Breast Reduction

What is a breast reduction?

A breast reduction is the surgical reshaping of the breast to make it smaller. Breast reduction, also called reduction mammoplasty, involves the removal of excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin to reduce breast size. Some people seek breast reduction for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. However, your doctor may also recommend the procedure if overly large breasts are causing discomfort, back problems, or other health problems.

Breast reduction surgery is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive cosmetic or treatment options available depending on your specific circumstances. You should consider getting a second opinion about all your cosmetic or treatment choices before having breast reduction surgery.

Types of breast reduction surgery

The types of breast reduction procedures include:

• Free nipple graft (FNG) involves removing your nipple and grafting it in a new location on your breast. Your surgeon removes breast tissue while your nipple is off, and then grafts your nipple back into place.
• Liposuction involves injection and suction of fatty tissue and usually leaves little or no scarring.
• Pedicle method involves making a circular incision around your areola (the dark area that surrounds your nipple) to remove breast tissue.
• Anchor incision is an extension of the pedicle method with an incision that runs vertically down from the areola to the bottom of your breast and into a semi-circle around the bottom of your breast. This makes an anchor-like incision.
• LeJour incision is an extension of the pedicle method with an incision that runs vertically down from the areola to the bottom of your breast and stops at your chest wall.
• Stevens laser bra uses a laser and the extra skin that would normally be discarded to create a permanent internal support structure for your breasts.

Other procedures that may be performed

In addition to breast reduction surgery, your doctor may also perform one or more other procedures. These can include a wide variety of cosmetic procedures. However, the most common combination is a breast reduction with a breast lift (mastopexy). A breast lift is a procedure to boost sagging or loose breasts.

Why is a breast reduction performed?

Breast reduction surgery is a major surgical procedure that your doctor may recommend if you want smaller breasts for cosmetic reasons. Your doctor may also recommend it if your overly large breasts are causing discomfort or medical problems.

Not everyone is a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. You should consider getting a second opinion before having breast reduction surgery. In general, a good surgical candidate is physically healthy, does not smoke, has fully developed breasts, and has realistic expectations of improvement, not perfection.

Your doctor may recommend breast reduction surgery if you are a good surgical candidate and:

• One breast varies in size or shape from the other one.
• One or both breasts did not develop normally.
• You are self-conscious about your breasts or feel that your breasts are too large or are disproportionate to your body size.
• Your breasts interfere with your ability to participate in sports or other physical activities.
• Your breasts cause sleep difficulties.
• You have poor posture or numbness and tingling in your arms due to the weight of your breasts.
• You have headaches or back, neck or shoulder pain due to the weight of your breasts.
• You have permanent grooves in your shoulders from your bra strap holding the weight of your breasts.
• You have skin irritation, rashes,sores, or infections under the crease of your breast.
• Your breasts have stretched skin, stretched areolas, or nipples that hang below your breast crease.
• You are a male with gynecomastia (breast enlargement in males).

How is a breast reduction performed?

A plastic surgeon will lead the surgical team and perform your breast reduction surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgery setting. A plastic surgeon is a specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.