Breast Reduction Q&A
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Non Surgical Breast Reduction
asked 3 years ago by emma1571 in Australia
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 14,517 times
Tags: alternative, non surgical
Is there a way to make the breasts a couple of sizes smaller, or is surgery the only way to go?
49 answers to Non Surgical Breast Reduction
+2
Lipo reduction is an option
I have done many liposuction breast reductions in which a woman reduced her cup by 2 sizes or more. This does not lift the breast however adn a mastopexy with or without a breast reduction is needed to lift the breast. I frequently will do a laser bra lift and a liposuction breast reduction at the same time. wgs
+4
Currently, there is no non-surgical means of reducing the breast.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable non-surgical means of reducing the breast tissue outside of natural weight loss. In the future, there is promising technology which may apply; but, this technology is currently NOT available in the United States. Both companies have medical devices that use externally applied focused ultrasound to break down the breast fat.
The two technologies are LipoSonix and Ultrashape. It is my understanding that the FDA is requiring additional clinical studies to...
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Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon
Englewood Plastic Surgeon
+3
New Non-Surgical Techniques of Breast Reduction
Other than weight loss, there are some very new techniques of fat reduction that use freezing or ultrasound Their efficacy has not yet been reported in our leading and respected journals. I am not aware of their application to breast reduction; it is possible that these non-surgical techniques may apply to breast reduction, in the future. I can't recommend them, at this time.
Non-surgical techniques do not address shaping or lift. They will deflate the breast to reduce size....
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+3
Breast reduction options
Thanks for your question -
There is currently no reliable non-surgical method of breast reduction. The other surgeons have correctly mentioned that liposuction in some patients, may be an alternative to traditional excisional breast reductions - but make no mistake - liposuction is still considered surgery!
If the symptoms from large breasts are really bothering you but after a discussion with your plastic surgeon you're not ready to commit to surgery you can try some of the...
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+3
Surgery is the best - and only - option
Unfortunately there is no good way to reduce breast volume without surgery. Liposuction is a minimally invasive, scarless way of accomplishing the task of reducing breast volume, but liposuction alone will result in saggy breasts.
Surgery is typically very well tolerated and produces happy patients... in fact, breast reduction surgery has the highest rate of patient satisfaction of any procedure... any!
Hope this helps!
Dr. K
David L. Kaufman, MD
Folsom Plastic Surgeon
Folsom Plastic Surgeon
+2
No surgery, no but no scars?
The classic breast reduction uses incisions to remove excess skin and tissue. a lot of the tissue is fat, so it makes sense that liposuction can reduce the breast size. be forewarned that not everyone is a good candidate and that is what makes the difference between a good result or a disaster. but lipo is a definite good option for some. good luck
Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+2
Minimally invasive surgery for breast reduction is possible in some women
Many women are symptomatic from the large size of their breasts. Some are overweight and would benefit from weight reduction. This however does not always result in smaller breasts as the weight may be lost elsewhere, or the woman is not overweght to start with. In situatione where the breast is "fatty" and not glandular, that is in older women, minimally invasive liposuction can be performed. This reqiures a few tiny incisions, and carries minimal risks...
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Beverly Friedlander, MD
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2
Non-surgical breast reduction
In short, breast reduction can be achieved both with and without surgery. Weight loss will generally lead to a reduction in breast size, but everyone is different and patterns of bodily fat storage vary with age, ethnicity, and diet. There is no specific exercise or diet to target weight loss from the breasts alone. Cessation of birth control (depending on the type) or or other hormones may also affect breast size.
Liposuction is an alternative to a breast...
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Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2
Non surgical breast reduction
The only reliable way to reduce the size of your breasts is with breast reduction surgery. Alternatively, liposuction may be an option in some individuals. Weight loss may cause your breasts to become somewhat smaller but its effect on breast size is unpredictable.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2
Breast reduction without surgery
Surgery is usually the best option to achieve ideal results for a reduction in breast size. Surgery can involve liposuction or a reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction). Liposuction is a good option in very few patients. The amount of reduction needed is usually small and there has to be excellent skin elasticity present to allow the skin to shrink down to the new breast size. Breast reduction surgery is by far the best option in most patients seeking a decrease...
