Breast reduction is usually an inpatient procedure, meaning that an overnight hospital stay is required. This procedure is performed with the patient under general anesthesia (the woman is asleep during the procedure). The surgery can take three to four hours and sometimes more depending on the patient’s condition, the extent of the reduction and other circumstances.

To reduce the size of the breasts, the plastic surgeon makes an anchor-shaped incision around the areola (dark area around the nipple), down the breast in a vertical line and then along the natural crease of the breast. During the breast reduction surgery, fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts are removed.

For this procedure, the surgeon may use liposuction to remove excess fat from underneath the armpit. In addition, the areola may be reduced in size in certain cases. For many women, the nipple and areola are left intact. However, for some women whose breasts are particularly large, the areola and nipple may need to be moved to a higher position for cosmetic purposes.

Women who are planning to breastfeed their children should discuss this procedure carefully with their plastic surgeon beforehand. Once the nipple and areola are cut and moved, breastfeeding is no longer possible.