Breast Reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves the reduction in the size of breasts by excising fat, skin, and glandular tissue; it may also involve a cosmetic procedure to counteract drooping of the breasts. As with breast augmentation, this procedure is performed most often on women, but may also be performed on men afflicted by gynecomastia.
Breast reduction surgery is most often oriented toward women with large, pendulous breasts, since the weight of their breasts may cause neck, back, shoulder, circulation, and/or breathing problems. The extra weight may also cause a bit of discomfort as a result of brassiere straps abrading or irritating the skin. Even if physical discomfort is not a problem, some women feel uncomfortable with the large size of their breasts in proportion to the rest of their bodies. A breast reduction can afford the recipient smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts. The cosmetic plastic surgeon may also reduce the size of the areola or nipples.
Although it is not advocated as a cancer risk reducing procedure, a woman’s risk of subsequently developing breast cancer will be reduced proportionately to the amount of breast tissue left. It is recommended that patients receive new baseline mammograms 6-8 months after breast reduction to accommodate expected radiographic changes and give a new basis to compare future imaging studies to.
Except in unusual cases, this cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is performed on individuals with fully developed breasts. It is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed, although the success rate in breast-feeding among reduction patients mirrors that of the general population. Plastic surgeons almost always perform a breast reduction surgery while the patient is under general anesthesia. During pre-operative visits, the plastic surgeon and patient may decide on new (usually higher) positions for where the areolas and nipples will rest.
The most common cosmetic procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision, which circles the areola (aka. “Wise-pattern” reduction). The incision extends downward, following the natural curve of the breast. Excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin is then removed. Next, the nipple and areola are moved into their new position on the breast. Recently there has been a growing interest in limited scar techniques, which leave only a vertical or vertical with a shorter horizontal scar.
In some extreme cases, the areola and nipple may need to be completely removed for relocation and replaced as a skin graft (aka “free nipple graft”). In these types of cases, sensation from the areola area will be lost.
Patients may take a few weeks for the initial recovery, however it may take from six months to a year or so for the body to completely adjust to the new size of the breast. Some women may experience discomfort during their initial menstruation following the breast surgery due to swelling.
Scarring from this cosmetic procedure may be extensive and can be permanent. Initially the scars are lumpy and red, but gradually they will subside into their final smaller sizes as thin white lines. Though permanent, the plastic surgeon can generally make the scars inconspicuous to the point that even low-cut tops may be worn without visible scars. Other common problems include: asymmetry, delayed wound healing, altered nipple sensation, fluid retention in the breast, altered erogenous function, late changes in shape and recurrent ptosis (breasts) (drooping.)
If you are considering a breast reduction, we suggest you click on one or more of the links below to connect with a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon about your situation in more detail…
