What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is an operation to remove extra fat, tissue, and skin from your breasts. If you have large breasts that are out of proportion to the rest of your body and causing neck pain, back pain, or other symptoms, you may be considering breast reduction surgery.

Most women who get breast reduction are very satisfied with the results. Men with conditions such as gynecomastia (in which male breasts are abnormally enlarged) may also have it.

Because it's major surgery, you should know the benefits, potential complications, and what's involved in recovery.

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts. For those with large breasts, breast reduction surgery can ease discomfort and improve appearance.

Breast reduction surgery might also help improve self-image and the ability to take part in physical activities.

Why it's done

Breast reduction surgery is meant for people who have large breasts that cause the following:

• Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
• Shoulder grooves from bra straps
• Chronic rash or skin irritation under the breasts
• Nerve pain
• Not being able to take part in some activities
• Poor self-image due to large breasts
• Trouble fitting into bras and clothing

Breast reduction surgery generally isn't recommended for people who:

• Smoke
• Are very obese
• Don't want scars on the breasts

You can have breast reduction surgery at any age — sometimes even as a teenager. But breasts that aren't yet fully grown might need a second surgery later in life.

Reasons to postpone breast reduction surgery include:

• Planning to have children. Breastfeeding might be challenging after breast reduction surgery. However, certain surgical techniques can help keep the ability to breastfeed.
• Planning to lose weight. Losing weight can often result in changes to breast size.