Breast reduction

Reduce weight and breast size

Breast reduction (also called reduction mammoplasty) is a mammoplasty surgery that allows the reduction of the volume and weight of the breast, relieving complaints such as cervical and lumbar pain, marks caused by bra straps and inflammation at the level of the fold.

Regarding the incisions made, there is the vertical technique, in which the breast is left with a scar around the areola and another vertical scar, from the areola to the infra-mammary fold. For larger volume reductions, the vertical technique is insufficient and there is a need to add an incision at the level of the infra-mammary fold, becoming what is known as the “T” technique.

Many patients in some cases confuse reduction mammoplasty with mastopexy surgery, but it is worth noting that they are two procedures with different objectives, as while breast reduction aims to reduce the size of the breasts, mastopexy aims to lift the breasts.

In the post-operative period, it is essential to use a specific bra.

A breast reduction has two main objectives in mind: raising the areola and nipple, reducing the size of the breast and ending with concealed residual scars.

The scars are round around the areola-nipple complex, a vertical one from the areola to the sub-mammary fold and a horizontal one in the groove, resulting in a total inverted T scar.

The size of this scar in the groove will depend on the base of the breast implantation, its axillary extension and the distance that separates one breast from the other.

The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, lasts on average up to 2 hours, can be performed on an outpatient basis, requires a special bra placed immediately after the surgery and there may or may not be the need to place suction drains.

This type of intervention is not limited to a simple aesthetic concern but is above all else a health issue.

As the surgical procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis, the patient must remain for the necessary time to take painkillers and ensure that the drainage is functional (if drains are available).

After surgery, you will wear a compressive bra that should only be removed 2 days after starting lymphatic drainage and removing the drains (if used).

You will feel a some discomfort with certain movements, such as when moving your arms, which is normal.

Work and social activity can begin on the 4th day after surgery and physical activity only after 1 month.

The stitches will be removed after 8-10 days and the bra will be kept for one month, avoiding the use of underwire bras for the following 3 months.

Scars, in addition to being treated by the physiotherapist while performing lymphatic drainage, require more late care to become imperceptible, such as: use of moisturizing creams, regenerative creams, use of silicone sheets or use of elastic compression (usually the bars of the bra).

You should not sunbathe during the 1st month or use a sauna during the first 3 months.

The final result is only definitive after 4 months, and the scars only stabilize after 6 months.

From the end of breast growth, around the age of 18, except in cases where there is great virginal breast hypertrophy, in which it can/should be reduced earlier.

This surgery always leaves scars in the infra-mammary, peri-areolar and vertical folds, which after one year become almost imperceptible, especially the vertical and peri-areolar scars (around the nipple). The fold scar, in addition to being hidden in the infra-mammary skin fold will be smaller, the smaller the amount of skin and breast tissue to be removed.

With the techniques currently practiced, there is only a slight change in sensitivity immediately after surgery, which is recovered after 3 weeks. There are very rare cases in which a woman completely loses sensitivity in her nipple.

Yes, this is one of the priorities of the surgery, reducing and above all balancing the breasts.

The price of breast reduction surgery varies depending on several factors. The most crucial thing is to understand the scale of your case. To find out how much a breast reduction costs for your specific case, schedule your evaluation with our plastic surgery team.