You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if:

 

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You don’t smoke
• You are bothered by feeling that your breasts are too large
• You have breasts that limit your physical activity
• You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• You have shoulder indentations from bra straps
• You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease

The success and safety of your breast reduction procedure highly depends on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

 

During your breast reduction consultation be prepared to discuss:

 

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Previous surgeries
• Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

 

Your surgeon will also:

 

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of your breast reduction procedure and any risks or potential complications
• Discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure for breast reduction.

Prior to breast reduction surgery, you may be asked to:

 

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
• Stop smoking well in advance of breast reduction surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

 

Special instructions you receive will cover:

 

• What to do on the day of surgery
• Post-operative care and follow-up

 

Your surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast reduction surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient/ambulatory surgical center or a hospital.

If your breast reduction procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you the following night.

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed through incisions on your breasts with surgical removal of the excess fat, glandular tissue and skin. In some cases, excess fat may be removed through liposuction in conjunction with the excision techniques described below. If breast size is largely due to fatty tissue and excess skin is not a factor, liposuction alone may be used in the procedure for breast reduction. The technique used to reduce the size of your breasts will be determined by your individual condition, breast composition, amount of reduction desired, your personal preferences and the surgeon’s advice.

 

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during breast reduction surgery. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

 

Step 2 – The incision

Incision options include:

• A circular pattern around the areola

The incision lines that remain are visible and permanent scars, although usually well concealed beneath a swimsuit or bra.

• A keyhole or racquet-shaped pattern with an incision around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease
• An inverted T or anchor-shaped incision pattern

 

Step 3 – Removing tissue and repositioning

After the incision is made, the nipple (which remains tethered to its original blood and nerve supply) is then repositioned. The areola is reduced by excising skin at the perimeter, if necessary.

Underlying breast tissue is reduced, lifted and shaped. Occasionally, for extremely large pendulous breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed and transplanted to a higher position on the breast (free nipple graft).

 

Step 4 – Closing the incisions

The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts; sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape close the skin. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

 

Step 5 – See the results

The result of your breast reduction surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover.

Many patients have questions about recovery from breast reduction surgery. When your breast reduction procedure is complete, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. An elastic bandage or support bra may be worn to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

 

You will be given specific instructions for breast reduction recovery that may include:

 

• How to care for your breasts following breast reduction surgery
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon

 

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

 

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?

What to Expect in Breast Reduction