Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is widely known to be the most successful cosmetic surgery procedure from the patient's point of view. It improves the size and shape of the breasts as well as increasing comfort: less backache, neck ache, shoulder pain, sweating, skin rashes, bra strap indentation, poor posture, etc. From the perspective of patient satisfaction breast reduction is perhaps the most reliable of all cosmetic surgical procedures and there is an appreciable and quantifiable improvement in the patient’s quality of life.

Reduction mammaplasty reduces the size of large, heavy and pendulous breasts while reshaping and uplifting them to give smaller, youthful and aesthetically pleasing breasts.

Of the many breast reduction techniques available Professor Malata prefers the minimal scar techniques: LeJour vertical mammaplasty or the Hall-Findlay superomedial vertical scar method for smaller breasts. For very large breasts a traditional anchor-shaped / T-scar method (with a superomedial pedicle technique) is chosen. Rarely, it is possible to reduce the breasts without scars by using liposuction alone. He reserves the McKissock vertical bipedicle technic only for redo surgery in patients who have had an inferior pedicle technique elsewhere.

To view the before and after photos in Professor Malata’s publications on breast reduction / reduction mammaplasty click below

• Breast reduction with the superior parenchymal pedicle - T scar approach;

• Experience with the Wise mammaplasty skin resection pattern in skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for large breast volumes;

• An algorithmic approach to abdominal flap breast reconstruction in patients with pre-existing scars results from a single surgeon’s experience

As in any cosmetic surgery, there are risks as well as benefits and the final results are not guaranteed. The chance of complications following breast reduction surgery depends on the exact type of operation needed and other factors such as your general health. Professor Malata will explain how the risks apply to you. Detailed postoperative instructions will be discussed during consultation and a procedure-specific handout given to you by Professor Malata.

Some risks of breast reduction

Frequent:

• Bruising & swelling

• Numbness of nipples & breast skin: common

• Delayed healing and T-junction wound breakdown: common but insignificant

• Altered nipple & skin sensation: usually temporary

• Long scars – largely unavoidable

• Interference with breast feeding – moderate

• Loss of erotic nipple sensation: common

Infrequent:

• Bleeding/ haematoma: uncommon

• Infection: rare

• “Bottoming out” (nipples too high) - rare

• Residual asymmetry between the 2 breasts.

• Malposition of the nipples,

• Lumpy scars: hypertrophic/ keloidal scars

• Fat necrosis: smokers, gigantomastia

• Nipple loss: extremely rare

• Unpleasant nipple sensitivity