About Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction Surgery, or Reduction Mammoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the size of the breasts, lifts the breasts, and raises and resizes the nipple and areola. Many patients who have very large and heavy breasts have back and neck pain caused by the excessive weight, skin irritation, skeletal deformities, and breathing problems. Bra straps may leave shoulder indentations. Large, heavy breasts can interfere with normal daily activities such as exercise.
We believe that for breast reduction surgery, in addition to removing breast volume, creating a beautiful round shape is truly important. We remove most of the excess breast tissue from the sides and less so from the middle and top so patients still have nice full cleavage after surgery.
Too often, we see the breasts become widely spaced cones after this surgery because too much tissue was removed from the middle and top.
We also contour the shape so it has a natural round curve. Too often, we see the breasts extend to the armpits with a rectangular shape, and we have had to try to correct this, which is very difficult.
- Before Procedure
- During Procedure
- Results & Recovery
Good to Know Before Breast Reduction
The breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and shapes it, the breasts are also lifted and the areola is reshaped and resized. The scar will be anchor-shaped – where there is a circle around the areola, a vertical line extending down, and then a line in the crease. The more the breasts need to be lifted and the more tissue needs to be removed, the longer the scar.
What Happens During Breast Reduction
For your comfort and safety, breast reduction surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. We will also place a numbing solution in your breasts so you will not feel pain even though you are under anesthesia.
The surgery removes fat and excess breast tissue from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. In your surgery, we actually reshape the breast and contour the skin pocket around it. As part of the breast reduction surgery, we also perform a breast lift. This surgery raises and reduces the size of the areola and makes the position of the nipples more symmetric.
Incisions are made around the pigmented nipple-areolar complex and extend vertically below the nipple and in the fold under the breast. It is shaped like an anchor. The nipple-areolar complex is moved upward to the desired location. The final incision closure is done precisely and meticulously to create the best possible scar. At AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we take extreme pride in our attention to detail with every single step of Breast Reduction surgery.
Breast Reduction Recovery & Results: What to Expect
At AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we have developed a special breast reduction technique that has minimal pain and a quick recovery. You will feel some soreness in the breast area and there will be swelling. The swelling lasts about a month. You will also have drains placed which are removed after about 1 week. It takes a full 4-6 months for the tissues to sit at their final shape or position.
If you do have discomfort, Tylenol is usually all that’s needed. You will need to minimize arm movement for about 2 weeks and you will wear a supportive bra for 2 months after breast reduction surgery. This is something we will measure and provide for you in our office. Most of AJ Plastic Surgery Centre patients feel almost back to normal at around 1 week after their breast reduction surgery.
Moderate exercise such as walking or stationary biking is allowed after two weeks, and vigorous exercise such as jogging or aerobics may be resumed after 4 weeks. You will most likely be able to return to work within a few days, but you will need to avoid any strenuous activity for at least a couple of weeks after breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction surgery produces some of the most dramatic results of all breast plastic surgeries. It improves the physical discomfort of large breasts and makes your body appear more evenly proportioned, and clothes fit better. Some of my happiest patients are breast reduction patients. This is one of our favorite procedures to perform because it is often life-changing for patients.
