Meet Dr. Karen Singer
Dr. Karen Singer is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in St. Petersburg, Florida (4021 Central Ave., Suite A).
- She completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard University (Magna Cum Laude, with Highest Honors) and her MD at Harvard Medical School.
- Her training includes general surgery in New York City (Roosevelt Hospital) and plastic surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center, NJ; she also did a fellowship in hand surgery in Denver.
- Her practice emphasizes an “artist’s eye” for form, symmetry, and proportion alongside the medical science of plastic surgery.
Mastopexy vs. Breast Reduction: What’s the Difference?
When considering breast surgery, two common options are a breast lift (technically called a “mastopexy”) and a breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty). Though they overlap somewhat, the goals, indications, and outcomes differ. Here’s a breakdown.
What is a Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
A mastopexy is a procedure designed primarily to raise and reshape sagging breasts, reposition the nipple-areola complex (NAC) higher on the chest, and remove excess skin so the breast envelope is tighter and more youthful.
Key features:
- It does not primarily remove large amounts of breast gland or fat tissue. The volume of the breast may remain similar (though visually it may appear smaller due to reshaping).
- Ideal for someone whose breasts have lost perkiness or are sagging (ptosis) after pregnancy, weight loss, aging—but whose issue is mainly shape, not problematic large size.
- Scarring may vary depending on how much lift is required (around areola only, “lollipop” vertical incision, or anchor (inverted-T) pattern) depending on sagging severity.
- Recovery tends to focus on skin and tissue reshaping, rather than heavy gland resection.
What is a Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
A breast reduction is a procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce the size and weight of the breasts, and typically lifts and reshapes them as well.
Key features:
- The goal is often both aesthetic and functional—to alleviate discomfort from very heavy or large breasts (back pain, shoulder grooving, posture issues, skin irritation) and achieve a size more proportional to the body.
- It also includes repositioning the NAC and removing excess skin, similar to a lift, but with the addition of breast tissue removal (gland and fat) for volume reduction.
- Because of that, scarring and surgical demands may be greater, and the procedure may carry more recovery demands.
How to Compare: Lift vs Reduction
Here’s a table summarizing their differences:
| Feature | Mastopexy (Lift) | Breast Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Raise & reshape sagging breast, reposition NAC, remove excess skin | Remove excess breast tissue + skin, reduce weight/volume, raise & reshape |
| Volume change | Usually little to no significant tissue removal—volume may appear less due to reshaping | Significant tissue removal possible — size reduction is inherent |
| Ideal candidate | Breasts sagging but size acceptable, volume okay, concern is shape/position | Breasts excessively large/heavy, causing physical discomfort or disproportionate size |
| Functional relief | Primarily aesthetic improvement (though may feel lighter) | Both aesthetic & functional: less weight, pain relief, improved activity |
| Scarring & incision | Depends on sagging grade; may be less extensive if mild ptosis | Similar or more extensive incisions, due to tissue removal and reshaping |
| Breast-feeding / sensation risk | Depends on technique, but less gland removal means potentially better preservation | Some gland/tissue removal means higher risk of changes in breast-feeding ability and sensation |
| Insurance criteria (for medical relief) | Usually less likely covered unless combined with symptoms/dysfunction | More likely covered when large size causes documented symptoms (varies by insurer) |
While the two procedures share many technical elements (skin excision, nipple repositioning), the difference often lies in the amount of tissue removed.
What to Ask at Consultation
If you’re speaking with Dr. Singer (or any board-certified plastic surgeon) about these options, here are some important questions to consider:
- What is my breast size/volume now, and how much sagging (ptosis) do I have? Are my concerns more shape/position or size/weight?
- Would a lift alone address my goals, or would I benefit from reduction in size/weight as well?
- What incision pattern and scar placement will be used, given my anatomy and goals?
- Considering my future plans (pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations), how will each procedure affect those possibilities?
- What are the risks, recovery timeline, and likely scar maturation process?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of patients with similar anatomy and goals?
- How much downtime, pain, and support garments will be needed post-op?
- What are realistic expectations in terms of “perkiness,” long-term shape, and whether implants might be needed/useful in conjunction?
How Dr. Singer’s Approach Aligns With These Procedures
Given Dr. Singer’s training and stated philosophy, here’s how you might expect her to approach either procedure:
- She emphasizes symmetry, proportion, and design (important for lifts and reductions alike).
- As a board-certified plastic surgeon, she has experience with both volume-reducing and purely reshaping breast procedures.
- Given her decades of practice in the St. Petersburg area, she works with patients across a range of needs—from those wanting primarily aesthetic refinements (lifts) to those needing functional relief (reductions).
- Because she takes a design-driven approach, she will likely discuss not just “bigger vs smaller” but “what shape fits your body, lifestyle, and goals.”
Final Thoughts
- If your main concern is sagging or drooping breasts, and you’re happy with your size but want a lifted, reshaped contour, a mastopexy (breast lift) is likely the appropriate choice.
- If your breasts are too large/heavy, causing discomfort, or you want a smaller size in addition to reshaping, then a breast reduction (which includes a lift component) may be more suitable.
- Either way, the consultation is key: your surgeon needs to evaluate your anatomy (skin quality, breast volume, remainder of breast tissue, nipple position), your goals, and your lifestyle/future plans.
- Because surgery is permanent and involves recovery, scars, and changes in sensation or breastfeeding ability, it’s important to go in informed and realistic about expectations.
If you like, visit Dr. Singer’s photo gallery of before and after pictures for both mastopexy and reduction so you can see her work directly.
