Breast reduction can minimize or eliminate these problems. During the procedure, excess skin and breast tissue are removed and the breasts reshaped to be smaller and more attractive. The procedure is performed at the hospital under the general anesthesia. When only a small amount of tissue is removed, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation as an outpatient procedure. During the procedure, the surgeon makes incisions so that scars form around the areola, vertically below the areola, and in the crease beneath the breasts.
Scars are an unavoidable drawback to the procedure, but typically quite acceptable to most patients.
The incisions are designed so that the scars will not be visible while wearing normal clothing. Then the surgeon repositions the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast, and removes excess breast tissue and skin. A drain may be left in place at the time of surgery and removed several days later. The patient can be up and about the day after surgery, and can go home in a few days. Sutures are removed within the first two weeks following surgery.