Breast Reduction/Lift

The following information has been prepared to familiarize you with facts about the surgical procedures known as reduction mammoplasty (breast reduction) and mastopexy (breast uplift). You are requested to read this information thoroughly and to discuss any questions which might arise with your surgeon before proceeding with either a breast reduction or an uplift procedure.

Introduction

Many women feel that their breasts do not match their overall body physique. Extremely large or droopy breasts may be the result of abnormal development or the aging process. Such changes most frequently occur during menarche, pregnancy or following menopause.

Although the goals of breast reduction and breast uplift procedures are different, the procedures will be discussed together because the pre-operative preparation, surgical incision, and post-operative course are quite similar. In both procedures, incisions are designed to create a more youthful and natural shaped breast. In both procedures this involves elevating the nipple/areolar complex from a lower, more droopy position, to a more natural position on the center of the breast mound.

In a breast reduction procedure, breast tissue is resected in addition to the excess skin, thus reducing the final volume of the breast while elevating the nipple/areolar complex. In an uplift procedure, skin alone is resected while the nipple/areolar complex is positioned in a more elevated location. Occasionally, the patient may desire a small breast implant at the time of an uplift procedure if the patient perceives that the breasts are not only too droopy, but too small as well.

It is important to understand that no person is perfectly symmetrical from one side to the other, even before a surgical procedure. Every attempt will be made during surgery to minimize your side-to-side dissimilarities, but such differences are natural and always persist to some degree even after the most successful operation.

There is no evidence that breast uplift or reduction surgery alters the possibility of developing breast cancer. It will still be necessary for you to examine yourself monthly for breast lumps and to undergo mammography as suggested by your personal physician. It is suggested that all patients 35 years of age or older obtain a mammogram prior to elective breast surgery.

With the breast uplift procedure, no incisions are made within the substance of the breast. While reducing a breast, incisions will naturally course across breast ducts, but the ducts immediately beneath the nipple are left intact and usually such a patient would be able to breast feed if this becomes desirable in the future. Although not all women are able to breast feed even before a breast operation, these procedures by themselves should not rule out the ability to breast feed at a later date.

Call Dr. Gerlach's office at 310-540-0144 for a complimentary consultation.