Scarless Breast Reduction – Is Breast Liposuction Effective?

Breast Reduction with Liposuction

If you’re thinking of having a breast reduction using liposuction, here’s what you can expect. You’ll usually be given a general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be completely asleep and won’t feel a thing. Breast liposuction can also be performed using local anaesthetic in selected cases. Once the anaesthetic kicks in, your surgeon will make a cut around the darker area around your nipple, called the areola, and also along the front and underside of your breast.

The surgeon will then remove any extra tissue and skin to make your breasts smaller. They’ll also move your nipple and the surrounding areola to a new, higher position that looks natural with your newly resized breasts. Once that’s all done, the surgeon will stitch the cuts back up. Sometimes, they might put a small tube in there to drain away any build-up of blood or other fluids, just to make sure you heal properly.

After the surgery, you’ll need to wear a special supportive bra to help your breasts keep their new shape while you recover.

Having overly large breasts can be down to your genes but can also be affected by hormonal changes, multiple pregnancies, or menopause. For women who struggle with large, heavy breasts, this can cause issues like back pain, shoulder pain, and neck discomfort. Some women choose to go for a liposuction breast reduction to get relief from these issues and find it easier to take part in physical activities that they used to find difficult.

RELATED: Large, Heavy Breasts – Solutions for Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain

Can Breast Liposuction cause droopy breasts?

The potential for breast sagging or drooping after liposuction-based breast reduction depends on various factors, including skin elasticity, the amount of fat removed, and the patient’s age. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Skin Elasticity: If you have good skin elasticity, your skin is more likely to “snap back” after fat removal, minimising the chances of sagging. On the other hand, if your skin has lost its natural elasticity due to aging or other factors, you may experience some degree of sagging post-surgery.
2. Amount of Fat Removed: The more significant the reduction in breast volume, the higher the likelihood of some sagging, especially if the skin doesn’t contract back fully.
3. Age: Younger skin tends to be more elastic and may recover better than older skin.
4. Pre-existing Sagging: If your breasts are already droopy before the procedure, liposuction alone may not be sufficient to provide the lifting effect you might desire.

If sagging is a significant concern for you, some surgeons opt for a combined approach. Liposuction can be used to remove excess fat, and a separate lifting procedure can be done to address sagging. However, a breast lift would involve more extensive incisions, thereby leading to more scarring compared to liposuction alone.

Liposuction in Breast Reduction Surgery: What You Need to Know

sensitive content warning

1-44

2-42

breast-liposuction-before-and-after-2

breast-liposuction-before-after-6

breast-liposuction-before-after-5

breast-liposuction-before-after-4

If you’re considering a breast reduction but worried about scarring, liposuction might be a good option for you. This method is becoming increasingly popular and has been in use for over 20 years. It’s known for leaving fewer scars compared to traditional breast reduction surgery.

Advancements in Technology and Techniques

New tools and better ways of doing things have made this surgery even more effective and safe. Here are some key practices that make sure you’re getting the best care possible:

Pre and Post-Surgery Mammograms

In the past, experts thought that liposuction for breast reduction was only good for people with more fatty tissue in their breasts. Now, we know it can work well on firmer breasts too, using the right techniques and tools. A mammogram before your surgery helps your surgeon get a detailed look at the makeup of your breast tissue. This helps them decide the best way to do your surgery. Another mammogram is usually done about 6 months after surgery to make sure everything is healing as it should and to check for any complications.

Making Sure Your Breasts Are Even

After surgery, there’s a risk that your breasts might not be perfectly symmetrical. To help prevent this, most surgeons recommend that you sit or stand upright after the operation. This helps the tissue settle in a more natural and symmetrical way.

The Right Tools for the Job

The surgery involves making small cuts, often around the areola (the dark circle around the nipple), below the breast, or sometimes in the armpit. Then, a small tube known as a cannula is used to remove fat and tissue. Surgeons often use cannulas that are 3 to 4 millimetres wide and attach them to a 60-millilitre syringe. The removal is done in a specific pattern to make sure it’s even. Once that’s done, the cuts are usually closed up with stitches that dissolve on their own.

Liposuction Breast Reduction vs Surgical Breast Reduction – Pros & Cons

Both liposuction breast reduction and surgical breast reduction have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a comparison to help you understand the key differences:

Liposuction Breast Reduction

Pros:

1. Minimal Scarring: One of the main advantages is the minimal scarring, as it requires only small incisions to insert the cannula.
2. Shorter Recovery Time: Recovery time is generally quicker than traditional breast reduction.
3. Less Invasive: It’s less traumatic to the body’s tissues, leading to less post-operative pain and quicker recovery.
4. Reduced Risk: Less tissue is disturbed, so there is a lower risk of complications like infections or changes in nipple sensation.
5. Local Anaesthesia: This procedure can often be done under local anaesthesia, which avoids the risks associated with general anaesthesia.

Cons:

1. Limited Reduction: This technique is most effective for women who need only a moderate reduction in size and who have more fatty tissue than glandular tissue.
2. Skin Elasticity Required: Good skin elasticity is necessary for the skin to retract after the procedure, making it less suitable for older women or those with stretched skin.
3. May Not Address Sagging: The procedure may not effectively treat sagging or drooping breasts.
4. Cost: Liposuction procedures can sometimes be costly, depending on various factors such as location and expertise of the surgeon.

Surgical Breast Reduction

Pros:

1. Significant Reduction: Allows for a significant reduction in breast size, including the removal of glandular tissue and excess skin.
2. Addresses Sagging: Effective in lifting the breasts and addressing sagging or drooping.
3. Reshaping: Allows for better reshaping of the breast compared to liposuction.
4. Insurance Coverage: More likely to be covered by insurance if the large breast size is causing health issues like back pain.

Cons:

1. Scarring: More invasive, leading to more significant scarring.
2. Longer Recovery Time: Requires a longer period of recovery and more post-operative care.
3. General Anesthesia: Usually requires general anaesthesia, which carries its own set of risks.
4. Higher Risk of Complications: More extensive surgery leads to greater potential for complications such as infection, changes in nipple sensation, or difficulties in breastfeeding.
5. Cost: Surgical breast reductions can be expensive, although they are more likely to be covered by insurance if medically necessary.

RELATED: What Do Breast Reduction Scars Look Like?