There has been little research on this, but a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shed some light on this issue, finding that following a breast lift women reported they were wearing a smaller bra, with an average decrease of one bra cup size. But the finding isn’t necessarily because the breasts are smaller, it’s because the profile of the breasts changes after a lift.
The study
Dr. Katie Elizabeth Weichman and her colleagues at New York University conducted the study. The results were published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in July 2014.
For the study, researchers performed a follow-up survey of 20 women who underwent a breast lift, clinically termed mastopexy, at an average age of 47. It’s important to note that the subjects did not change their breast size through augmentation or reduction, but only had the breasts lifted. The study queried these women five years after their surgeries, asking about their bra cup size before versus after breast lift surgery. Weight changes and other relevant factors were taken into consideration.
The women reported an average decrease of approximately one cup size, for instance going from a D to a C. To eliminate sizing variations by manufacturer, the study made sure all of the women were wearing the same brand of bra.
The wrong fit
The question was if the breasts were only lifted and not reduced why was there a change in cup size? The authors of the study chalked this up to the correct bra fit and patient comfort. It said, “It is well known that most women do not wear the correct bra size.”
Study authors believe this change in cup size is directly attributed to the difference in the shape of the breasts before and after a lift. Women opting for a breast lift have ptosis (sagging) of the breasts from pregnancy, breastfeeding, and normal aging. The study says, “It is our contention that the ptotic breast fills out a larger (than actual) brassiere cup size.” This is probably due to more of the breast mass sitting lower on the chest. A larger cup-size bra may be more comfortable in this situation. When the breasts are raised, more mass sits higher, so a smaller cup size is a better fit for the higher breasts.
So, it’s not a matter of losing size, it’s a matter of raising the breast mass to a higher profile, which is exactly the reason a woman opts for a breast lift. As a final note, all of the 20 women in the study said they were satisfied with the results of their breast lift surgery.
Do you feel as if your breasts have sagged to a degree you want to do something about it? Call Dr. Kearney at (858) 677-9352 and set up a consultation for a breast lift.
