Breast Reduction - Lollipop or Anchor and possible future breastfeeding? (photos)

Question

I'm needing to get a breast reduction done and just wondering what the general consensus on the best method for my shape would be? I have had a consultation with my local PS but did not like his method - anchor scar but absolutely no chance of breastfeeding if we decide to have another child - are there methods that may offer an opportunity to breast feed again if required? I'm 24, 1 pregnancy, 78kg, 159cm tall. Breasts are very top heavy and skin elasticity is good.

Lisa J. Peters, MD · Answer

Any surgery on the breast has the potential to interfere with the ability to breast feed.  If this is your priority, you should wait until you're sure you don't want more children before having breast reduction surgery.  In terms of the technique that would work best for you, I would recommend an anchor incision.  In my hands, that technique gives a better result than the lollipop in patients with your shape.  I'm certain that there are other plastic surgeons who feel like they can give you a good result with a lollipop incision.  I would suggest you meet with several plastic surgeons and review their recommendations and before and after photos.  If you're looking for the lollipop incision, make sure the surgeon you choose can show you lots of before and after photos of women that look like you that have a nice result.  Having a shorter scar is NOT worth it if your size and shape goals aren't met and the scar under the breast in an anchor technique is usually only visible if you lift your breast to look for it.  One other point, the anchor incision does not interfere with the ability to breast feed more than other types of breast reduction.  The only technique that gives a patient "absolutely no chance" of breast feeding afterwards is a free nipple graft during which the nipple and areola are completely removed from the breast then reattached as a skin graft.  I don't think this is necessary in your case, so whether you have a lollipop or anchor technique, you would still have the possibility of being able to breast feed later.

Damien Grinsell MBBS, FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Hi. Firstly if you want to have more kids then try and put off surgery until after you have finished breastfeeding as getting pregnant and breastfeeding again will ruin the results of any type of breast reduction. Secondly there is another technique which I use which is a minimal scar breast reduction with the best scar pattern. It leaves you with a scar around the areola which is difficult to see and a scar under the breast which is hidden. It is called a horizontal breast reduction but you would have to come to melbourne. You can read more below. RegardsDamien

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures. The best way to approach your breast reduction will be with an anchor incision. It will give you the best breast size and shape. If you would like to guarantee the ability to breast-feed if you decide to have another child then it is strongly advisable that you wait having a breast reduction until you complete your family. Best wishes.

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

HiYou should have your Breast Reduction Surgery after you have had kids. This way  you can be certain to breast feed. If the surgery is done after your final pregnancy, then all the breast changes can be corrected with the surgery to give you the results that you would like.A lollipop scar is better than an anchor scar. The vertical limb of the lollipop fades very well and is barely visible at 12 - 18 monthsAll the best

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