Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes between two to five hours, depending on the extent of the reduction and specific technique used. There are several surgical techniques that can be employed, with the choice depending on your breast size, shape, and desired outcome, including:

• “Anchor” or inverted-T method:

  As the most common technique, this typically involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and one along the inframammary fold. As a result, outcomes generally entail significant tissue removal and reshaping. 

• "Vertical" or "lollipop" method:

  This technique eliminates the horizontal incision along the breast crease, resulting in less scarring but may be less suitable for very large reductions.

• Liposuction: 

  In some cases, especially for patients requiring only a small to moderate reduction, liposuction may be used either alone or in combination with excision techniques.

During the procedure, your surgeon will remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin through the incisions. The nipple and areola are usually repositioned higher on the breast, and in some cases, they may need to be removed and reattached as a skin graft if a significant amount of tissue is being removed. The remaining breast tissue is then reshaped to create a smaller, more lifted contour. The incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Skin adhesives or surgical tape may be used to close the skin. Additionally, small tubes (drains) may be placed in the breasts to remove excess blood or fluid for the first day or two after surgery. It is important to note that while the goal is to achieve symmetry, some minor differences in breast size and shape may persist after surgery.