Breast Reduction
Overly large, heavy breasts can be as distressing as very small ones — with the added burden of back and shoulder pain, difficulty finding clothes and limits on sport. Reduction restores both volume and contour.
At a glance
How it is performed
The basic operation reduces breast volume and restores normal contour. Because enlargement is nearly always accompanied by some degree of sagging and gradual downward displacement of the nipple, restoring contour also means moving the nipple to a new level consistent with the remaining breast.
Scars sit around the areola, in the fold beneath the breast, and along a short vertical line joining the two. Every effort is made to keep the inframammary scar as short as possible without compromising the shape. Scars are noticeable for the first six to twelve months, then gradually fade and improve — they do not disappear entirely.
Target size is decided together at the pre-operative consultation. A supportive bra is worn for four weeks afterwards, and meticulous scar care over several months usually results in very acceptable scarring.
Who is it for
- Breast, back, neck and shoulder pain caused by breast weight; grooving from bra straps.
- Difficulty exercising or finding clothing in available sizes.
- Enlargement combined with sagging and a downward-displaced nipple.
- Patients in stable general health who have discussed target size carefully beforehand.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–2
Two nights in hospital. Small drains prevent fluid collecting and are removed after two days.
- Week 1
Dressings changed every other day. Swelling, tenderness, numbness and tiredness are expected.
- Weeks 1–2
Stitches are removed in stages; recovery is largely complete by about twelve days.
- Weeks 2–3
Return to work.
- Weeks 4–6+
Strenuous exercise and sunbathing. Scars flatten from three months, sometimes up to two years.
Risks & honest expectations
- Fluid collection, blood clots, bleeding under the skin, infection, delayed healing.
- Poor healing with visible scarring or skin loss; wide or keloid scars in susceptible patients.
- Partial or, very rarely, complete loss of the nipple, because it is the tissue that must be displaced furthest. With current techniques this has become extremely rare.
- Partial or complete loss of nipple sensitivity, depending on the technique used.
- Need for a second procedure in a small number of cases.
The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Questions about this procedure
Will the pain in my back and shoulders go?
Relief of neck, shoulder and back symptoms is one of the most consistent benefits patients report after reduction, alongside being able to exercise comfortably.
Can I breast-feed afterwards?
Breast-feeding after a standard reduction is generally possible, but it cannot be guaranteed and depends on the technique required in your case.
How much smaller will I be?
The target is agreed in detail before surgery, balancing your wishes against what is safe for tissue circulation and what suits your frame.
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Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.
Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye
