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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 center them, for cosmetic reasons.

In the most common procedure,

• The surgeon makes three incisions (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 incisions with stitches to reshape the breast.
• Sometimes liposuction is combined with breast reduction to improve the shape of the breast and armpit areas.

The operation can last 2 - 5 hours.

Risks

Breast reduction is generally safe. Ask your doctor about these complications.

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems, such as pneumonia
• Heart problems

Risks for this procedure are:

• Difficulty breastfeeding
• Loss of feeling in the nipple area
• Large scars that take a long time to heal
• Uneven position of the nipples or differences in the size of the breasts

Review Date: 3/2/2009
Reviewed By: David A. Lickstein, MD, FACS, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Palm Beach Gardnes, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.