Is liposuction common practice for a breast reduction?

Hi Kiki! Liposuction to the breasts in lieu of a breast reduction is not a common practice. Contour abnormalities and loose skin after liposuction add to the unpredictability of this procedure. A breast reduction is the better option to reduce the volume of your breasts. I always include liposuction to the lateral breasts and armpit areas in addition to a breast reduction to maximize the contour of the torso, but not isolated liposuction. I highly encourage you to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in surgery of the breast and body to hear your concerns and come up with a plan to reach our goals. Best of luck!

Yes, liposuction can be used to reduce breast size in women, especially when the breasts are composed mostly of fatty tissue and there is minimal sagging. It's less invasive than traditional breast reduction surgery and leaves smaller scars. However, it’s not suitable for everyone and is less common than standard reduction methods. Erman AK, Dr. MD, Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon

Liposuction for breast reduction is not suitable for many patients , and most breasts will necessitate traditional breast reduction surgery versus liposuction. Women whose breasts have more glandular tissue in comparison to fat tissue are good candidates for breast reduction surgery than liposuction.

Liposuction can indeed be used to reduce breast size, but it is less commonly employed as the primary method for breast reduction. It is most effective for women with a higher proportion of fatty tissue in their breasts, as liposuction targets fat rather than glandular or fibrous tissue. It can remove fat, particularly from the outer areas of the breast or along the chest wall, which may improve contour and reduce size by about one cup size or more. However, liposuction is not ideal for everyone. It is often used as an adjunct to traditional breast reduction surgery when there is a need for shaping or contouring after the larger volume is reduced through more conventional methods. It also doesn't address sagging or reposition the nipple, so it's more suitable for women whose breasts are not too droopy. For those with less fat or more glandular tissue, or for those seeking more significant reductions or lift, traditional breast reduction surgery remains the more common and reliable option.


Dr. Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS
Harvard, Johns Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Educated
Double Fellowship Trained
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
New York, New York


ABOUT DR. VYAS
Dr. Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS, is a highly trained plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery and breast surgery, including breast augmentation, reduction, lifts, and gender-affirming surgery (such as chest masculinization and feminization). With advanced training from institutions like Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins, Dr. Vyas is recognized for his expertise in breast and chest sensory nerve restoration. His PhD in clinical and translational science focused on stem cells, fat grafting, and improving outcomes in aesthetic surgery and breast surgery. Dr. Vyas has served on the editorial board for several medical journals and platforms and has over 200 research papers and talks. His research focuses on aesthetic surgery, regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, fat grafting, breast surgery, and gender-affirming surgery. Recognized for his expertise, Dr. Vyas was appointed an Instructor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic and served as an Assistant in Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Depending on your anatomy and expectations, yes, it can be done. But it is by far the less performed procedure for breast reduction. Liposuction of the breast is particularly helpful for those who have had a reduction before, the shape and nipple position are good, so the volume reduction works well. The nice think about liposuction is that it can be done with a light oral sedation and local tumescent anesthesia with minimal scarring. See attached reference for an example. Thank you.

Thank you for your query. Liposuction can certainly be done to reduce the size of breasts especially for mature breasts where the fat to gland ratio is more. Usually one cup size or more can be reduced. It does not, however, tighten or lift the breasts unless combined with non-surgical skin tightening and also liposuction may not be suitable for very young breasts where there is less fat and more glands. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

Dear kiki94,
liposuction can sometimes be used for removal of extra fat tissue from breasts. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Liposuction can be done for breast reduction but it will not reduce more than one cup size and it is mostly done when patients have firm and not droopy breasts. Liposuction makes breasts softer (deflated balloon).
It can however be done on the lateral chest to give breasts a better contour.

Yes, liposuction is a technique that can be used to reduce the size of a breast. However, it is only effective at reducing the fatty component of the breast, and is less effective at reducing the glandular (more fibrous) component. In isolation, it will not reduce the skin envelope or enable re-positioning of the nipple. It can be a useful adjunct to reduce excess fatty tissue at the lateral aspect of the breast (on the chest wall) when combined with a standard breast reduction technique.

Liposuction is usually used for the areas around the breasts where there is excess fat to improve the quality of the result of the breast reduction. Breast parenchyma is firm and rubbery and does not liposuct at all. However, fat within the breast can be liposucted.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.