Breast Reduction
Reduces and lifts excess breast tissue, and may relieve neck, back and shoulder discomfort, headaches, and irritation beneath the breasts. Exercise and clothing choices may become more comfortable. For many patients, breast reduction can be life-changing.
A More Comfortable, Proportionate Breast Size
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, refers to a variety of surgical techniques used to reduce excess breast tissue and skin.
Dr. Charles Slack's fellowship training and extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery provide a strong foundation for treating patients considering breast reduction.
Because every patient is different, the procedure is planned around your breast anatomy, proportions, symptoms, and personal goals.
Could Breast Reduction Help You?
Women consider breast reduction for many different reasons, ranging from physical discomfort and activity limitations to breast proportion, symmetry, and shape.
Large Breast Size
Breasts may feel disproportionately large compared with the rest of the body.
Back, Neck & Shoulder Pain
The weight of large breasts can contribute to chronic physical discomfort.
Activity Limitations
Large or heavy breasts can make exercise and everyday physical activities more difficult.
Wardrobe Limitations
Many women find their wardrobe choices are dictated by their bust size rather than their personal style.
Sagging & Stretching
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and aging can leave breasts stretched and positioned lower on the chest.
Skin & Bra Irritation
Skin irritation beneath the breast crease and deep bra-strap indentations can accompany very large breasts.
What Issues Can Large Breasts Cause?
Overly large breasts can create physical concerns for some women, emotional concerns for others, and a combination of both for many patients.
For that reason, breast reduction is not simply about making the breasts smaller. The procedure may also improve physical comfort, breast proportion, mobility, clothing fit, and how a woman feels about her body.
Dr. Slack considers breast reduction among the most gratifying procedures because of the meaningful changes it can create for appropriate patients.
Candidates for Breast Reduction
A private consultation with Dr. Slack allows you to discuss your goals, concerns, expectations, and whether breast reduction is an appropriate option.
Ideal candidates are generally women who:
Experience one or more concerns related to excessive breast size and are healthy enough to safely undergo surgery.
How Is Breast Reduction Performed?
Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia. The exact surgical technique and incision pattern depend on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and the patient's anatomy.
Excess breast tissue and skin are removed, and the remaining breast tissue is lifted and shaped to create a smaller, more proportionate breast contour.
Large areolas are routinely reduced when appropriate as part of the breast reduction procedure.
Excess skin, glandular tissue, and fat are reduced.
The remaining breast tissue is lifted and shaped.
The nipple and areola are lifted to the appropriate position.
Both breasts are carefully evaluated for balance and proportion.
Breast Reduction Incision Options
The specific incision pattern is chosen according to the amount of reduction required and your individual breast anatomy.
Anchor Incision
Inverted-T PatternThe incision runs around the areola, vertically downward to the breast crease, and along the breast fold.
This approach provides substantial access for removing excess tissue and reshaping larger or more pendulous breasts.
Keyhole Incision
Vertical PatternThe incision surrounds the areola and extends vertically downward toward the breast crease.
This technique may be appropriate when less extensive tissue removal and reshaping are required.
What Happens to the Nipple During Breast Reduction?
In most breast reduction procedures, the nipple and areola remain attached to their existing blood supply and nerves while being repositioned higher on the breast.
In patients with very large, pendulous breasts, the nipple and areola may occasionally need to be completely removed and replaced as a skin graft.
Enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin can also be reduced during breast reduction surgery.
Your Procedure Depends on Your Anatomy
The degree of breast enlargement, sagging, skin quality, nipple position, and amount of tissue being removed all influence the surgical technique Dr. Slack recommends.
Is Liposuction Needed?
For some patients, excess fat within the breast or along the lateral chest may also be removed with liposuction.
After excess tissue is removed, the remaining breast tissue is lifted and shaped to create the final breast contour.
