Breast reduction
Definition
Breast reduction is surgery to reduce the size of the breasts.
Alternative Names
Reduction mammoplasty
Description
Breast reduction surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. You will be asleep and pain-free. Or, you may have local anesthesia. You will be awake and will receive medicine to numb your breast area to block pain. If you have local anesthesia, you will also receive medicine to relax you.
For a breast reduction, the surgeon removes some of the breast tissue and skin. Your nipples may be moved higher to reposition them for cosmetic reasons.
In the most common procedure,
- The surgeon makes three surgical cuts: around the areola (the dark area around your nipples), from the areola down to the crease under your breast, and across the lower crease of your breast.
- Extra fat, skin, and breast tissue are removed. The nipple and areola are moved to a higher position. Often the areola is made smaller.
- The surgeon closes the cuts with stitches to reshape the breast.
- Sometimes liposuction is combined with breast reduction to improve the shape of the breast and armpit areas.
The procedure can last 2 - 5 hours.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
Breast reduction may be recommended if you have very large breasts (macromastia) and:
Chronic pain that affects your quality of life. You may be having headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain.
Chronic nerve problems caused by poor posture, which result in numbness or tingling in your arms or hands.
Cosmetic problems, such as persistent bra-strap groove, scar-like lines in the skin (striae), difficulty finding clothes that fit, and low self-confidence.
Chronic rashes under your breasts
Unwelcome attention that is making you feel awkward
Inability to participate in sports
Some women may benefit from non-surgical treatments, such as:
References
Burns JL, Blackwell SJ. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 73.
Brown JR, Holton LH 3rd, Chung TL, Slezak S. Breast-feeding, self-exam, and exercise practices before and after reduction mammoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2008 Oct;61(4):375-9.
Handschin AE, Bietry D, Hüsler R, Banic A, Constantinescu M. Surgical management of gynecomastia--a 10-year analysis. World J Surg. 2008 Jan;32(1):38-44.
Review Date: 1/26/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Reduction mammoplasty
After the Procedure
You may have to stay overnight in the hospital.
After surgery, a bulky gauze dressing (bandage) will be wrapped around your breasts and chest, and drainage tubes may be attached to your breasts. These tubes will be removed within 3 to 5 days. You will remove the ace wrap, bra, or dressings after surgery, as your doctor has told you.
Within the first week, you will replace your dressing with a soft bra. You must wear this bra for several weeks.
Your pain should decrease in a few days. Take pain medicine to control it. Be sure to take the medicine with food and plenty of water. Do not apply ice or heat to your breasts unless your doctor has told you that is okay.
Within a few days, the swelling and bruising around your incisions should disappear. You may have a temporary loss of sensation in your breast skin and nipples after surgery. Sensation will return over time. Your stitches will be removed within 2 weeks after surgery.
Outlook (Prognosis)
You are likely to have a very good outcome from breast reduction surgery. You may feel better about your appearance and be more comfortable with various activities.
Pain or skin symptoms, such as striation, will disappear. You may need to wear a special supportive bra for a few months to reshape your breasts.
Scars are permanent. They will be more visible for the first year, but will then fade. The doctor will make every effort to place the cuts so that scars are hidden. Most of the time, the scars should not be noticeable, even in low-cut clothing (cuts are usually made on the underside of the breast).
References
Burns JL, Blackwell SJ. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 73.
Brown JR, Holton LH 3rd, Chung TL, Slezak S. Breast-feeding, self-exam, and exercise practices before and after reduction mammoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2008 Oct;61(4):375-9.
Handschin AE, Bietry D, Hüsler R, Banic A, Constantinescu M. Surgical management of gynecomastia--a 10-year analysis. World J Surg. 2008 Jan;32(1):38-44.
Review Date: 1/26/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Reduction mammoplasty
Risks
Breast reduction is generally safe. Ask your doctor about these complications.
Risks for any surgery are:
Risks for any anesthesia are:
Risks for this procedure are:
- Difficulty breastfeeding, or being unable to breast-feed
- Large scars that take a long time to heal
- Loss of feeling in the nipple area
- Uneven position of the nipples or differences in the size of the breasts
References
Burns JL, Blackwell SJ. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 73.
Brown JR, Holton LH 3rd, Chung TL, Slezak S. Breast-feeding, self-exam, and exercise practices before and after reduction mammoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2008 Oct;61(4):375-9.
Handschin AE, Bietry D, Hüsler R, Banic A, Constantinescu M. Surgical management of gynecomastia--a 10-year analysis. World J Surg. 2008 Jan;32(1):38-44.
Review Date: 1/26/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 1/26/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.