Breast Reduction

Large breasts can cause pain, improper posture, rashes, breathing problems, skeletal deformities, and low self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery is usually done to provide relief from these symptoms. Performed under general anesthesia, the two- to four-hour procedure removes fat and glandular tissue and lifts and tightens the breast to produce smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body.

Breast reduction surgery patients are some of the happiest in plastic surgery. The surgery is usually performed on women who have finished child-bearing. It may not be recommended for women who intend to breast-feed, since many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples are involved in the surgery. However, in younger women with very large breasts, the surgery can still be performed to alleviate their symptomatology. Health insurance may cover this surgery, if the large volume of breast tissue causes back or neck problems, which have required evaluation or treatment by a back specialist.

During the procedure an anchor-shaped incision is made from the new location of the nipple down to and around the crease beneath the breast. Dr. Berger removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, relocates the nipple and areola, and reshapes the breast. The ‘vertical’ breast reduction eliminates the scar under the breast but has a longer healing period before the final shape is achieved. Dr. Berger will discuss both breast reduction options with you prior to surgery and help you choose the procedure that is right for you.

Liposuction may be needed to remove excess fat from the armpit area, and in some cases when only fat needs to be removed from the breasts, liposuction alone is used for breast reduction. At the end of surgery you will be placed in a surgical bra and you may be given surgical drainage tubes for fluid removal. Any non-dissolving stitches come out in a week and the surgical bra must be worn for about at least a month.