Breast Reduction

Breast reduction, known as gynecomastia for males--reduction mammaplasty for females--and typically involving a breast lift, or mastolexy, is performed on both men and women, typically to reduce excessively large breasts that result in discomfort in one’s shoulders and back, breathing problems, and/or insecurities. This procedure removes fatty breast tissue to make the breast smaller and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola. Breast reduction should not be performed if the breasts are not fully developed unless they are causing extreme discomfort. This procedure is not a recommended procedure for those women who intend to breast feed, and another important consideration is to weigh your options over whether it’s better to have smaller breast or surgical scars.

Depending on the extent of the desired breast reduction, there are four types of incisions used.  The crescent incision is used when there is a minimal amount of breast reduction/lifting to be performed as a small area directly above the areola is removed, and the breast is effectively both reduced and lifted.  The donut incision involves incisions directly around the areola in a concentric fashion.  The amount of lifting and reduction is typically greater than possible with the crescent incision.  The T-incision usually achieves the greatest amount of breast lifting. However, it also requires the largest incisions that go around the areola, down the breast and under the breast.  The vertical incision achieves an even greater amount of breast lifting but involves an incision that not only surrounds the areola, but also extends vertically onto the lower portion of the breast.

It’s important to know that breast reduction surgery has a long recovery process and the breasts may not settle into shape for six months to a year. Scars may also require a long time to fade. If you gain weight, have hormonal fluctuations, or become pregnant, there’s no guarantee that the results will be permanent. Chances are, when you see how your clothes fit better and your body is more proportionate, you’ll be very pleased with your results.  For more information, please contact an Advisor at MCSA.