Breast Reduction

Reference Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty) Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window removes some of the tissue and skin from the breasts to reshape and reduce the size of the breasts. It can also make the area of dark skin surrounding the nipple (Reference areola Opens New Window) smaller.

To remove tissue and skin from the breast, the surgeon first makes one or more cuts in the breast. After the excess tissue and skin have been removed, the skin is closed with stitches. Sometimes the nipple and areola have to be removed and repositioned.

Sometimes liposuction is used along with surgery. If most of the breast is fatty tissue and if excess skin isn't a problem, liposuction alone may be enough for breast reduction.

Breast reduction surgery is done in a hospital or Reference surgical center Opens New Window, typically with Reference general anesthesia Opens New Window. The surgery usually takes 3 to 5 hours. An overnight stay is not usually required. For smaller reductions, the surgery may be done with Reference local anesthesia Opens New Window.

Reference Breast lift (mastopexy) Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window is similar to a breast reduction, except that in some cases only skin is removed. A breast lift can raise sagging or drooping breasts, which is a common problem with large, heavy breasts, and can elevate the nipple and areola.

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