Breast Reduction

Overly large breasts can be a physical and psychological burden. Affected women are often unable to perform routine activities comfortably. They may suffer from neck, shoulder and upper back pain, skeletal deformities and skin irritation. Self-consciousness is common and clothing is often difficult to fit, as the woman's breasts are deeply disproportionate to the remainder of her physique.

Women who suffer with overly large and heavy breasts often seek out and undergo breast reduction surgery foremost to alleviate their physical symptoms. However, Dr. Belsley feels that achieving a more aesthetically attractive breast shape is an equally important aspect of this procedure.

Abdominoplasty, Circumferential Liposuction and Breast Reduction

before
after

This 25 year old woman with a preoperative BMI of 31.8 underwent abdominoplasty along with circumferential liposuction.  This procedure treats the trunk or mid-section of the body as one unit all the way around.  I believe that this method results in a more harmonious result than treating just the front with an abdominoplasty or just the back with liposuction.  

Breast reduction in unequal breasts

before
after

This 31 year old woman underwent breast reduction in which approximately one and one third pounds of tissue was removed from the right breast and almost two pounds of tissue was removed from the left breast. 

In this individual’s case, the incisions used to perform the breast reduction were of the “lollipop” or short scar type.  This method of breast reduction avoids any incisions in the cleavage and in most instances along the lower fold of the breast.

Breasts reduced by 2 lbs per side in this short scar breast reduction

before
after

This 24 year old woman underwent breast reduction in which approximately two pounds of tissue was removed from each breast.

In this individual’s case, the incisions used to perform the breast reduction were of the “lollipop” or short scar type.  This method of breast reduction avoids any incisions in the cleavage and in most instances along the lower fold of the breast.

Breasts reduction which removed 1.5 lbs of tissue per side using short scar incisions

before
after

This 40 year old woman underwent breast reduction in which approximately one and a half pounds of tissue was removed from each breast.  The remaining breast tissue was then rearranged to form a new breast shape that is shorter and rounder.  This "rearrangement" process is very similar to what is done in a breast lift and in fact, each breast reduction I perform includes a breast lift.

Breast reduction of 1.5 lbs of breast tissue per side with anchor incision

before
after

This 39 year old woman underwent breast reduction in which approximately one and a half pounds of tissue was removed from each breast. 

I view breast reduction as a two part process:  first, tissue is removed to decrease the size and weight of the breasts; second, the remaining tissue is rearranged to create a new breast that has an aesthetically appropriate appearance.  This rearranging process is very similar to what is done in a breast lift. 

Breast reduction with inverted T pattern for symptomatic hypertrophy

before
after

This case depicts a 29 year old woman with symptomatic breast hypertrophy who underwent a breast reduction using the inverted T or "anchor" incision pattern. Because of this individual's symptoms, medical insurance covered a portion of the costs of this procedure.

Not only did her symptoms improve following surgery, but she also gained a more aesthetically proportionate breast. Her post-operative photographs show her appearance approximately one month after surgery.

Breast reduction with inverted T pattern

before
after

This case depicts a 41 year old woman who wished to have slightly smaller and shapelier breasts. She underwent breast reduction using an inverted T or "anchor" incision pattern.

Her post-operative photographs depict her appearance approximately two months after surgery.

With optimal design before surgery, the portion of this incision that runs along the fold of the breast is nearly completely hidden. Reduction of the areolar size for balance and proportion is an additional advantage of this procedure.

Breast Reduction Ideals

Once I have removed enough tissue to achieve an appropriate breast size, the nipple and areola are repositioned, which means that the new, smaller breast also has a “lifted” appearance. While this is not the primary goal of this procedure, it is a fantastic secondary benefit of it. I strive to achieve the same aesthetic standards when I perform medically necessary breast reduction as I do for cosmetic breast lift or mastopexy. Since stretching of the areola is a common problem in patients with very large breasts, I typically reduce the size of the areola during breast reduction.

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Breast reduction is also called Reduction Mammoplasty

Breast reduction is also called Reduction Mammoplasty. Overly large breasts have appropriately been described as an “affliction.” Terms have been derived, ranging from macromastia to gigantomastia which may not be etymologically correct but are certainly image-conjuring.

The surgical technique of reduction will depend on the situation, the amount of reduction required, the preference of the patient and the decisions of the surgeon. To the extent possible, wherever the incision is placed, the nipples and areolae will be left attached to functioning breast tissue, thereby retaining normal sensation and the potential for breast feeding.

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