How Does the Breast Reduction Surgery Differ for Low Density Vs. High Density Breasts?

Thank you for the question.  Based on your description of breast size and symptoms associated with the large/low breasts, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery. I do not think that you need to be concerned about the “low versus high” density breast tissue issue,  when it comes to the breast reduction surgery.

 You may be best served achieving a long-term stable weight  (if possible) prior to undergoing breast reduction surgery. Doing so will  help decrease risks associated with the surgery and hopefully prevent the need for additional surgery ( that occasionally becomes necessary when patients lose  significant weight after body contouring procedures).

 Best wishes;  hopefully you will be very pleased with the outcome of the breast reduction procedure. This procedure tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.

Breast reduction surgery is performed the same way no matter what the density of the breasts may be.  Younger women tend to have thicker breast tissue.  As women age, the breast tissue tends to get displaced by fat.  If you are overweight, the loss of weight may be seen in the breasts.  Some women can gain/lose a few pounds and all of it is seen in the breasts and some women can gain/lose twenty or thirty pounds and none of it is seen in the breasts.  You know how your breasts change with weight gain/loss better than anyone.  As for the surgery time, four hours is about right for a breast reduction.  If you are in the hands of a capable plastic surgeon and in an accredited facility then you should be fine with that.

Breast density relates to the amount of parenchyma (breast tissue) versus fat.  Breasst with higher fat components are easier to operate "through" allowing for faster surgical times.  I believe that longevity, projection and general shape are more affected by the technique chosen than anything else, including breast density.  In general vertical mammaplasty techniques provide these advantages over standard Wise Pattern (anchor) procedures. It is not the scar however, but where the breast tissue is resected.  Techniques leaving tissue in the lower portion of the breast have an increased tendency to "bottom out".  Choosing these techniques is patient and surgeon dependent. Talk to your surgeon about what your options are.  Related to weight loss, I often "split the difference" and would recommend losing 15 pounds prior to surgery, then post op exercise will be even easier!