Breast reduction surgery: Overview
Breast reduction surgery removes a lot of the breast tissue and skin from the breasts. This reshapes and lifts the breasts and reduces their size. It can also make the dark area around the nipple smaller.
Your doctor makes a cut around the dark area and down to the crease under the breast. The doctor then removes extra skin and breast tissue and sews the remaining skin together.
After surgery, your breasts will weigh less. But you may have lasting scars on your breasts. And you may have less feeling in your breasts and nipples. Breast reduction may make it hard to breastfeed.
You will probably be able to go home the same day. Depending on the type of work you do, you should be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 2 to 3 weeks. The incisions leave scars that usually fade with time.
Why is breast reduction surgery done?
Breast reduction surgery is done to change the size, weight, firmness, and shape of the breasts. You may decide to have breast reduction surgery to:
- Feel more comfortable. Large, heavy breasts can cause back and neck pain, skin irritation, and posture problems. The constant pull of heavy breasts may make bra straps leave painful indentations in your shoulders. Breast reduction surgery can eliminate these problems in most cases.
- Reduce the limits that large, heavy breasts place on taking part in sports or other activities. Some physical activities may be painful or awkward if you have large breasts.
- Alter your appearance. Large breasts, especially when they are out of proportion to your height and weight, can be embarrassing. Teens and young adults with large breasts may especially feel self-conscious wearing swimsuits and other types of clothing due to unwelcome attention to large breasts. It also may be hard to find clothes that fit well.
How is breast reduction surgery done?
To reduce the breast size, the doctor first makes one or more cuts (incisions) in the breast. Then the doctor removes extra breast tissue, reshapes the remaining breast tissue, and repositions the nipple and areola. Finally, the incisions in the skin are closed.
Breast reduction surgery is usually done in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. An overnight stay in the hospital isn't needed unless there are problems during surgery. You will probably be asleep during surgery.
After breast reduction surgery: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
- You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
- You are bleeding from the incision.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
- You have signs of a blood clot in your leg, such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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