Breast Reduction Surgery

About

Women with heavy, large breasts often experience upper back, shoulder and neck pain, shoulder grooving from bra straps and aggravated arthritis in the shoulders or spine. Breast reduction surgery can minimize or resolve these problems. Most patients who undergo breast reduction report they are pleased with the results and say they wish they had chosen to have surgery sooner.

Breast reduction surgery incisions

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Your Mayo surgeon will discuss breast reduction surgery options and techniques with you and choose the most appropriate option to meet your needs. Breast reduction surgery may be covered by your insurance company if it decides the procedure is medically necessary. Your treatment team will submit a summary of the pre-surgery evaluation and photographs to the insurance company for consideration for surgical approval and payment preauthorization.

Surgery

During surgery, a new size and position for the nipple and areola (the dark area around the nipple) are chosen. Excess breast tissue and skin are then removed. The remaining breast tissue is reshaped, and the nipple and areola are repositioned.

Liposuction is also sometimes performed to reduce the fullness in the axilla (armpit). A drain tube may be required for a few days after surgery to collect excess body fluids. If liposuction is added to the procedure, the drain may remain in place for one to three weeks.

Although your surgeon will attempt to achieve symmetry between your breasts, some variation in breast size and shape, as well as in the position of the nipple and areola may be likely.

Scars are hidden in the crease under the breast and below the areola, and usually fade with time. They are shaped like an anchor and typically go around the areola, vertically down from the bottom of the areola to the crease and then curve along the crease in the breast.

Risks

Risks associated with breast reduction include, but are not limited to:

• Breast-feeding may become difficult or impossible after surgery
• Healing issues may occur, especially for those with a history of nicotine use or exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking can cause skin death, delayed healing and even loss of the nipple-areola region.
• Sensation in the nipple may be lost, as certain nerves are separated from the breast tissue during surgery. This is usually temporary.

Like any surgery, breast reduction surgery poses some general health risks such as:

• Problems related to anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Infection

Read more about breast reduction surgery at MayoClinic.com.