You are considering undertaking a delicate operation on the tissues of your breasts. This description is intended to help you understand the procedure and to serve as a reference to the many questions you might have concerning your treatment and convalescent period. Please refer to this both before and after your surgery. It has been written to serve as a reference and to allow you to learn about the procedures at your leisure.

Breast reduction is an operation used to elevate, reduce and reshape the size of the female breast. The exact same operation with skin removal only is called a Mastopexy and is used to lift and firm up the female breast to a more youthful appearance. Breast reduction may be performed in the hospital or our clinic, while mastopexy is performed only in our clinic.

Breast reduction is usually covered by most insurance companies if more than 500 grams (1 pound) of tissue is removed from each breast. The most common reasons for breast reduction are that the excess weight causes back aches, chronic neck pain, and occasional shoulder strap compression with numbness in the hands, and skin rashes in the folds of the breast.

Mastopexy is never covered by insurance unless performed with another operation. This operation lifts the breast and returns the nipple to its correct position. The majority of women having this operation do so because their breasts have sagged either from having gained a great deal of weight and then losing it or from breast feeding after childbirth.

The end result of both operations looks the same. The nipples are elevated and in a more youthful location while the breast is firmer. There are scars around the entire nipple and additional scars extending from the areola at 6 o’clock to the fold under the breast and an additional scar in the fold under the breast. These incisions must be made in order to relocate the nipple and remove the excess skin which allows the relocation of the nipple. These scars do not interfere with wearing a two piece bathing suit, strapless gown or halter top since they are hidden under the fabric. In nine months, they fade to a fine line.

Breast reduction patients are some of the most grateful patients a plastic surgeon has. The weight is gone and so is the fatigue you have had for so many years. Mastopexy patients are pleased since their former girlish figure has returned.