American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Breast Reduction

Reduction Mammaplasty

Breast reduction surgery entails the removal of skin and tissue from the breast, followed by reshaping and elevating to create a smaller, more proportionate bust size.

What are the steps of a breast reduction procedure?

Breast reduction involves making incisions on the breast skin to remove the excess breast tissue and skin. This surgery can also reduce the dark skin around the nipple called the areola.

The technique used to reduce the size of your breasts will be determined by your individual anatomy, breast composition, amount of reduction desired, your personal preferences and the surgeon's advice.

In some cases, excess fat may be removed through liposuction in conjunction with the excision techniques described below.

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

Incision options include:

Lollipop Incision
Breast Reduction Lollipop Incision

Keyhole Incision
Breast Reduction Keyhole Incision

Step 3 – Removing tissue and repositioning

After the incision is made, the nipple – which remains tethered to its original blood and nerve supply – is then repositioned. If necessary the areola diameter is reduced by removing skin around the perimeter. Underlying breast tissue is reduced and the remaining breast tissue is lifted and shaped.

With extremely large breasts, the nipple and areola may need to be removed completely and then repositioned to a higher position on the breast (this is called a free nipple graft). In this case, the nipple and areola will not have sensation after the operation and it will take longer to heal.

Step 4 – Closing the incisions

The incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape close the skin. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases they will fade over time.



Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Timothy Mountcastle Headshot

Timothy Mountcastle, MD

44095 Pipeline Plaza Suite 430
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 858-3208

Shlomo Widder Headshot

Shlomo Widder, MD

8230 Leesburg Pike Suite 630
Vienna, VA 22182-2641

(703) 506-0300

Michael Brown Headshot

Michael Brown, MD

45155 Research Place Suite 125
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 726-1175

Amir Ghaznavi Headshot

Amir Ghaznavi, MD

13454 Sunrise Valley Dr STE 130
Herndon, VA 20171

(703) 239-3190

David Berman Headshot

David Berman, MD

14 Pidgeon Hill Drive Suite 340
Sterling, VA 20165

(703) 406-2444

Victoria Yongsook Suh Headshot

Victoria Yongsook Suh, MD

8503 Arlington Boulevard Suite 130
Fairfax, VA 22031

(703) 846-0097

Jamal Yousefi Headshot

Jamal Yousefi, MD

502 Maple Avenue W.
Vienna, VA 22180

(703) 255-4922

Robert Sigal Headshot

Robert Sigal, MD

1825 Samuel Morse Dr.
Reston, VA 20190

(703) 893-6168

Logo

Patient Care Center