Procedures

Breast Reduction

Medical Term: Reduction Mammaplasty

Who is a Candidate?

• Women with large, pendulous breasts desiring a decrease in bra size as well as a lift of the breast tissue and nipple
• Women with sagging (ptotic), heavy, or matronly breast shape and appearance
• Individuals who are uncomfortable or self conscious about the size of their breasts
• Women who want to wear bathing suits, slim clothing styles, and bras that look good and fit properly
• Patients with difficulty exercising, back pain, neck pain or shoulder pain from the weight of the breasts
• Individuals with breast asymmetry in volume and/or nipple position, or enlarged areola
• Patients must be non-smokers and healthy, ideally of stable weight

Goal of Surgery:

• Size reduction, as well as lifting of the breast tissue and nipple
• Decreased areola size as needed for more pleasing proportions
• Improvement of breast asymmetry
• Breast skin tightening
• Potential relief of back pain, neck pain, and other discomfort related to large breasts
• Improvement of self image. Ability to wear bathing suits, tank tops, dresses and other attractive clothing styles
• Youthful shape and contour

Procedure Description:

• The surgery is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient and takes about 2-3 hours
• Incisions are made around the natural contour of the breast. Around the nipple, down the lower half of the breast and underneath the breast fold
• Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed. The resected volume is sent for pathological analysis. The nipple-areola complex with the underlying tissue is then moved to a more superior location. The nipple itself is not removed; the skin around the nipple is removed to obtain an approximate 4 cm nipple areola diameter. The nipple still remains attached to underlying blood vessels and nerves
• Breast cup size cannot be guaranteed, as all bras fit differently. A certain amount of breast tissue must be preserved to ensure blood supply and proper healing to the overlying skin and nipple. Nevertheless, the results are usually dramatic and potentially life-changing
• Permanent scars result after the procedure, but fade over 1 year
• A short-scar technique for breast reduction/breast lift (Vertical reduction/mastopexy) is available to certain candidates. This technique eliminates the scar that would ordinarily go under the breast or along the inframammary crease. So the scar pattern looks more like a "lollipop". Candidates for this technique generally have good skin and tissue tone, and are smaller reductions

Postoperative Course:

• The breasts are dressed in gauze and a sports bra
• Drainage tubes are used for 4-7 days
• All sutures are absorbable
• You can return to non-physical work in 1-2 weeks. No exercise, lifting, or strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks
• Bra support (usually a sports bra) required day and night for 4-6 weeks, long term use encouraged during the day
• Expect mild bruising and swelling, and potential unusual appearance right after surgery, which may take a several months to settle down
• The scars take at least one year to mature and fade. No tanning of the scars or breast skin for up to 1 year after surgery

Other Options:

• Body contouring surgery can often be done in healthy individuals. Many patients simultaneously undergo liposuction or abdominoplasty

For More Information and descriptive diagrams of the Breast Reduction