Many women choose to undergo breast reduction surgery for symptomatic relief, but it can also improve the appearance of your body. The procedure involves removing excess fat, tissue, and skin, which results in perkier, smaller breasts.
The procedure is usually done as an outpatient under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes incisions around the nipple area.
Lollipop Incision
The lollipop breast reduction technique is a newer option combining breast reduction with a lift procedure for a more youthful appearance. This method is less invasive than other traditional approaches and leaves minimal scarring.
This breast reduction method is a Bellevue plastic surgery suitable for women seeking a moderate size reduction. It removes the excess skin around the areola and nipple area while reshaping the breast and making it rounder. The lollipop procedure also preserves the upper pole of the breast, which creates cleavage and perkiness, unlike other traditional methods that result in sagging over time.
It’s important to note that this method can be more suited for moderate breast reduction cases than extreme reductions, which is why it is often combined with a lift procedure to achieve optimal results.
Additionally, because the lollipop technique preserves the lower part of the breast, it may not be ideal for women who wish to breastfeed in the future.
Anchor-Shaped Incision
The anchor incision breast reduction technique is ideal for those requiring moderate size reduction. This method involves a circular incision that circles the areola and continues downward to the breast crease. Excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin are removed through these incisions, resulting in a more proportional breast.
This method is also effective in lifting breasts that have experienced severe sagging and can deliver remarkable results. As a result, this procedure is typically preferred by patients with asymmetrical breasts or those experiencing substantial breast sagging.
Additionally, the lollipop incision breast reduction technique offers minimal scarring. This is because it does not include the horizontal cut that the anchor method requires. Generally, it only takes around six weeks for patients to recover fully from this procedure, and the results are permanent. This means they can enjoy a boost in self-confidence and ease in physical activities without worrying about bra fit or painful chafing.
Inverted-T Incision
For patients who require a significant amount of breast tissue to be removed and important nipple sagging to correct, the inverted-T pattern is ideal. This breast reduction technique involves three incisions, one around the nipple and two vertically down the chest. This allows the surgeon to perform a more extensive removal of excess breast tissue and reshaping.
Like the buttonhole method, it avoids free nipple grafting by keeping the nipple-areola attached to some underlying breast tissue. However, it does not offer the same hope of retaining a high level of nipple sensation as the traditional double-incision technique.
In contrast to the lollipop and anchor-shaped techniques, the inverted-T approach provides a more comprehensive nipple lift and has minimal scarring. It is often used for more pronounced breast size reduction or nipple sagging correction. Structured questionnaires are sent to patients one year later to collect feedback on aesthetic results (scars, symmetry, and breast volume) and nipple sensation (1=high, 2=medium, 3=low). The results indicate that women who undergo the inverted-T technique are just as satisfied with their cosmetic results as those who experience the vertical and keyhole methods.
Vertical Incision
In this technique, the surgeon incurs around the nipple and continues vertically to the breast crease. This technique allows the surgeon to remove more tissue, making it ideal for women who need moderate reduction.
It also eliminates the need for a horizontal incision along the bottom of the breast, resulting in less scarring. Like the anchor and lollipop techniques, this one preserves the blood and nerve connection to the nipple and allows for future breastfeeding.
Unlike the inverted T approach, which relies on the skin brassiere to hold its shape, this method uses the medial pedicle to enable the breast to remodel after surgery. The superior breast tissue can support the new body, whereas the inferior tissue is more likely to lose shape with the inverted-T technique. This makes the vertical approach more durable and longer lasting than the inverted-T technique. It also provides a more natural curve to the nipple.
