Breast Reduction

The best breast reduction technique depends on individual factors like breast size, skin elasticity, and the patient’s desired results. However, there are several commonly used techniques, each offering unique benefits:

• Inverted T/ Anchor Technique: This is the most traditional and commonly used method for significant breast reductions. It involves three incisions​​ around the areola, vertically down to the breast fold and along the inframammary fold. This technique allows for the greatest reduction, lifting, and reshaping and is ideal for women with larger breasts or significant sagging.
• Vertical/ Lollipop Technique: This method involves two incisions—around the areola and a vertical line extending down to the breast fold. It provides a lift and reshaping without the additional horizontal incision along the fold, making it less invasive and leaving a more minimal scar. This technique is great for women with moderate to small reductions.
• Donut/ Periareolar Technique: This technique requires only a single incision around the areola. It’s best for patients with minimal sagging or who only need a small reduction. It results in minimal scarring, but it’s not suitable for patients needing significant tissue removal.
• Liposuction-Assisted Breast Reduction: For women with excess fat rather than significant glandular tissue, liposuction can be used to remove fat and reduce breast size with smaller incisions. This option is less invasive and results in quicker recovery, but it may not provide as much lift or shaping as traditional techniques.

The best technique for you depends on your breast size, desired outcome, and the amount of tissue to be removed. Dr. Valina will assess your unique case to recommend the most appropriate approach for achieving the best results while minimizing scarring and ensuring long-term satisfaction.

A breast reduction can help minimize or eliminate bra rolls (the excess fat or skin that spills over the sides of your bra) by removing excess breast tissue, particularly around the sides and under the arms. During the procedure, Dr. Valina reshapes and repositions the breasts, reducing the volume and tissue that contribute to these rolls.

Additional treatments, such as liposuction or body contouring, may be recommended to achieve the best results if there is significant excess skin or fat in the surrounding areas.

A breast reduction and a breast lift both aim to enhance the shape and appearance of the breasts, but they do so in different ways.

Breast reduction is all about removing excess tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size and relieve the physical discomfort that often comes with larger breasts, like back, neck, and shoulder pain. This procedure can also help improve breast-to-body proportion and often involves repositioning the nipple-areolar complex to a more youthful, natural spot. Ideal for women with oversized breasts that cause both physical discomfort and emotional stress, a breast reduction results in smaller, lighter, and more lifted breasts. It’s also effective at addressing bra rolls and skin irritation under the breasts, making it a transformative solution for both appearance and comfort.

A breast lift (mastopexy) is the perfect solution for women looking to rejuvenate sagging breasts without changing their size. This procedure removes excess skin and tightens the remaining tissue to create a firmer, more youthful appearance. The nipple-areolar complex is often repositioned to enhance the overall shape and symmetry. While a breast lift doesn’t alter breast volume on its own, it can be combined with breast augmentation if desired. This procedure is ideal for women experiencing sagging due to aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations who are happy with their breast size.

Some women choose to combine both procedures, opting for a breast reduction with a breast lift for optimal results, particularly if they want to reduce breast size while lifting the breasts. The key difference between the two is that a breast reduction removes excess tissue to reduce size, while a breast lift focuses on lifting and reshaping without removing much tissue.

Dr. Valina will ask patients to return about a week after surgery to remove sutures and monitor recovery. After that, she will let them know when to return for further follow-ups. Patients should expect three to four follow-ups over several months, with additional visits scheduled as needed. Typically, follow-up appointments occur one day after surgery, seven days, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, one year, two years, five years, and ten years post-surgery.

Even though there are immediate results, breast reduction settles in after the resolution of swelling and bruising.

Patients should expect to see their breasts settle into their final resting position at the three to four-month mark.

Even though Dr. Valina is an expert at this procedure and will try her best to hide incisions in natural lines and folds, scars are always to be expected from this type of procedure. Your scar type will depend on the type of incision technique you choose, your scar care regimen, and your healing profile.

Patients should avoid strenuous activities, including exercise, for up to three months after surgery. They should also avoid anything that causes unnecessary bouncing or pressure on the bosom.

Breasts do not typically “grow back” after a breast reduction, but the remaining tissue can change over time due to factors like weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, or pregnancy. While the procedure aims to reduce the size and shape of the breasts permanently, any weight gain or hormonal changes can lead to some increase in breast size. The final shape and size are usually smaller and more proportionate to the body than before the surgery.

To ensure the best long-term results, maintain a stable weight and discuss any future plans, such as pregnancy, with Dr. Valina.

Breast reduction surgery can affect breastfeeding, depending on the surgical technique used and how much tissue is removed. If the milk ducts and nipple-areolar complex are preserved, many women can still breastfeed afterward. However, significant tissue removal or severing of ducts may reduce or eliminate breastfeeding ability. If you plan to breastfeed in the future, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon.

After a breast reduction, you will typically need to wait 2-3 days before showering, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations and how your incisions are healing. It’s important to avoid getting your surgical sites wet during the initial healing phase to reduce the risk of infection.

We will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, but generally, you can shower once your sutures are secure and any drainage tubes (if present) are removed. Be sure to gently pat your skin dry, avoiding direct pressure on the breast area, and refrain from scrubbing the incisions. Following your surgeon’s guidance is always best to ensure a smooth and safe recovery.

While a breast reduction is designed to lift and reshape the breasts, some sagging can occur over time, especially due to natural factors like aging, gravity, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy. The procedure removes excess tissue and tightens the skin, which generally provides a perkier appearance right after surgery. However, since the breasts are still subject to these external influences, some degree of sagging may happen years down the road. The more breast tissues that you have, then they will sag more and faster with time compared to having less breast tissues.

Maintaining a stable weight and wearing a supportive bra are essential to minimize sagging. If significant sagging occurs later, a breast lift (mastopexy) can be considered to restore the shape and firmness of the breasts. Your surgeon will help guide you on the best options for long-term breast health.

Yes, indeed! Our patients who have received a breast reduction in Miami have considered combining it with other body contouring procedures, such as a breast lift. Patients are highly encouraged to share these ideas of combined procedures with Dr. Valina during the initial consultation so that she can discuss and include them as she drafts a surgical plan.

Dr. Valina will use general anesthesia when performing this surgery, so you should be pain-free during the procedure. Post-surgery, patients should expect discomfort, swelling, and bruising. It is recommended that they continue using their compression bra and cold compresses to stay ahead of these effects. Dr. Valina can provide pain medication as needed.

Breast reduction in Miami has some risks associated with it. Patients should do their due diligence in learning about these. Some are listed below:

• Allergic reaction
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Breast asymmetry
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Nerve damage
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Cardiopulmonary complications
• Excessive firmness of the breast
• Fat necrosis
• Fluid accumulation
• Infection
• Pain, which may persist
• Poor wound healing
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Potential inability to breastfeed
• Skin discoloration
• Unfavorable scarring

If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office immediately so that we may help.

Patients should first do thorough online research to find the best aesthetic surgeon for their breast reduction in Coral Gables and the greater Miami area. Everything from qualifications, board certifications, hospital practice experience, and affiliations to patient reviews are good factors in assessing a surgeon’s profile. Finally, it is essential to schedule an in-person consultation to see how you feel in their presence. Do you feel safe, heard, and comfortable? Is this someone with good bedside manners, and can they satisfy your questions with detailed answers? During your consultation, also ask to see past patient photos to see before and after comparisons.