Many women are concerned because of overly large or sagging breasts, a condition resulting in neck and shoulder pain, deep grooves in the shoulders from brassiere straps, skin rashes, and increased menstrual discomfort. In addition, these patients often experience emotional distress when friends (and even total strangers) thoughtlessly comment on the size of their breasts. Other women are bothered by sagging breasts, and while the size of their breasts may be acceptable, the undesirable shape makes them feel unattractive.

Enlarged breasts are often the result of hereditary factors or weight gain. Hormones also play a part in some cases where the breast tissue is actually more sensitive than normal to certain female hormones. Sagging breasts result from poor skin tone, stretching of ligaments during pregnancy and breast-feeding, weight changes, heredity, and the aging process. Either of these conditions can be corrected with the same basic operative procedure, and thousands of women each year undergo successful surgical alteration of their breasts.

During your initial consultation, you will be encouraged to discuss your desires, fears, expectations, and goals. In addition to reducing breast size, a breast lift can create a more aesthetically pleasing breast by improving shape and balance and creating breasts which are proportional to your chest and shoulders. No woman has breasts which are perfectly symmetrical in volume, shape, or position. a breast lift should improve breast symmetry in addition to a more youthful appearance (firm breasts with proper uplift).

Procedure

A more shapely breast (lifted and reduced in size) is created by elevating the nipple (which normally remains connected to its nerve and blood supply) to a more acceptable position. If the nipple is enlarged, its size is reduced. The breast and torso are measured to determine the amount of reduction required, and a pattern is drawn on the breast. If necessary, the internal breast tissue is reduced and molded into a normal size and shape. Sometimes, during uplift operations, a small implant may be placed to add extra support and shape to the breast.

New techniques in plastic surgery aim to reduce the length of incisions and scars in performing breast lifts and reductions. In traditional techniques the final incision lines are made around the areola (dark circle around the nipple), down the bottom center and horizontally under the breast and resulting in an anchor scar. More modern methods used have limited the incisions to either just around the areola (small circular scar) or around the areola and down the center of the breast resulting in a lollipop scar. In particular cases, a significant breast reduction can be achieved by sculpting the breast using liposuction ( liposculpture ). All incisions are closed in multiple layers in order to minimize widening of the scars.

A comfortable bandage is fitted after surgery and worn for 48 hours. We recommend continued support of the breasts with a well-fitted, comfortable bra after reduction to prevent sagging. A small drain may be used to collect fluid for a day or two after the procedure to help decrease swelling and discomfort.