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Naveen Setty, MD
Plano Plastic Surgeon
Plano Plastic Surgeon
+2
There is no safe nonsurgical breast reduction technique
Unfortunately, there is no safe way to reduce breast size without surgery. Although you will occasionally see pills and injections advertise, there is no technique that has been proven to be effective in reducing breast size without the use of surgery.
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2
No Scar Breast Reduction
The usual answer to this question is "no, only surgery." I suspect that most younger women are mostly concerned about the typical scars from breast reduction, not the fact that it is "surgery." I have performed liposuction on a number of younger patients with good results. Younger women, who have no stretch marks (or few) and good elasticity can do very well with liposuction alone. I posted a case on this web site. That said, it is a bit of a compromise in that while we...
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+2
Breast reduction
Surgery is really the only way to go. You can either have liposuction to reduced the volume or surgical excision of the breast tissue. To have liposuction, your breast must have significant fat rather than breast gland. Also liposuction only removes volume without correcting the shape.
+2
Non-surgical breast reduction not an option
Surgery is the only way to reduce the breast. It can either be performed by surgical removal of the excess tissue or by using liposuction to remove the excess weight. Remember that liposuction is surgery too! Liposuction has the advantage of very small scars and it can be performed in patients with fatty breasts, however I do not prefer this method. It does not remove excess skin and, in my opinion, results in a deflated, sagging breast with a poor contour. If you are one of the lucky...
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+2
Not likely for a few years
Emma
Safety and medicolegal issues will likely delay external, "nonsurgical" breast reduction procedures from reaching the States for a while, but you may have access to them in your country. Check with a plastic surgeon in your area for details on the availability of these technologies. Good luck!
+2
Short of diet and exercise, Surgery is the best choice
There are no nonsurgical procedures that can safely and effectively reduce and reshape the breast. Some women will achieve breast reduction through diet and exercise, but short of this surgery of some type (liposuction, breast reduction) is required.
Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2
Weight loss, Stop Birth Control Pills or Surgery
Most people will experience a loss of breast size with weight loss. There is a small percentage of patients that will not respond because their breasts are predominantly gland (the tissue that makes milk and gets bigger and smaller with your period).
Birth control pills make some women's breasts larger. If you are one of those people and want to have smaller breasts then stop the pills and resort to another type of birth control.
Finally, whether you have a liposuction or conventional breast...
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Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2
Liposuction is an alternative
Emma,
For the most part, surgery is the only way to reduce the size of the breast and keep a natural appearance.
However, for smaller volume reductions, liposuction is an alternative. You have to keep in mind, however, that by deflating the breast with liposuction and not resecting the skin, you have a risk of breast ptosis (hanging skin) that may leave you worse off that you started. However, for small volume reductions, you can achieve very nice results with liposuction.
Also, breast...
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+2
Reduction Mamoplasty requires surgery but sometimes it can be done with liposuction.
While the best way to get not only a reduction in the size of your breast but also a lift and reshaping of your breasts is with one of several surgical techniques. These include either superior or inferior pedicle techniques which require incisions around the nipple areola complex and down the breast from the nipple and often an incision under the breast. In the past few years the use of suction lipectomy has become a reasonable alternative to reduce the size of the breast with only small...
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Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non Surgical Breast Reduction
Non Surgical breast reduction techniques are beginning to be marketed. The reliability and efficacy of these treatments have been questioned. Until there is more of a reliable history, you would be best to avoid.
+1
Breast Reduction - Non Surgical Breast Reduction
In a word - no. At present, there is no non-surgical method (at least, I am not aware of any!) that will come close to what you are requesting. And, of course, that even makes sense - who would go through the surgery if there were a non-surgical alternative?
I hope that this helps, and good luck,
Dr. E
+1
Non-Surgical Breast Reduction?
Thank you for the question.
Unfortunately, there is no nonsurgical means of breast reduction surgery ( despite many claims made by people selling pills, creams, and “miracle” technology).
If you're considering the procedure, consult with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Best wishes.
