Treatment Techniques
There are a whole variety of techniques depending on your breast anatomy, the amount of tissue being removed, what you are looking for, and the scars you are prepared to accept to achieve this.
There are typically three types of incisions as surgical options for this breast reduction procedure:
Inverted-T or ‘Anchor’
Incision & Scar
This involves 3 incisions: a circular one around the areola, a vertical one from the areola to the crease at the bottom of the breast, and a lateral one along the crease. This forms the anchor comparison that it is named after, similar to an upside-down ‘T’.
Most of the scars are hidden fairly well in this way and settle with time.
Breast Size
Most patients do best with procedures that involve the anchor scar. Although it is best suited to cases that require a large amount of tissue removal.
This is because this style allows the surgeon the most leeway during the cosmetic procedure.
Vertical or ‘Lollipop’
Incision & Scar
This involves 2 incisions: a circular one around the areola and a vertical one from the areola to the crease at the bottom of the breast. This creates the lollipop scar that it is named after.
The more noticeable scarring is limited to a small section under the breast, which can easily be hidden with bras and bikinis until they fade. The darkness of the areola area makes the circular scar less noticeable too.
Breast Size
Women who need a moderate reduction in breast size or experience noticeable sagging are generally best suited to this type of reduction. Excess fat, skin, and breast tissue can be removed well with this shaping.
The internal reshaping and lifting of the breast is also a possibility with this.
Circular or ‘Doughnut’
Incision & Scar
This involves only 1 incision: a circular one around the areola. This creates the doughnut scar that it is named after. The darkness of the areola area makes this scar far less noticeable than others.
Breast Size
This surgical option is rarely chosen because it offers limited access to breast tissue. Because of this, it is a treatment used only on a handful of women who have only mildly enlarged breasts, meaning that less tissue needs to be removed.
What to Expect from your Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction procedures are generally highly successful, with excellent outcomes that make for very happy patients.
Before the Operation
A breast reduction requires a specialist who can make you feel comfortable about the process, the benefits, the limitations, and the outcomes of your treatment. This is our priority in your first consultation, follow-up consultation, and throughout the procedure.
As with most surgical procedures, a general anaesthetic is used for this surgical treatment.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery is in line with most other surgical procedures of this nature.
Our comprehensive service aims to prepare you for this in every way possible. An overnight stay is not required after the surgery, but patients will have the option of staying overnight if they live alone, live far away, or would just rather stay overnight.
While most of the swelling and discomfort usually settles within 2 to 3 weeks, it can take a few months to settle completely. Similarly, the scarring usually improves considerably over the first 3 months but will take a year to settle completely.
We will arrange a wound check 1 week after your procedure, as well as a follow-up consultation at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months thereafter at our Glasgow clinic.
