Breast Reduction / Mastopexy

Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, reduces excess breast tissue and skin to create a smaller and lighter breast while reshaping the remaining breast and repositioning the nipple and areola.

When can large breasts become a problem?

• Neck, shoulder or upper-back discomfort

• Grooving from bra straps

• Recurrent irritation or moisture beneath the breasts

• Difficulty exercising or participating comfortably in certain activities

• Difficulty finding supportive bras or clothing

• Heavy or pendulous breasts with nipples that have descended

• Discomfort related to the weight and movement of the breasts

What does breast reduction change?

Breast reduction addresses both the volume and shape of the breast.

During surgery:

• Excess breast tissue and skin are removed.

• The remaining breast tissue is reshaped.

• The nipple and areola are repositioned while maintaining their blood supply whenever possible.

• An enlarged areola can be reduced.

• Differences between the two breasts can be improved, although perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed.

What scars does breast reduction leave?

Scars are an unavoidable part of breast reduction.

In most moderate to large reductions, I use an inverted-T or anchor pattern, leaving a scar around the areola, a vertical scar below it and a horizontal scar within the breast fold.

Shorter-scar techniques may be appropriate for selected breasts, but the scar pattern should be determined by the amount of skin and tissue that needs to be removed.

Scars are initially visible and usually fade progressively as they mature.

Breast reduction vs Mastopexy (breast lift)?

Breast reduction and breast lift use many of the same principles but have different objectives. A breast lift primarily reshapes and elevates the breast while preserving most of its volume. A breast reduction also removes breast tissue to make the breast smaller and lighter. Breast reduction therefore combines reduction in volume with reshaping of the breast.