Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty / Mastopexy)

Many women feel that their breasts do not match their overall body physique. Extremely large or droopy breasts may be the result of excessive development or the aging process. Such changes most frequently occur during for hereditary reasons during menarche, pregnancy or following menopause; or at any time during a woman’s life as a result of weight gain.

Although the goals of breast reduction and breast uplift procedures are different, the procedures will be discussed together because the pre-operative preparation, external surgical incisions, and post-operative course are quite similar. In both procedures, incisions are designed to create a more youthful and natural shaped breast. In both procedures, this involves elevating the nipple/areola complex from a lower, droopier position, to a more natural position on the center of the breast mound.

Occasionally, the patient may desire breast implants at the time of an uplift procedure if the   patient perceives that the breasts are not only too droopy, but too small as well. It is important to understand that no person is perfectly symmetrical from one side to the other, even before a surgical procedure. Every attempt will be made during surgery to minimize your side-to-side dissimilarities, but such differences are natural and always persist to some degree, even after the most successful operation.

There is no evidence that breast uplift or reduction surgery alters the possibility of developing breast cancer. It will still be necessary for you to examine yourself monthly for breast lumps and to undergo mammography as suggested by your personal physician. It is suggested that all females 35 years of age or older obtain a mammogram, and annually after the age of 40, whether or not you decide to proceed with elective breast surgery.

With the breast uplift procedure, few incisions are made within the substance of the breast. While reducing a breast, incisions will naturally course across breast ducts, but the ducts immediately beneath the nipple are left intact and usually such a patient would be able to breast feed, if this becomes desirable in the future. Although not all women are able to breast feed even before a breast operation, these procedures by themselves should not rule out the ability to breast feed at a later date.

The following information has been prepared to familiarize you with facts about the surgical procedures known as breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) and breast uplift (mastopexy). You are requested to read this information thoroughly and to discuss any questions, which might arise with your surgeon before proceeding with either a breast reduction or an uplift procedure. You are also requested to keep this form as a reference in the post-operative period.