Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

Breast reduction surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Breast reduction is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You don't smoke
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
• Your breasts limit your physical activity
• You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• You have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
• You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
• Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
• Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
• You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin

The success and safety of your breast reduction procedure highly depends on your complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Previous surgeries
• Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Your surgeon may also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of your breast reduction procedure and any risks or potential complications
• Discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure for breast reduction

The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast reduction surgery and potential complications are acceptable.

The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast reduction surgery and potential complications are acceptable.

You should know that:

• Breast reduction surgery can interfere with certain diagnostic procedures
• Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
• Your ability to breastfeed following reduction mammaplasty may be limited; talk to your doctor if you are planning to nurse a baby
• The breast reduction procedure can be performed at any age, but is best done when your breasts are fully developed
• Changes in the breasts during pregnancy can alter the outcomes of previous breast reduction surgery, as can significant weight fluctuations

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single breast reduction procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Breast reduction procedures may be performed in a hospital. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these breast reduction complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

Be careful

Following your physician's instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself and minimize breast reduction surgery risks.

Be sure to ask questions: It's very important to address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

After researching the basics about breast reduction, many patients want to know what to expect before breast reduction surgery.

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
• Stop smoking well in advance of breast reduction surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

• What to do on the day of surgery
• Post-operative care and follow-up

Many patients have questions about recovery from breast surgery.

When your breast reduction procedure is complete, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. An elastic bandage or support bra may be worn to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

You will be given specific instructions for breast reduction recovery that may include:

how to care for your breasts following breast reduction surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?

The results of breast reduction surgery will be long-lasting. Your new breast size should help relieve you from the pain and physical limitations experienced prior to breast reduction.

Your better proportioned figure will likely enhance your self image and boost your self-confidence.

However, over time your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity

It is important for you to be an active participant in the process of considering and planning your breast reduction surgery. The following list of questions will help you obtain the information you need during your consultation.

Use these questions as a guide during your consultation:

• Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results from breast reduction surgery?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my breast reduction procedure?
• How are breast reduction complications handled?
• How will breast reduction affect my ability to breastfeed?
• How can I expect my breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?
• Do you have breast reduction before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure? Which results are reasonable for me to expect?