It's almost a universal truth that people desire the body shape that they don't have. Women with small breasts may look longingly at pictures in fashion or celebrity gossip magazines of buxom models or reality TV stars, wishing that they had larger breasts. Meanwhile, women with overly large breasts gaze wistfully at racks upon racks of bras or bikini tops that are designed for women with smaller breasts. Nowhere is the old adage about wanting what you don't have more true than when it comes to breast size.

Fortunately, just as women with small breasts undergo breast augmentation to look like their favorite lingerie models, so too can women with overly large breasts undergo a breast reduction to finally fit into all of those bras and bikinis they love so much. Just like there are a number of different techniques, and breast implant materials, and sizes for women to select for a breast augmentation, the breast reduction technique can also be tailored to women's needs.

Peri-areolar (Purse String) Technique

This procedure is designed for women who may not require a large amount of volume removed from their breasts, but just need to reduce the size of the areola (the darkened skin around the nipple). A circular incision is made around the areola. The suture is then pulled tight to close together the areola, giving this incision pattern its purse string nickname. The incisions will mostly be invisible, although there may be a slightly puckered appearance to the areola, but this should fade after a month or two. This technique allows fro the removal of some breast tissue, and re-sizing of the areola.

Lollipop, Keyhole, or Racquet Technique

This incision pattern goes by a variety of names, but all have the same basic shape. Once the peri-areolar incision is made, a second incision is made from the underside of the areola down to the inframammary crease (the underside of the breast at the point where it meets the chest wall). This technique is best for women who only need a moderate amount of breast reduction and repositioning of the areola.

Anchor Technique

This technique is used for women who need a large amount of tissue removed to reduce the shape of the breasts. A third incision is added to the lollipop incision technique. This runs the horizontal length of the inframammary crease.  The excess skin, fat, and breast tissue is then gathered from the underside of the breast and removed. The areolar can also be reduced with this technique.

Liposuction

This procedure is a relatively new addition to the techniques available for breast reduction. A series of small incisions are made in the areas of the breast to be targeted for fat removal. A thin metal tube, called a cannula, is then inserted into the breast, and the fat is gently vacuumed out. This procedure can be done in conjunction with any of the incision techniques used for breast reduction.

No two breast reduction patients are alike. Their breasts may differ in terms of size, shape, and skin elasticity. Furthermore, no two patients will have the same goals from a breast reduction procedure. Some patients' goals may be to reduce the size of the breasts as much as possible, while others may be more concerned about scarring. Fortunately, Dr. Paul Pin has a variety of techniques from which to choose in order to help patients meet their goals from a breast reduction procedure.