An optional surgery done on your opposite, natural breast to make it smaller and better match to the reconstructed breast.Your reconstructed breast may be smaller and have less sag than your opposite, natural breast. Breast reduction removes skin and fat from your breast to make it smaller and less saggy.
How is it done?
The surgeon removes some fat, breast tissue, and skin from the lower part of your breast. This makes the breast smaller in size and have less sag.Read more:
Some fat, tissue, and skin are removed from the lower area of your breast and the nipple is moved upward
Skin that was previously above the nipple is pulled down and sewn together below the nipple
May take 6 months 1 year for the reduced breast to settle into its final shape
Scars are usually around the areola, in a vertical line that extends down from the nipple area, and along the lower fold of the breast (in most cases)You may lose some feeling in your nipple or breast for at least 6 weeks. In rare cases, this can be permanent.
By the numbers
Number of surgeries1
A breast reduction involves one surgery that takes 1 to 2 hours, but can take longer. It is done with general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the surgery.
Nights in the hospital0
Breast reduction is outpatient (no hospital stay).
Length of recovery3 to 4 weeks
Many patients return to work and resume normal physical activities 3-4 weeks after the surgery.
What are the pros?
Your natural breast will more closely match the shape of your reconstructed breast
What are the cons?
An additional surgery with another recovery period
Permanent scarring
Scars from a breast reduction can be lumpy and red for months after your surgery. They will fade over time and become less noticeable.These scars can be hidden under most bathing suits.
Possibly not able to breast feed
If you are of child-bearing age and interested in breast feeding, you should know that you may not be able to breast feed with a reduced breast.
What are the risks?
Prolonged numbness | Permanent loss of feeling in nipple or breast
You may lose some feeling in your nipple or breast for at least 6 weeks, although numbness could continue for up to 1 year. Feeling usually returns as swelling from the surgery goes down.
However, in 5 to 10% of patients (5 -10 out of 100) the loss of feeling can be permanent.If your breast is especially large and hangs very low, the nipple and areola may have to be completely removed and placed higher up on your breast (the free nipple technique). In this case, the nipple and areola will permanently lose all feeling.