation.
Many of our patients choose to pair surgeries to save money and achieve more comprehensive results. For instance, you might consider improving your entire silhouette with a tummy tuck or Brazilian butt lift. Dr. Duggal will be happy to discuss these options during your consultation.
While everyone heals at a different rate, most patients need about a week away from work and strenuous activities. You will probably feel well enough to resume light exercise and a mostly sedentary job after a week. Most patients return to their usual routines, including exercise, by the six-week mark.
While we welcome you to explore non-surgical lifting and tightening options such as SkinTyte, you should be aware that the results are far less dramatic than what you can expect with surgery.
Breast lift and reduction surgeries should not significantly affect your ability to obtain accurate mammograms. However, you should inform your radiologist of your surgical history so they can account for resulting changes in your breast tissue.
Why choose Dr. Duggal?
She takes the time to listen to and understand the goals of each of her patients, and makes sure they never feel rushed in consultation. Dr. Duggal treats patients as she would her own family members — with honest guidance and personal attention throughout the process.