What is the surgical procedure to reduce the size of the breasts?

The surgical procedure to reduce the size of the breasts is called breast reduction, also known medically as reduction mammoplasty. It removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and reshapes the remaining tissue.

People may choose the operation for physical, aesthetic, or psychological reasons. Very large breasts can contribute to back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation, posture problems, difficulty exercising, and problems finding comfortable clothing. The operation aims to create a smaller, more proportionate breast shape rather than simply removing volume.

During surgery, the surgeon must preserve a healthy blood and nerve supply to the nipple-areola complex. Incision patterns vary, including vertical or “lollipop” scars and the anchor-shaped pattern used for larger reductions. Liposuction may sometimes help with volume reduction, but it does not correct significant sagging or excess skin by itself.

Breast reduction is often confused with mastopexy, or a breast lift. A lift primarily raises and reshapes sagging breasts, while breast reduction removes substantial tissue. Mastectomy is different again: it removes breast tissue as part of cancer treatment or risk reduction.