Breast Reduction

How to reduce extensively large breasts?

A surgical procedure that goes by the name breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is used to reduce and reshape the breasts and address the above-mentioned issues. The size of the areola can also be decreased so that it looks more presentable and suitable for the smaller breast size.

About breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction, called reduction mammoplasty, is accomplished by removing some of the breast tissues and skin. It involves making small cuts to eliminate excess breast tissue and skin while maintaining the integrity of the mammary glands. After that, the skin is stitched back. Some surgeries require removing and repositioning the nipples and areolas so that they match the breast’s new size and shape.

Breast reduction cosmetic surgery can also be accompanied by liposuction. If the breast is mostly covered in fat then liposuction alone may be enough for reducing the size.

How is breast reduction performed?

Breast reduction is typically performed in the following steps:

• The surgeon draws a pattern on the breast with a special marker
• Local anaesthesia is given to numb the treated breast region
• The nipple is made smaller and moved up, keeping its blood supply attached
• Excess breast tissue, skin and fat are removed from several areas
• The skin is brought back together
• Monitors are used to check the patient’s heart, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, etc., during the operation.  

During your surgical procedure, your aesthetic breast surgeon and staff will strive to achieve the most natural-looking outcomes and make the operation process as comfortable as possible.

You can usually have breast reduction surgery on an outpatient basis. In order to ensure that you get home safely after surgery, arrange for someone to drive you and stay with you the first night after surgery.

What can be achieved with a breast reduction procedure?

• Reducing the size of the bust
• A very natural and pleasant appearance of the breasts
• Improving bust size and shape
• Lifting the breasts
• Better proportions of the bust to the body
• Lifting of the areola and reduction of its size
• Relieving back and shoulder pain caused by heaviness of the bust

Who is a good candidate for breast reduction?

Ideal candidates for such an aesthetic procedure are women who have very large breasts and are dissatisfied with their appearance. The patients should be physically healthy, non-smokers, and realistic in their expectations of the operation.

To estimate whether you are a suitable patient for breast reduction, your breast surgeon will talk to you about your past medical history, whether you have any health issues or active medical conditions and what medications you take. The doctor will also have to assess if you have a family history of breast cancer and any prior breast surgeries or medical treatments that may impact the planning of the breast reduction. Measurements of height, weight, and body mass index should be taken as well as a picture for your medical record.

What are the different types of breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery can be performed using a variety of approaches. In choosing the right surgical technique, breast surgeons consider the breast anatomy of the patient, the type and amount of tissue that will be removed, and what they want to accomplish.

• Traditional or “anchor” breast reduction surgery. Anchor-shaped incisions are the standard in breast reduction surgery. Those types are most commonly used and are the most versatile. Starting at the nipple and running vertically towards the lower part of the breast, it creates a shape similar to an anchor. The procedure is suitable for candidates with larger breasts, poor skin tone or those who have excess tissue and skin.
• Vertical incisions or “lollipop” breast surgery. Using this technique, the breast incision is shaped like a lollipop around the nipple and down to the breast folds (inframammary fold). A vertical incision leaves fewer scars, but it might be not an option for those with extremely large breasts. This technique is better suited to young ladies with good skin tone, good skin elasticity and a smaller volume of breast tissue.
• Liposuction for breast reduction. During this procedure, breast fat is sucked out through liposuction by using very small cuts hidden in the breast and armpit. Patients who want a modest reduction in breast size, have good skin elasticity and few to no signs of sagging or who have an excessive breast size due primarily to excess fatty tissue are the ideal candidates for this technique. Liposuction can also be used as an additional procedure to breast reduction surgery.

Will there be scarring?

Following a breast reduction procedure, scars will be present on the breast. Depending on the type of surgery, scars may appear around the nipple, underneath the breast near the inframammary fold or just below the nipple. Although scarring would be inevitable for most surgical procedures, it will fade over time.

Does the procedure involve pain?

Since it is done under local anaesthesia (in some cases, intravenous sedation is used), breast reduction is not a painful operation. There will be some discomfort and pain during the next few days of post-surgery. Medications will be provided to control the pain from being too unbearable. There might (for some) be bruising, swelling or loss of sensation for a while, depending on individuals.

What is the recovery from breast reduction surgery?

Due to each patient’s unique response to the procedure, it’s hard to predict how long it will take you to recover from this operation. Typically breast surgeons advise that breast reduction patients allow two weeks or so before they get back to work and their daily activities. For around two months after surgery, vigorous physical activity, strenuous exercise, and lifting heavy objects must be avoided. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be active during this period of time. It is good to move around and go for a gentle walk every day. Take it slowly at first, perhaps 10 minutes a day, and slowly increase it to 30 minutes.

It may take two to three months for breast shape to take on its final visual look.

What to expect from the procedure?

Breast reduction is a relatively safe procedure. However, it is a surgery that has potential complications. These include risk of infection, bleeding, formation of blood clots, fat necrosis, scarring, unevenly positioned nipples, loss of nipple sensation and inability to breastfeed. However, most of these side effects are not permanent. Breastfeeding, however, may not be possible for some permanently, depending on the severity of the plastic surgery.

Breast reduction vs breast lift

Breast reduction and breast lift are similar aesthetic procedures, and both of them are used to lift and reshape the breast tissue. However, there are some differences between them. 

Breast lift is an operation that treats sagging / drooping breasts due to pregnancy, weight loss, ageing or a combination of all of them. During the surgery, excess skin is removed, leaving the breast tissue, which is then rearranged to create a beautiful shape. This type of breast surgery is often combined with breast augmentation surgery or breast reconstruction.

On the other hand, breast reduction is both a cosmetic and a functional operation. It helps to treat the emotional and physical issues women have with very large breasts. Through this surgery, excess skin is removed but also glandular tissue to decrease the overall size of the breast. In addition, the breast is reshaped and positioned in a higher place on the chest wall. This is a highly successful operation with a high satisfaction rate.

It is important to talk to a breast surgeon about your specific goals so the right breast surgery can be tailored for you.

Book a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon

If you are considering breast reduction and you want to learn more about this cosmetic surgery, you can schedule your consultation at Shens Clinic and talk to an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon.