Breast reduction Charlotte

Breast reduction can have a major impact on the quality of a woman’s life. This procedure has a very high satisfaction rate, with nearly all women who have a breast reduction reporting that they’re happy with the results. While some women choose breast reduction for purely aesthetic reasons, others experience discomfort from their overly large breasts and seek relief from back pain, skin irritation, and other concerns.

Usually, breast reduction is done via a surgical procedure. However, since breasts are made up mostly of fat, women sometimes wonder whether liposuction would work as a method of breast reduction. In fact, liposuction is the most common method used for breast reduction in men. It can also be used for some women, although it isn’t appropriate in all cases. What are some of the issues to think about when considering liposuction as a method of breast reduction?

Liposuction can remove only a limited amount of tissue

During a surgical breast reduction, the surgeon removes not only fat tissue, but also glandular tissue (the milk-producing glands). This helps to create a balanced breast with a natural appearance. However, liposuction can only safely remove fat tissue, not glandular tissue. Although large breasts are made up mostly of fat, other tissues can also be a significant part of the breast volume, and achieving a good result from a breast reduction depends on leaving behind the right amounts and types of tissue. Some women may be happy with how their breasts look with only fat tissue removed, while others would prefer the results with both fat and glandular tissue removed.

Additionally, the volume of fat tissue that liposuction can safely remove at one time is limited. This is because removing very large volumes of fat via liposuction can lead to fluid shifts in the body that are potentially unsafe. For some women, the desired reduction of breast volume can be achieved using liposuction. For others, liposuction cannot safely remove enough volume, and a surgical breast reduction will be needed to achieve the results they’re looking for.

Liposuction doesn’t address the skin and overlying connective tissue

Additionally, liposuction doesn’t address the skin and other connective tissue of the breast. A traditional surgical breast reduction will also include a breast lift, in which the surgeon removes excess skin and repositions the breast higher up on the chest wall. This leaves the breast with a more youthful and pleasing look.

However, liposuction doesn’t address the skin at all. For young women who have very good skin elasticity, the skin may respond to the reduction in breast volume by tightening, which will produce some of the appearance of a breast lift. For those whose breasts have begun to droop or whose skin has lost elasticity, using liposuction without addressing this issue will generally give unsatisfactory results. Without a breast lift, the breast will droop even further when some of the volume is removed.

Liposuction is a less invasive procedure

There are also some positives to liposuction as a method of breast reduction. Although liposuction is still a surgical procedure, it uses very tiny incisions, and therefore it leaves much smaller scars than a traditional breast reduction. Although the results may not be as dramatic with liposuction, the smaller scars are worth it for some women.

The limited nature of the incisions also makes the recovery from liposuction generally shorter and easier. For women who cannot arrange to spend a week or two away from work and other responsibilities for their surgical recovery, liposuction may make it possible to have a breast reduction, when a more extensive surgical procedure would not be possible for them.

Are you considering breast reduction Charlotte or surrounding area?

Breast reduction via liposuction might be a good option for you, or you may achieve a better result with a traditional breast reduction. If you’re considering breast reduction via either of these methods, then a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon will allow you to learn more. When you visit Dr. Erik Miles to discuss breast reduction, he’ll tell you more about what results you might expect from each procedure in your specific case. Our comfortable office is convenient for patients from Charlotte, Lake Norman, and the surrounding area. Please contact us to schedule your consultation.