Breast Reduction in Scottsdale, AZ

Women who have breasts that are proportionately too large for their bodies, may face many medical problems as well as have aesthetic concerns. Breast reduction surgery requires careful consideration and our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tsujimura, at Scottsdale Plastic Surgeons, can help to relieve some of the uncertainty and explain the benefits of a breast reduction at a consultation in our Scottsdale, AZ office. This surgery is designed to decrease the size of the breasts and make them more proportional to the rest of the body. It will relieve persistent back/neck pain as well as reduce indentations, redness and chafing in the shoulders made by tight bra straps. Having a breast reduction surgery can alleviate medical problems, and our unique surgical techniques can also give patients a renewed self-esteem by allowing these women to pursue more physical activities and wear clothing that never fit very well before because of large breasts.

During breast reduction surgery, surgeon skill is important. In addition to minimizing scarring, there will be a focus on maintaining a healthy blood supply to the nipple areola complex. This is essential because once the nipple and areola are repositioned, blood vessels will work to reestablish blood flow in order to prevent discoloration of the nipple, necrosis, and loss of feeling. Excess breast tissue is excised and the loose skin will also be surgically removed.

An “anchor” incision is one of the most commonly used techniques during this surgery.  During this approach, an incision is made around the areola, which extends down on the anterior breast, then follows the natural curve and crease of the breast. It is also referred to as a vertical “T”. Once the breast is resized and reshaped, the nipple and areola will be repositioned and then the lift will be performed so the breast sits higher on the chest. The incisions will generally include absorbable stitches on the inside of the breast. There are variations to this incision pattern that can be used depending on breast size and aesthetic goals.  

A breast reduction is performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) sedation as an outpatient procedure. It typically takes 4-5 hours to complete. During surgery, a drain may be placed. For the first several weeks, patients will be directed to wear a sports bra. Most patients are able to return to work within 1-2 weeks, and may begin exercising after 4-6 weeks. The visible results f a breast reduction will be immediate. However, it may take several months for nipple sensitivity to return.

The results following breast reduction surgery should remain the same as long as a significant amount of weight gain does not occur. The natural aging process and gravity will, over time, change the laxity of a woman’s breast, but the size should remain steady if there is not a pregnancy or weight gain that follows.

One of the drawbacks to having excessively large breasts is an enlarged areola (the slightly darker area surrounding the nipple). Thankfully, breast reduction surgery corrects this. Since the incision occurs around the areola, it is a relatively simple technique to trim away the desired amount of areola and reshape it into a smaller size so it looks proportional with the new breast size and shape.

This varies depending on the patient’s aesthetic and physical goals. After breast reduction surgery, it is common to go down a complete cup size, if not two.