Breast reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the volume of excessively large breasts (breast hypertrophy), alleviating the associated postural, musculoskeletal, and skin problems, and significantly improving the patient's quality of life. Excessively large breasts are not just an aesthetic concern: they can cause chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, limit physical activity, provoke recurrent skin irritation, and generate significant psychological distress. For this reason, breast reduction is often considered a procedure with both aesthetic and functional value.
The procedure removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin from the breast, repositioning the nipple-areola complex to a higher and more harmonious position. The surgeon reshapes the remaining breast tissue to create a proportionate, smaller breast with a pleasing shape. The amount of tissue to be removed is carefully planned during the pre-operative consultation based on the patient's body proportions, wishes, and the need to alleviate physical symptoms. The removed tissue is sent for histological examination as a safety measure.
Breast reduction techniques are chosen based on the extent of reduction needed and the patient's anatomical characteristics: • Inverted T (or "anchor") technique: the most commonly used for significant reductions, with scars around the areola, vertically, and in the inframammary fold. It offers maximum freedom for reshaping • Vertical (or "lollipop") technique: indicated for moderate reductions, with scars only around the areola and vertically downward. It leaves shorter scars • Periareolar technique: for minimal reductions, with scars exclusively around the areola. Suitable for breasts with mild ptosis and moderate volume excess
Breast reduction is recommended for women who suffer from the physical and psychological consequences of excessively large breasts: • Breast hypertrophy causing an evident disproportion with the rest of the body • Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by the excessive weight of the breasts • Deep shoulder grooves created by bra straps supporting the weight • Difficulty or inability to practice physical and sports activities • Recurrent skin irritation and intertrigo (maceration) in the inframammary fold • Psychological distress and difficulty in clothing choices
The procedure is not recommended in the following cases: • Ongoing pregnancy or breastfeeding, as hormonal changes and breast modifications may affect the result • Significant obesity, as achieving a more stable weight before surgery is advisable. Subsequent weight loss could modify the result • Uninvestigated breast conditions, such as lumps or lesions requiring diagnostic investigation first • Active smoking, which increases the risk of circulatory and healing complications • Desire to breastfeed in the near future (although in most cases breastfeeding remains possible)
The procedure takes 2-4 hours depending on the amount of tissue to be removed and the technique used. An overnight hospital stay is required to monitor recovery during the first post-operative hours. Drains are placed and removed after 1-2 days. Recovery takes 2-3 weeks, during which wearing a special support bra without underwire is necessary. Sutures are progressively removed between the first and second week. Light activities can resume after approximately 10 days, while sports activities should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks.
Yes, breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia, as it involves the removal of significant amounts of tissue and requires careful breast reshaping. General anesthesia ensures maximum patient comfort and the best operating conditions for the surgeon. A complete anesthesiology consultation with all necessary preoperative tests is performed before surgery.
Results are visible immediately after surgery: the breasts appear smaller and lifted right away. Relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain is generally felt from the first post-operative days. The final aesthetic result is appreciated after approximately 6 months, when swelling has completely resolved, scars have matured, and the breasts have assumed their final shape. Patient satisfaction with this procedure is among the highest in plastic surgery.
In most cases, breastfeeding remains possible after breast reduction, as modern surgical techniques preserve the vascularization and innervation of the nipple-areola complex and maintain the connection between the milk ducts and the nipple. However, the ability to breastfeed depends on the technique used and the amount of tissue removed. It is important to openly discuss this aspect with the surgeon during the pre-operative consultation, especially if a future pregnancy is planned.
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