+1
No, some type of surgery would be required.
Liposuction can be used to remove some fatty tissue from a breast but liposuction is surgery with all the possible complications of any surgery.
+1
Breast Reduction without surgery is possible
For some women their breasts are composed of a large percentage of fat as well as glandular breast tissue. In these cases, many women experience a decrease in their breast size when they lose weight.
For other women whose breasts are primarily glandular tissues, a breast reduction surgery is needed.
To learn more, I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. You may find additional information on my MommyMakeoverSite.com or...
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+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
Short of losing weight, there is no non-surgical breast reduction. Even with weight loss, some of my breast reduction patients told me that they had maintained their breast size. I think it depends on one's breast fatty composition. Surgical options for breast reduction are liposuction and removing the excess breast skin and tissue. Liposuction can be done to decrease breast size by 1 or 2 cup sizes; however, its result will depend on your breast skin...
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+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
If you lose enough weight your breast size will probably decrease. Other than weight loss there are no non-surgical methods of breast reduction. One of the newer methods of decreasing breast side is liposuction. However, liposuction alone will not tighten the skin or change the position of the nipple. Traditional breast reductions can be performed through a variety of scar patterns. Consultation with h a qualified plastic surgeon would clarify your options.
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+1
Short scar breast reduction
The only way to lift and reduce is with a reduction.there are several kinds some preserve breast feeding,nearly all preserve sensation.why not consider a short scar brazilian or french reduction?
if skin toine is lipo with specila small tubes can work well
Cap Lesesne, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1
No magic pill or lotion to make breasts smaller
There is NO nonsurgical way to make breasts smaller (unless you count weight loss and have breasts with a great deal of fatty component).
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non-invasive breast reduction--NO real options
Since most adult breasts are 80% fat, liposuction (which is still a surgery -- although minimally invasive) is a possibility. It will reduce the size of the breasts but not lift them very much, if at all. Weight loss might similarly help reduce breast size. Alas, these options do not deliver the results that a surgical "short scar" surgical breast reduction might deliver.
Navin K. Singh, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non surgical breast reduction
The short answer is no. Some have touted liposuction to make the breast smaller. One must really be the ideal candidate, (skin that will retract, no droop, etc). Even that counts as surgery, (making an incision, manipulating tissue, etc).
I would see a board certified plastic surgeon. It can be helpful to take photos of what size you might want to be. together you can have a plan to achieve your goals.
Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
In theory the breast can be made somewhat smaller with some of the newer non-surgical techniques that melt the fat, such as "cold lasers", ultrasound, etc. But in reality the result would be minimal, and only in patients with fatty breasts.
In a well selecgted patients, meaningful breast reduction can be performed with a very specific liposuction technique. For the great majority of patients needing breast reduction only a well planned and executed surgery will...
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+1
Breast reduction without surgery
A simple answer is no. Some might advocate liposuction but the result would be poor because the skin envelope will be too large for the remaining skin. It is like losing weight and having a suit that is now too large. Without a tailor, it will never fit correctly.
Gary H. Manchester, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Reduction without surgery
Some patients may attain a significant reduction in breast size through weight loss and exercise, or by stopping hormone use. Liposuction is a fairly non-invasive method to reduce fatty breasts, and may result in significant reduction in patients with good skin tone and fatty breasts. For most patients, meaningful breast reduction requires surgery. Many new techniques include reduced scars.
+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
Liposuction can be used to reduce breast size in a few patients who have very good skin elasticity. However, this is a rare occurrence. Other than that there is no way to reduce the breasts non surgically.
Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1
There is no good non-surgical breast reduction
To reduce your breasts as much as you want to and look good, you need a breast reduction which will reduce the size of the breasts, equalize asymmetries, lift the breasts, and improve breast shape. Non-surgical weight loss may reduce your breast size, but the appearance will most likely be unsatisfactory.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to reduce the breasts non-surgically. Liposuction is less invasive, but does not address the excess skin and droopiness that is often involved with enlarged breasts. Breast reduction surgery allows for reduction of the size of the breasts and returning the breasts no a more attractive position. Most patients are very happy with their results after surgery, and often say that they can't believe they waited so long.
