Also known as reduction mammoplasty, breast reduction surgery is a procedure that will reduce the size and weight of your breasts, reshape them so that they are in proportion to the rest of your body, and ensure they are no longer a source of physical discomfort. By removing excess breast tissue, a plastic surgeon is able to make the breasts smaller, lighter and firmer while also improving their symmetry.
If you suffer from one or more of the following issues you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
- Your breasts appear disproportionately large compared to the rest of your body
- The weight of your breasts causes back, neck, head, or shoulder pain
- Your nipples and areolas point downward or extend well beyond the breast crease
- One breast is significantly larger than the other
- The size of your breasts makes you feel self-conscious
- The size of your breasts affects your enjoyment of certain physical activities and makes it difficult to find clothes that fit
- You experience chronic or recurring skin irritation beneath your breasts
Additionally, and depending on the amount of breast tissue being removed, you may wish to consider combining breast reduction surgery together with a breast lift in order to achieve your desired look. Other procedures commonly combined with breast reduction surgery include liposuction and abdominoplasty. Speak with your qualified cosmetic or plastic surgeon to ensure that you plan your procedures to ensure the best possible results for you.
Breast Reduction Methods
There are variations to the number and placement of the incisions used for breast lift surgery. The exact technique used by the surgeon will vary based on a patient’s existing breast tissue, the amount of excess skin to be removed, and the desired profile of the patient. Your cosmetic or plastic surgeon will recommend the method of breast reduction surgery that will best achieve the results you are looking for with the least amount of scarring possible.
Liposuction for Breast Reduction
Depending on the size of your breasts and your specific goals, breast reduction surgery may be performed using liposuction alone. Some of the advantages of using liposuction for breast reduction surgery are that it is a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery period. In addition liposuction surgery leaves virtually undetectable scars on the breast in addition to providing long lasting results.
The best candidates for breast reduction surgery using liposuction are those who need or desire only a slight, to moderate, reduction in breast size. In addition the individual should have good skin elasticity and little to no sagging to correct.
Vertical or “Lollipop” breast reduction
Patients who need a larger reduction in breast size than liposuction can provide and/or are also looking to correct a moderate amount of sagging, are good candidates for a “lollipop” breast reduction. Breast reduction surgery using the lollipop method involves two incisions; one around the edge of the areola, and one running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of your breast fold, creating a “lollipop” shape.
While a breast reduction using the lollipop method comes with some visible scarring, the incision pattern allows the surgeon to remove a significant amount of excess tissue while also reshaping the breast to a more youthful profile. In addition, with proper care and time the scares will fade and in the interim, are easily hidden by a bra or bikini top.
Inverted T or “Anchor” breast reduction
One of the most common methods of performing breast reduction surgery, the “anchor” method allows the surgeon to remove a significant amount of excess tissue while also reshaping the breast to a more youthful profile. The anchor lift uses three incisions: one around the areola, the second vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease under the breast and the third along the bottom of the breast in the crease fold. While a breast reduction using the anchor method comes with the greatest number of incisions and the most amount of scarring, these typically will fade with proper care and are easily hidden by a bra or bikini top.
Cosmetic and plastic surgeons will typically use this method if a patient requires a more significant breast size reduction and/or has considerable sagging or asymmetry to correct.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure while the patient is under general anesthesia. There are variations to the number and placement of the incisions used for breast reduction surgery. Given the particulars of your specific case and desired outcome for the shape and appearance of your breasts, your surgeon will employ one of the three methods of conducting breast reduction surgery (described above) after having discussed it with you during your consultation.
During the procedure, the nipple and areola will be moved to a higher position, without disconnecting them from their blood supply, in order to maintain nerve sensation to the nipple. At the same time, the surgeon will remove excess skin and will reshape the breast tissue in order to create a more youthful, uplifted, appearance. Sometimes, and depending on the volume of breast tissue to be removed, some numbness in the area of the nipple cannot be prevented.
Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery
As with other breast enhancement surgeries, most patients require at least 1 week off work to rest and heal at home. While you will still be able to move about the house and participate in light activities, it’s important to carefully follow your plastic or cosmetic surgeons’ directions for self-care after surgery. You will likely need to refrain from heavy lifting and vigorous activities for at least several weeks. Additionally, upper body exercise is discouraged until your chest muscles have fully healed. You will also likely need to wear a soft surgical bra or compression bandage to aid in healing for several weeks after surgery. At your follow-up appointments, your surgeon will gradually clear you to resume certain activities and transition to regular bras.
Breast Reduction Considerations
Breast reduction surgery can give you smaller, lighter breasts that will last a lifetime so long as you maintain a stable weight. It is important to note that as a result of the natural aging process your breasts will continue to sag over time, though this will likely occur at a slower rate than before your breast reduction. As with most other breast surgeries, breast reduction surgery will leave some scarring. If properly cared for these scars will typically fade with time and are easily hidden by a bra or bikini top.
Because it both alleviates physical and emotional discomfort while also enhances a patient’s appearance at the same time, breast reduction surgery can be one of the most rewarding cosmetic surgery procedures performed.
As one of the more popular elective procedures, breast reduction surgery is quite safe. However, no surgery is completely free from risk. Some of the possible complications include numbness in and around the nipple, bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia.
