Breast Reduction

Discover how breast reduction can help improve your overall health

Breast reduction is a procedure designed to reduce the size of undesirably large breasts. Also referred to as reduction mammoplasty, the operation has a very high rate of patient satisfaction as it typically has the two-fold benefit of reducing physical symptoms associated with large breasts and improving the aesthetic appearance of the breasts. Many women with large breasts experience back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, bra strap grooving, headaches, skin irritation, and difficulty participating in some physical activities. Frequently these women feel that their breasts look disproportionate to the rest of their body, have an excessively droopy or pendulous appearance, and have nipples that are too low or even downward pointing. Breast reduction usually results in correction or improvement of all of these issues.

What can be expected in terms of scarring?

Our surgeons have extensive training in the latest “short scar” techniques of vertical breast reduction and prefers this operation for most of his patients when they are appropriate anatomical candidates. The scar for this technique is generally limited to around the areola and down the center of the breast in a lollipop configuration. This technique has the added benefit of providing a significant reshaping of the remaining breast tissue to give a perkier and a more youthful appearance to the breast that is longer lasting than some other methods of breast reduction.

In some cases when there is a significant excess of tissue that needs to be removed or a very high degree of droopiness to the breast, the “anchor scar” pattern may be required. This more traditional technique involves a scar across the bottom fold of the breast in addition to the scar around the areola and down the center of the breast.

What is the recovery process like following breast reduction surgery?

While there is discomfort following breast reduction surgery, it is routinely very well tolerated by patients. Your breasts will feel sore but this is treated with various pain medications after surgery. Generally the worst of the pain is over within 48 hours and most patients return to work within 1 week of surgery, depending on the nature of their job. Over the ensuing weeks and months, the swelling will go down and the breasts with settle into a softer, more natural shape.