Breast Reduction: Q&A

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Second Breast Reduction - Will It Make Scar / Sensation Worse?

Had a breast reduction 5 years ago. Believe my true cup size was a G cup, and asked to go down to a C cup. Well I ended up with a D cup size and after being pregnant, my cup size is larger. I have quite a bit of scar tissue below the breast (around the U shape incision), My question is, would a second breast reduction make the scar tissue worse? Also would a second surgery effect my nipple sensation? Thank you in advance for taking time to read/reply to my questions.

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by ALgirl in Mobile, AL

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Revision Breast reduction surgery

You would likely be a candidate for further breast reduction. It is likely that in the right hands you would receive better symmetry and less scarring. There are issues with circulation and nerve supply to the nipple with all primary and revision breast reduction surgeries, so review these carefully with your surgeon before proceeding.

Breast Reduction - Second Procedure, Revisions, Scars, Nipple Sensation

Hi ALgirl in Mobile, AL, There's no absolute answer to this. You may benefit from a second surgical procedure, but I would advise the following: 1) Make sure your weight has stabilized post-pregnancy 2) Go back to your original surgeon or, if you don't, be sure to get the original operative record so that any subsequent surgery can be planned keeping that in mind. This is particularly important with respect to the blood supply to the nipple and areola,... more

Revision of scars of previous breast reduction.

The revision of your breast reduction surgery will provide the opportunity to improve the shape of your breasts, improve the symmetry, and improve the scars. You skin is very light and therefore, barring any complications like infection or suture reaction, you are likely to have a good scar which over time will become less obvious as the scar matures. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon who will examine you and advise you accordingly.

Secondary (repeat) breast reduction

ALgirl: your case of apparent breast "regrowth" illustrates the problem that many large breasted women experience. In counseling breast reduction patients about the possibility of breast "regrowth", it's important to emphasize that breast volume may increase during periods of hormonal fluctuation: puberty, pregnancy/lactation, weight gain and menopause. I have had some breast reduction patients, similar to yourself, whose breasts literally... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

"Secondary" breast reduction

Hello, It is very important that you are examined by a competent Plastic Surgeon who will obtain the operation notes from the "first" Plastic Surgeon (or talks to him). He will have to have a clear picture what technique was used the first time. This is important not to jeopardize the blood supply or sensation of your nipple. Properly done your scars should be the same or better. Good luck !

Secondary breast reduction

You certainly can get a revision if you think that you are too large. If it is only a small difference liposuctionmay be enough. But if you do not like the scars, sometimes these can be improved especially if less weight and tension is pushing on them.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction: second time around.

For minor reductions that are essentially "scarless" you could consider liposuction. Using traditional techniques the appearance of your scar following second breast reduction is related to several factors including the wound tension, skin vascularity, personal wound healing tendencies, etc. There is an inituitive increased risk of loss of nipples sensation but I am not sure if this has been quantified.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Your second breast reduction

A second breast reduction will not likely make your scars worse and the scar tissue underneath your skin can be removed at the same time so that your breasts have a more natural feel. There is a chance that you loose sensation to your nipple but not necessarily a higher chance. There is a higher chance (although still low) that you could loose your nipples and areolas where they turn into a scar and go away completely. Most likely you will be very happy to have your... more

Secondary breast reduction

Without a complete exam and review of your history, it is not possible to say if you are or are not a good candidate for secondary reduction mammaplasty. It is certainly possible to do it and there are many techniques that can be applied to your situation. However, it is imperative that whoever operates on your try to determine the technique used in your first reduction since different techniques rely on different blood supply to the nipple and one can jeopardize the nipple without... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Scars after breast reduction

Your breasts are certainly asymmetric as can be seen on your photo. Having a second breast reduction surgery may actually improve the scars on the breast as they will likely be excised (removed) at the time of surgery, and hopefully you will get better scars. But of course, this is not guaranteed. As far as sensation, it depends on the procedure that will be performed, but typically reducing a breast by 1 cup size should not carry a high risk of sensory loss. Good... more

Breast reduction the second time around

A second breast reduction is necessary for only a very few individuals. There is an increased risk of sensory changes in the nipple, and also a greater risk that the circulation to the nipple is compromised. The scar, if the 'T' pattern was used will be the same pattern as before, thought the old scar will be removed and give the healing a fresh start. Make sure you have lost all of the baby fat, and your weight is stable before you are committed to a second reduction. Best... more

Revision breast reduction

A repeat or secondary breast reduction can likely use the same scars as the previous reduction. Scar tissue that is firm can most likely be removed at the time of your surgery. Without examing you, it is hard to know what might have caused the scar tissue to become firm, but most likely, this should be avoidable or significantly less pronounced after your next reduction. In addition, breast asymmetry can be addressed at the time of surgery. I would suggest that prior to your next surgery,... more

Breast Reduction Scars

When you have a secondary breast reduction it is almost always possible to use the same incisions you had before. Additionally, the incisions can usually be improved from previous since any wide scars can be excised at the time of the secondary surgery. Good Luck.

Second breast reduction, is it possible?

Looking at your photo it seems that you have some breast asymmetry as well. A secondary reduction is possible, the old scars are excised as a routine. The quality of the scar you 'll form is related to the skin suture line tension and you healing ability, barring infection. There's a possibility that you can loose nipple sensation and you are at a higher risk for nipple loss. You might want to go back to your original surgeon or you should carry your operative report with you to your... more

Secondary breast reduction

Secondary breast reductions are certainly possible but should be assessed and performed by an experienced surgeon as the blood supply to the nipple is at slightly higher risk. Given your description and resultant asymmetry, you are a good candidate for a secondary reduction. Your inferior scars are most commonly excised during the procedure.

Re-doing breast reduction

You have a substantial difference between the breasts and this should be mostly corrected by another reduction. The scars don't show in the photo so presumably you are not going to see ones any worse than the current ones. The sensation might be less or might not change and there is no way to know this.

Revisionary Breast Surgery

Thank you for the question. Revisionary press reduction surgery will not necessarily make your existing scars any worse; they may possibly be improved upon. with any type of breast surgery, however there is a chance that your nipple sensation will be affected. One of the concerns when breast reduction is performed is related to blood flow to the remaining breast tissue; it is important to perform the operation in such a fashion that the blood flow to the... more

Scarring and Breast Reduction Surgery

You would be certainly need an evaluation with a plastic surgeon to give you definitive answers to your questions. In general a second breast reduction would incorporate your existing scars so they can possibly be improved. Nipple sensation would be at risk of alteration.

Risks of areola sensation loss and scarring from a secondary breast reduction procedure

A second breast reduction will allow you to address not only the enlarged size of your breasts but also the contour changes, asymmetries and the scarring from the previous procedure. The technique employed for the procedure would affect the extent of risk of losing sensation. It is possible to have sensation not much different than you have right now though a far more extensive procedure such as an exact repeat of the first one will still be associated with a risk of loss of some... more

Secondary breast reduction

You have a great result, even after the pregnancy and passage of time. The scar tissue should be no worse than it is now, and may even be better. Sensation is always at risk for this procedure, and it should be no more so than it was during the first procedure. sek

Second Breast Reduction - Will It Make Scar / Sensation Worse?

Regarding: "Second Breast Reduction - Will It Make Scar / Sensation Worse? Had a breast reduction 5 years ago. Believe my true cup size was a G cup, and asked to go down to a C cup. Well I ended up with a D cup size and after being pregnant, my cup size is larger. I have quite a bit of scar tissue below the breast (around the U shape incision), My question is, would a second breast reduction make the scar tissue worse? Also would a second surgery effect my nipple sensation? Thank you... more