Breast Reduction Surgery FAQ

The weight of a set of large droopy breasts can often lead to a rather flat upper part of the chest, with a good portion of your breasts sitting towards the centre to lower part of the chest wall. A breast reduction operation usually requires re-arrangement of your breast tissue, which will result in an auto-augmentation type effect - leading to a more lifted shape after surgery. Most patients are pleasantly pleased by this effect and feel great about themselves.

The great thing about this operation is that it not only reduces the volume, but changes the shape of your breasts to give you better projection to achieve more of the "cleavage" look most women are after.

The reduction in volume (and weight) means less neck, back and shoulder pain.

While it is patient dependant, many patients who have undergone it are happier as they can exercise more efficiently with smaller breasts. They are able to buy bras that fit them which do not cost a fortune (most people with large breasts need special order bras which are horribly expensive and sometimes they are unable to find ones that fit properly). Most also enjoy the "lift" effect from the operation too.

Generally patients present with one or a number of the following complaints:

• Droopy breasts which are large and heavy.
• Causing neck/back/shoulder pain.
• Embarrassing to go out especially at exercise classes and gym.
• Difficulty in getting a bra which fits the very large size

Breast reduction can be done in many different ways, with a variety of different incisions
The incisions include:

• Around the nipple only (rarely done if an actual reduction is required as opposed to only a lift - as there is limited ability to remove excess tissue and volume from the rest of the breast).
• Lollipop scar pattern, or variations of (scar around the nipple with a vertical component from nipple down to the breast crease) - a very common technique. This allows the removal of a good amount of excess tissue and the ability to perform a lift at the same time with re-arrangement of the breast gland.
• Inverted T pattern - same as above with lollipop scar pattern, except the vertical component of the scar meets at a T junction with the horizontal scar at the breast crease. This is sometimes necessary if you have a significant excess amount of loose breast skin which requires tightening.

A breast reduction commonly requires removal of breast tissue volume and loose skin. The gland is sutured closed after re-arrangement of tissues. In doing so, we are often able to create a "lifted" effect.

This is called an augmentation mastopexy and is a complex procedure where the need for this is tailored individually to each patient. We would be aiming at augmenting the breast by inserting an implant. A certain degree of "lift" will be achieved by this. We can tighten the skin over the top if you have spare loose skin, thereby further "lifting" the breast by removing some of this loose skin.

This will depend how much work is required - a very large reduction vs a very small reduction/lift. If you fit the criteria you may be eligible for government medicare and/or health fund. If you do not, you may be required to pay cosmetic hospital fees which are not covered by your health fund.

Breast reduction surgery may be covered if you suffer from large pendulous breasts which cause you pain in the neck or shoulder region, however, cannot be associated with the insertion of any implants.

• Pre-existing macromastia (large breasts) which result in neck or shoulder pain
• Where the procedure is not associated with insertion of any breast implants/prosthesis