1. A breast reduction has 4 components:
- The breasts are made smaller (self-evident).
- The breast is given a “lift” by repositioning the areola and reshaping the breast each and every time.
- The areola, which is almost always excessively large in diameter, is resized.
- Excess skin is removed. The amount of excess skin determines the ultimate length of the incisions and resulting scars.
2. Breast reduction is most often a functional procedure.
Most women are seeking a reduction of weight in their breasts to ameliorate the common symptoms of shoulder, back, and neck pain. Younger women who are athletic often find large breasts get in the way and want them smaller.
3. Women who have had breast reductions most often go on to lose additional weight.
Many years ago I did a retrospective study on my own patients. We found that after reduction, the average patient went on to lose an additional 14 pounds. When we explored the possible reasons it became clear that because of the reduced weight on the chest, the women became more active and with that the ability to lose unwanted pounds.
4. Breast reduction will reduce the risk of breast cancer.
This might seem intuitive but it is really not. For the longest time plastic surgeons were concerned that trauma to the breast might actually increase the risk. It turns out to be the opposite. The rate of reduction is loosely linked to the amount of tissue removed.
5. Younger women who have reductions are still able to breastfeed.
This does not mean that all women undergoing reduction are capable of breastfeeding. Rather the amount of breast tissue remaining and the intact milk delivery anatomy allows the possibility to breastfeed which most women find they can co.
