How a Breast Reduction works

The procedure involves removing excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin. Incisions are placed in an anchor-like pattern around the areola, extend vertically down from it and in the breast crease. The nipple, which remains tethered to its original blood and nerve supply is repositioned. If the areola is large, it is reduced by excising skin at its perimeter to improve its proportion with the overall breast appearance. The vertical and horizontal incisions are brought together to reshape the now smaller breast. 

Post-surgery, the recovery phase is an essential step to ensure optimal results. Patients must wear a supportive sports bra. This is not only for comfort; it plays a pivotal role in reducing swelling, offering support during healing, avoiding stretching on scars and helping them settle into their new shape. Incision lines are permanent but with consistent care and time, they will fade.

It’s important to discuss any future breastfeeding intentions or goals with your surgeon. Breast reduction surgery, while greatly beneficial for many women in terms of comfort and aesthetics, can impact your ability to breastfeed. By removing breast tissue in this procedure, milk ducts, the channels that transport milk from the deep breast tissue to the nipple, are severed or disrupted. Additionally, the surgery might impact the glandular tissue responsible for milk production. As a result, some women who’ve had a breast reduction may find that they produce less milk than expected or experience challenges in milk flow, while others are completely unable to breastfeed afterwards. While certain surgical techniques aim to preserve as much of the milk-producing tissue and ducts as possible, there’s always a risk. It’s essential for women considering a breast reduction to discuss potential breastfeeding concerns with their surgeon, understanding that while some women can still breastfeed after the procedure, the experience could be different than anticipated.