Breast reduction is a common and safe procedure to reduce the size of the breasts and restore their shape and nipple position.
At a glance
Breast reduction is a common and safe procedure to reduce the size of the breasts and restore their shape and nipple position.
Severity
Medium
Sedation
Total
Clinic Stay
1 Night
Stitch removal
No
Recovery
4 - 6 weeks
Breast reduction cost
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In recent years, the number of women choosing breast reduction procedures has significantly increased. It is a common and safe breast surgery. In some women, the breasts may develop excessively, causing both aesthetic and functional problems. This excessive growth can occur during adolescence or due to weight gain.
It is also quite common for such an issue to arise due to hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menopause. This condition may manifest as macromastia or even gigantomastia. Moreover, in the majority of cases, the excessive weight of the breasts leads to pronounced sagging. These are some of the most frequent indications that prompt women to undergo a breast reduction procedure performed by a plastic surgeon.
Why should you choose a breast reduction procedure?
The aesthetic concerns associated with overly large breasts typically become more noticeable with age. Specifically, due to tissue laxity, breast ptosis (sagging) occurs, resulting in a loss of upper pole volume. As the nipple shifts downward and its diameter enlarges, the lower pole becomes excessively heavy.
Most women with macromastia are forced to wear very tight bras in order to support the breasts. This causes difficulties in choosing clothes and finding suitable swimwear.
Functional reasons why breast reduction may be necessary
In general, women choose breast reduction not only for aesthetic but also for various functional reasons. The main issue that usually arises is mechanical: due to the excessive breast size, the neck and chest area are significantly strained. In most cases, this leads to further problems such as neck pain and spondylolisthesis caused by the weight.
Maintaining proper hygiene is also challenging with very large breasts, as the inframammary fold does not receive sufficient ventilation. As a result, sweating can cause the development of fungi and bacteria in the area, leading to dermatitis characterized by redness or pain.
Women with macromastia are also more prone to mastitis or chronic inflammations such as hidradenitis. Even their daily activities are significantly affected! Walking, running, and sleeping often become painful experiences. In these cases, a breast reduction procedure is the best solution!
How can breast reduction help with breastfeeding and cancer prevention?
Many women with excessively large breasts are unable to breastfeed, because the weight causes significant stretching of the milk ducts, obstructing the flow of milk. Additionally, the nerves of the nipple are stretched due to the weight, resulting in reduced sensitivity.
Beyond breastfeeding, breast reduction also addresses another major issue: difficulty in preventive screening for breast cancer. Palpation becomes almost impossible and mammography is less effective, as lesions are harder to detect due to shadowing from the dense and heavy breast tissue.
For these reasons, a breast reduction procedure is sometimes essential, as it significantly improves women’s quality of life. In other cases, the procedure is performed for aesthetic purposes, helping the breasts better match the body’s proportions. In every situation, whether for functional or personal reasons, our goal—just as with all breast surgeries—is to achieve a beautiful, long-lasting aesthetic result without compromising breast function.
Before and after: smaller breasts
With FaceTouchUp, you can see for free how your body will look after breast reduction simply by uploading a photo. Explore the before-and-after results easily and quickly, before making any decision.
Breast reduction techniques
There are multiple breast reduction techniques, and selecting the most appropriate one aims to achieve sufficient reduction with the fewest possible scars while ensuring long-lasting results. The degree of reduction must be tailored to each body type and effectively address all functional concerns.
Regarding the scars that remain after breast reduction, there are two main surgical approaches: those with an inverted-T or anchor-shaped scar and those with a vertical scar.
The choice of incision is based on the proper assessment of the breast and excess skin. In general, scars are not a major concern, as healing is typically excellent and, after a few months, most of the scar tissue becomes barely noticeable.
Choosing the appropriate techniques after preoperative assessment
Beyond the external scars, breast reduction techniques can differ from one another. Some key distinctions are based on the method of removing glandular tissue and how the remaining breast volume is reshaped. The tissue removal may involve the central and lower pole of the breast or include a large portion of the lower-outer quadrant.
The choice depends on the preoperative assessment and the desired outcome. Additionally, during breast reduction surgery, the volume of tissue removal can vary greatly—ranging from 200–300 grams up to more than one and a half kilograms per breast.
The nipple and breast are repositioned in a way that ensures proper blood supply and nerve preservation throughout, while simultaneously achieving a natural, teardrop breast shape. During the procedure, special measurements are taken to ensure breast symmetry in terms of size, shape, and nipple position
Which procedures can be combined with breast reduction for enhanced results?
A great complement to breast reduction is liposuction, which can sculpt areas that are difficult to access, such as the sides of the breast towards the armpit. In this way, we can also reduce the overall length of the scar.
In some cases, the upper pole of the breast appears excessively empty and flat. If we determine that reshaping the gland alone will not sufficiently restore volume, we can complement the procedure by adding a small amount of fat or even small silicone implants to this area!
Natural results.
0% silicone, using the most modern techniques.
After breast reduction surgery
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually does not require hospitalization. The procedure lasts approximately 2–2.5 hours. After the surgery, a special elastic bandage or bra is applied. Drains are not necessary in most cases, and the sutures used are absorbable, so there is no need for removal.
Postoperative pain after breast reduction is very mild and is fully managed with common painkillers within 2–3 days. Overall, the procedure does not significantly impact daily activities. Restrictions include avoiding showering for the first 5–6 days and refraining from sports activities for a few weeks.
Otherwise, there are no strict restrictions, and returning to work can be very quick. During the first few weeks after breast reduction, there may be some numbness in the nipple area, which completely resolves after a short period. Initially, the breasts may appear slightly unnaturally elevated, and the upper pole may give the impression that a silicone implant has been placed.
This is an intentional technique in breast reduction, achieved through a planned overcorrection. Our goal is that after 3–4 months, when the breast naturally drops slightly, it will take on the desired shape — the natural teardrop shape.
Breast reduction results
The final result of breast reduction becomes apparent after approximately 4–6 months, once the breasts have settled into their new position. The breast weight is noticeably reduced, which is reflected in daily activities. Physical exercise becomes easier, as does finding a suitable bra, while there is also significant improvement in posture and pain relief. About a year after breast reduction, almost all scars fade almost completely. The result will remain for many years, provided there are no major weight fluctuations. The breasts will show far fewer signs of sagging and laxity due to their reduced weight. As for breastfeeding, the technique we use fully preserves the ability to lactate. We can confirm this from the large number of cases that have undergone breast reduction in our clinic over the past 40 years. The same applies to nipple sensation, which remains intact.
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Dr. Prodromos Papaioannou
He completed his plastic surgery specialization in Germany, at the Pirmasens Hospital, the Asklepios Wandsbek Hospitals in Hamburg, the University Hospital in Magdeburg and the Braunschweig Clinic. He worked as a specialist-deputy director at the Braunschweig Clinic (specializing in breast reconstruction after cancer and cosmetic surgery). He also participated in scientific research and completed his doctoral thesis (Dr. Med.) at the Magdeburg Clinic.