Understanding Breast Reduction Surgery: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
Posted On: October 05, 2026 Author: The Office of Dr. Stuart Linder Posted In: Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure designed to reduce the size and weight of the breasts while creating a more proportionate breast shape. For many patients, breast reduction is both a functional and cosmetic procedure. Removing excess breast tissue and skin can reduce the physical burden of overly large breasts while also creating a breast shape that is more proportional to the patient’s upper body.
In my Beverly Hills practice, I perform breast reduction surgery using the inferior pedicle Wise-pattern technique. This approach allows me to remove excess tissue and skin from different areas of the breast while maintaining blood supply to the nipple-areola complex and reshaping the remaining breast tissue. Patients often seek breast reduction because of back and neck discomfort, shoulder grooving, rashes beneath the breasts, difficulty finding clothing and bras that fit properly, or dissatisfaction with the proportion and appearance of their breasts. In this article, I answer ten common questions patients ask me when considering breast reduction surgery.
Table of Contents
- What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
- Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction?
- What Symptoms Can Breast Reduction Help Relieve?
- Does a Breast Reduction Lift the Breast Too?
- How Much Smaller Can the Breast Become?
- Will My Nipples Be Repositioned?
- What Breast Reduction Technique Do You Recommend and Why?
- Will I Have Visible Scars After a Breast Reduction?
- Can I Breastfeed After Breast Reduction?
- How Long Do Breast Reduction Results Last?
- Key Takeaways About Breast Reduction
1. What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery is performed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons to reduce the size and weight of the breasts while creating better overall proportion. It is both a functional and cosmetic operation.
During breast reduction surgery, I remove excess breast tissue from different areas of the breast, including the inner and outer portions and, when appropriate, a portion of the superior breast. In my practice, I perform the inferior pedicle Wise-pattern technique. This involves removing dermal and glandular tissue while reshaping the remaining breast tissue into a smaller and more proportionate breast.
The Wise-pattern technique results in what is commonly called an anchor-shaped scar. This scar is an important trade-off for patients considering breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction can provide significant functional benefits. Removing excess breast weight can reduce stress on the upper back and neck and may help with shoulder grooving and rashes underneath the breasts. Patients may also find that clothing and bras fit more comfortably and that their breasts are more proportionate to the rest of their body.
2. Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction?
Healthy patients with a significant amount of excess breast tissue are generally good candidates for breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction is similar to a breast lift because both procedures remove excess skin and reshape and reposition the breast. The important difference is that during a reduction mammoplasty, I also remove a significant amount of breast tissue to decrease the overall size and weight of the breast.
Patients may consider breast reduction because of back pain, neck strain, shoulder grooving, rashes underneath the breasts, or concerns about the overall proportion of their body.
Smoking is an important consideration. I generally do not consider active smokers to be good candidates because smoking can significantly increase the risk of wound-healing problems, skin necrosis, and complications involving the nipple-areola complex.
3. What Symptoms Can Breast Reduction Help Relieve?
Large and heavy breasts can place considerable stress on the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Breast reduction can help relieve symptoms associated with excessive breast weight.
Patients may experience improvement in:
- Back pain
- Neck strain
- Shoulder grooving from bra straps
- Rashes and irritation underneath the breasts
- Breast heaviness
- Postural problems associated with excessive breast weight
Very large breasts can also contribute to compression of nerves in the shoulder and arm region. In some patients, compression involving the brachial plexus or ulnar nerve can contribute to numbness or other symptoms extending into the arm and hand. By reducing breast weight and size, breast reduction can decrease some of these physical stresses.
4. Does a Breast Reduction Lift the Breast Too?
Yes. A breast reduction and a breast lift are performed together as part of a reduction mammoplasty.
When I perform a breast reduction, I remove excess skin and breast tissue and then reshape and reposition the remaining breast tissue. The nipple-areola complex is also repositioned to a more appropriate location on the breast.
I perform the inferior pedicle Wise-pattern technique, in which the nipple-areola complex remains attached to an inferior pedicle of breast tissue. The blood supply travels through this pedicle from the base of the breast toward the nipple-areola complex.
I generally maintain a pedicle that is approximately 8 to 10 centimeters wide to help maintain adequate blood supply to the nipple-areola complex. The result is a smaller, narrower, and lifted breast with removal of excess tissue from the inner and outer breast and, when appropriate, the superior central portion.
5. How Much Smaller Can the Breast Become?
The amount of tissue that can safely be removed depends on the individual patient’s breast anatomy and the amount of tissue available.
There are limits to how much breast tissue can be removed while still maintaining adequate blood supply to the nipple-areola complex. The remaining tissue must maintain sufficient thickness and vascularity.
When I perform an inferior pedicle breast reduction, maintaining an adequate base of tissue along the inferior portion of the breast is important. I generally maintain an inferior pedicle approximately 8 to 10 centimeters wide to help preserve blood supply to the nipple-areola complex.
