Breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of the breasts, by removing fat, breast tissue and skin, making them smaller, lighter and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola. Women with large breasts may have some problems due to this excess weight, such as back and neck pain, skin irritations under the breast, and breathing problems. The purpose of reduction mammoplasty is to provide women with smaller breasts with a shape more proportional to the rest of their body.
The intervention is performed in an operating room, in a hospital, requiring an overnight stay. The next day, the postoperative bandage is changed to a tight-fitting sports bra and the patient is discharged from the hospital. In most cases, surgery consists of breast elevation, reduction in the size of the areola and reduction of glandular content, symmetrizing both breasts. The scars are located around the areola, from the areola to the sulcus (vertical) and along the sulcus. During the first year they may be somewhat more visible and have a pinkish appearance, however, at the end of the first year they begin to change to a paler color, often becoming practically invisible.