- Excess fatty breast tissue
- Fullness along the side of the chest
- The transition between breast and chest
- Overall contour following reduction
Scars Change Over Time
Breast reduction requires surgical incisions, but the appearance of those incisions continues to change as healing progresses.
What Will Scarring Be Like?
Once the breasts have reached their planned size, shape, and position, the incisions are closed using sutures placed deep within the breast tissue for support.
Additional sutures, surgical tape, or adhesive may be used to help close the skin incisions.
Incision lines remain as scars, but typically fade with time and are generally positioned so they can be concealed beneath a bra.
What to Expect During Recovery
Swelling and soreness are expected after breast reduction, but the change in breast size and contour is immediately apparent.
Dr. Slack provides complete postoperative guidelines and prescription pain medication that may be used if needed.
Rest & Recovery
Patients should take it easy while swelling, soreness, and early healing improve. Many patients are off prescription pain medication and may begin driving again when cleared and no longer taking sedating medication.
Careful Monitoring
Dr. Slack monitors healing and physical recovery at scheduled postoperative visits.
Returning to Work
Most patients with desk jobs return to work within one to two weeks. Jobs involving lifting or physical labor may require more time off.
Walking Only
Walking is encouraged to support circulation and healing. Avoid high-impact exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity.
Gradually Increasing Activity
Activity is gradually increased based on healing and Dr. Slack’s instructions.
Full Activity
Many patients return to unrestricted activities, including running and weight training, between six and eight weeks after surgery, when cleared by Dr. Slack.
Breast Reduction Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about breast reduction, incisions, recovery, and results.
What is breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, removes excess breast tissue and skin and reshapes the breasts to create a smaller, lifted contour.
Can breast reduction help neck, back, and shoulder pain?
For patients whose symptoms are related to excessive breast weight, reduction surgery may relieve discomfort in the neck, back, and shoulders. Results vary and not every symptom has the same cause.
Will breast reduction lift my breasts too?
Yes. Breast reduction typically includes lifting and reshaping the remaining breast tissue, with repositioning of the nipple and areola when appropriate.
What scars should I expect?
Breast reduction requires permanent incision scars. Depending on the technique, these may extend around the areola, vertically toward the breast crease, and sometimes along the crease. Scars typically fade with time but do not disappear completely.
What is the difference between an anchor and a vertical incision?
An anchor, or inverted-T, incision includes a line along the breast fold. A vertical incision generally surrounds the areola and extends downward. Dr. Slack selects the pattern based on your anatomy and the amount of reduction required.
What happens to the nipple during surgery?
In most cases, the nipple and areola remain attached to their blood supply and nerves while being moved higher. For some very large reductions, a free nipple graft may be necessary.
Can liposuction be used during breast reduction?
Sometimes. Liposuction may be used to refine fatty tissue within the breast or along the side of the chest, depending on the surgical plan.
How long does breast reduction recovery take?
Recovery varies. Many desk-job patients return to work within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting generally require more time, with many patients resuming full activity around six to eight weeks when cleared.
Can breast reduction improve rashes or bra-strap irritation?
Reducing excessive breast weight and skin contact may help relieve irritation beneath the breasts and deep bra-strap indentations, although individual results vary.
Does breast reduction lower breast cancer risk?
Some research has observed lower breast cancer incidence after reduction surgery, but the amount of risk reduction varies across studies and individuals. Breast reduction is not a substitute for screening or a proven cancer-prevention procedure for the average patient.
Could Breast Reduction Improve Your Quality of Life?
If you feel breast reduction may be right for you, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Slack to discuss your concerns, symptoms, goals, and expectations.
He will evaluate your anatomy and explain the potential benefits, risks, surgical approach, and recovery associated with your individualized treatment plan.
Take the Next Step Toward Greater Comfort
Meet personally with Dr. Slack in Allen, Texas to discuss whether breast reduction can help address your breast size, proportions, physical discomfort, and personal goals.
Allen, Texas · Serving Plano, McKinney, Frisco & North Dallas