Therefore, I cannot always determine the smallest possible breast size in advance. My goal is to safely remove enough tissue to provide meaningful reduction while maintaining adequate blood supply and creating an attractive breast shape.
6. Will My Nipples Be Repositioned?
Yes. During breast reduction surgery, the nipple-areola complexes are generally repositioned to a higher and more appropriate position on the breast. The new nipple position is determined based on the patient’s anatomy, including the location of the inframammary fold and the overall proportions of the breast and chest.
As part of the procedure, I may also reduce the size of the areola. An areola approximately 4.2 centimeters in diameter is a commonly used target size, although the final size is individualized according to the patient’s anatomy and surgical plan. The goal is to create a nipple and areola position that is proportional to the newly reduced and reshaped breast.
7. What Breast Reduction Technique Do You Recommend and Why?
In my practice, I perform the inferior pedicle Wise-pattern technique, and I have used this technique for more than 29 years.
One of the important considerations with any breast reduction is maintaining adequate blood supply to the nipple-areola complex. With the inferior pedicle technique, I preserve a broad base of breast tissue beneath the nipple-areola complex. Maintaining adequate tissue and blood supply is important in reducing the risk of ischemia, wound-healing problems, and loss of the nipple-areola complex.
The specific surgical plan is determined for each patient based on breast size, tissue quality, skin laxity, nipple position, and the amount of reduction required.
8. Will I Have Visible Scars After a Breast Reduction?
Yes. Patients should understand that breast reduction surgery requires incisions and will result in permanent scars. With the Wise-pattern technique, the scars generally create an anchor pattern, with a scar around the areola, a vertical scar extending downward from the areola, and a horizontal scar along the inframammary fold.
The final appearance of scars varies considerably from patient to patient. Scars typically change and mature over time, but you cannot predict with certainty how much they will lighten, flatten, or become less noticeable.
Skin type and pigmentation can also influence scar formation. Some patients may develop darker or more noticeable scars, while others may develop hypertrophic scars or keloids. Patients with darker skin pigmentation may have an increased tendency toward hyperpigmentation or keloid formation. I discuss the expected scar pattern and individual risk factors with each patient before surgery.
9. Can I Breastfeed After Breast Reduction?
The ability to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery can vary from patient to patient. Because breast reduction involves removing breast tissue and repositioning the nipple-areola complex, there is a possibility that some of the milk-producing tissue or ducts may be affected.
Based on available surgical statistics, approximately 10% to 15% of women may have some limitation in their ability to breastfeed following breast reduction surgery. Changes in nipple sensation are also possible, although significant permanent loss of sensation is relatively uncommon.
Patients who are considering having children in the future should discuss their plans for pregnancy and breastfeeding during their consultation so these factors can be considered as part of their surgical planning.
10. How Long Do Breast Reduction Results Last?
Breast reduction can provide long-lasting results, and many patients enjoy their reduced breast size and improved proportions for many years.
However, the breasts continue to change over time. Aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, changes in skin elasticity, and gravity can all contribute to recurrent skin laxity or breast ptosis. I also recommend that patients provide appropriate support for their breasts after they have fully healed. Once healing is complete, I generally recommend wearing supportive bras, including an underwire bra when appropriate. I also recommend a supportive or compressive sports bra at night for patients who are comfortable doing so.
Although breast reduction removes a significant amount of breast tissue and skin, it does not stop the natural aging process. Maintaining a stable weight and providing appropriate breast support can help maintain the surgical result for many years.
Key Takeaways About Breast Reduction
Breast reduction can address both the physical symptoms associated with heavy breasts and concerns about breast size and proportion. The procedure removes excess breast tissue and skin while reshaping and lifting the remaining breast tissue.
The most important things for patients to understand include:
- Breast reduction can reduce both the size and weight of the breasts.
- The procedure can help address symptoms such as back pain, neck strain, shoulder grooving, and irritation beneath the breasts.
- Breast reduction also includes a lifting and reshaping component.
- The nipple-areola complex is repositioned as part of the procedure.
- The amount of tissue that can safely be removed depends on the patient’s anatomy and the need to maintain adequate blood supply.
- Breast reduction results in permanent scars, and the final appearance of scars varies between patients.
- Breastfeeding may still be possible after breast reduction, although some women may experience limitations.
- Results can last for many years, but aging, pregnancy, weight changes, and skin laxity can affect the breasts over time.
- Each breast reduction procedure should be individually planned based on the patient’s breast size, anatomy, tissue quality, and goals.
Learn More About Breast Reduction in Beverly Hills, CA
If you are considering breast reduction surgery in Beverly Hills, a consultation is an important first step. Dr. Stuart Linder can evaluate your breast size, tissue, skin quality, nipple position, and overall proportions and discuss the surgical approach that may be appropriate for you.
To learn more about breast reduction surgery or schedule a consultation with Dr. Linder, contact his Beverly Hills office at (310) 275-4813 or complete the contact form on the website.