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Dustin L. Reid, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non-surgical breast reduction involves weight loss
There is no reliable non-surgical option for breast reduction - weight loss will contribute to some reduction in breast volume, but the extent of reduction is unreliable. Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical option which is effective.
Breast reduction is an extremely effective operation - in terms of both patient satisfaction and surgical results. Ask yourself why you are not interested in this procedure.
+1
Non surgical breast reduction
Yes, you can reduce the size of your breasts nonsurgically.
Breasts are made up of breast tissue and fat. Two things come to mind which will reduce your breast size without surgery:
1. Lose weight. Particularly if you are overweight, losing weight will reduce the size of your breast.
2. Breastfeeding. It doesnt' happen for everyone. Some women stay the same size, and some swear they are larger afterwards, but the general trend I see is loss of volume after breast feeding,...
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Lauren Greenberg, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non surgical breast reduction does not exist.
A breast reduction requires surgery. Four things are generally accomplished with a breast reduction: reduction of areola diameter, reposition of the nipple and areola, reduction of volume, and removal of excess skin. Only an operation will accoomplish this.
+1
Non-surgical breast reduction
There are no truly effective methods for non-surgical breast reduction. Minimally invasive reduciton can be accomplished with liposcution but this does not treat widely dospaced breasts.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
There is only surgical breast reduction
A breast reduction is a true excess skin and gland. Excision or at least liposuction is required for the correction of this excess tissue. Non surgical e.g pills or other treatments will not be enough.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Liposuction for breast reduction
I have not seen a totally non-surgical option that works in reducing breast size. In some patients, liposuction offers a good alternative with minimal scarring. However, liposuction alone will not lift the breasts. Good luck.
Dean Fardo, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
Non surgical breast reduction
Breast tissue is composed of breast parenchyma that is hormone dependent, and fat that is metabolism dependent. The latter is responsive to weight loss and breast size may decrease with weight loss. There are options for less invasive breast reduction which include liposuction alone or liposuction with short scar reduction.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Losing weight for breast reduction
There are some patients whose breast size is directly related to their weight. So, the only non-surgical method for breast reduction would be weight loss. Other patients' weight has no relationship with their weight. Their breast size stays the same even if they lose weight. Those patients will benefit extremely from a breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction patients are some of the happiest due to the life changing surgery. They have less back and neck pain, they appear more...
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Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Losing weight will also reduce breasts
Hello,
Losing weight tends to made breasts smaller, but they tend to droop unattractively as well with too much weight loss. It may be possible in years to come to reduce the fat content in the breasts with non-surgical options but these are in the experimental stage as of yet. They may also lead to droopy smaller breasts. We just don't know yet.
+1
Nothing will make your breasts smaller except removing tissue surgically.
Liposuction only breast reduction can make the breasts smaller in the right patient, and this is scarless surgery, but it is surgery none the less.
Women tend to be quite happy after breast reduction, and the recovery is fairly easy. You just need to be motivated.
+1
Not likely
There are some non-invasive body contouring procedures that are "still in the pipeline." There are devices that are being used in Europe for body contouring that are not yet approved in the US that have been used instead of liposuction to reduce overall girth. That be said if this product becomes available, it would most liekly reduce some of the fat content in the breast if possible. However, just like liposuctioning of the breast, there will be no control to tighten the skin...
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+1
Volume vs. shape
You can possibly deflate the breast with liposuction if a significant percentage of the excess volume is fat rather than dense glandular tissue. But this technique doesn't allow much shaping. In order to shape the remaining volume, you have to do surgery on the gland itself or on the skin, both of which require varying degrees of scars.
+1
The only way is with surgery
There is no way I know that can reduce a breast 2 cup sizes without surgery. Remember, liposuction IS surgery, not just a "procedure." The disadvantage of liposuction exclusively for breast reduction is that the drooping of the breast is not addressed. In a true breats reduction, the breast is not only made smaller, but it is also lifted to look more toned and youthful. Unfortunately, this requires scars, but if properly done, breast reduction patients will almost always...
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