The goal of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the size of your breasts and reshape them so that they are proportionate to the rest of your body and are no longer a source of physical discomfort.
The goal of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the size of your breasts and reshape them so that they are proportionate to the rest of your body and are no longer a source of physical discomfort. This commonly requested, predictable procedure has the dual benefits of improving your appearance while relieving the physical and emotional burden of overly large breasts.
When to Consider Breast Reduction
Considerations
Pros
Cons
These are the top three pros and cons to weigh when considering breast reduction. If you want to focus on those specifically unique to you, please feel free to discuss with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.
Women who seek breast reduction often have had children, are overweight, have a predisposition for large, disproportionate breasts, or are sensitive to estrogen. Big breasts often run in a family, inherited from mothers and grandmothers.
Following are some common reasons why you may want to consider breast reduction:
A history of irregular mammograms, undiagnosed lumps or other types of masses, severe obesity, diabetes, wound healing disorders, current breast-feeding, smoking, clotting disorders or a family history of them, and heart or circulatory disorders are all contraindications for breast reduction.
If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.
Breast liposuction may be right for you if you have fatty breasts, need a minor-to-moderate reduction, and do not need to correct sagging. Here are some considerations:
The size and shape of your breasts and how much reduction you desire are factors that will help your plastic surgeon determine the best technique for you. In some cases it will be possible to avoid the vertical incision that runs from the bottom edge of the areolas to the breast crease or the horizontal incision underneath the breast (typical components of the anchor incision).
Rarely, if your breasts are extremely large, the nipples and areolas may have to be completely detached before they are shifted to a higher level. In such a case, you will have made the decision to sacrifice sensation and the possibility of breast-feeding to achieve your desired breast size. Another breast reduction option, which is appropriate only in a select group of women, is liposuction alone.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate you as a candidate for breast reduction and clarify what a breast reduction surgery can do for you. Once your surgeon understands your goals, he or she may suggest additional or related procedures such as breast lift, liposuction, or an upper body lift. Your plastic surgeon will examine, measure, and photograph your breasts for your medical record.
Your surgeon will consider:
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your complete medical history. This will include information about:
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before undergoing surgery. If you think that you may want to become pregnant in the future, discuss this with your surgeon. Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of your breast reduction.