Breast size isn’t just a matter of aesthetic discomfort for patients. Excessive weight, shoulder pain due to the strain of bra straps, back and waist pain from difficulty standing upright, hygiene issues due to constant contact of the breasts with the chest and abdomen, moisture and chafing, certain skin problems, difficulty finding suitable underwear and clothing, and negative aesthetic appearance are some of the issues that lead patients to seek help from a cosmetic surgeon. Therefore, it’s not surprising that breast reduction surgery offers a high rate of patient satisfaction and improved quality of life.

Many methods are used in breast reduction surgery; however, regardless of the method, the key is good surgical planning, measurement, and drawing, flawlessly executing this plan during surgery, preserving nipple circulation, sensation, and a certain amount of breast tissue, reducing the size to an extent that preserves the vitality of the tissues, and achieving an aesthetically acceptable breast shape.

In our modern techniques, we preserve the nipple, milk ducts, and the breast tissue sufficient for breastfeeding as a whole, along with their sensation, blood circulation, and biological properties. After preserving enough breast tissue to achieve a breast of appropriate size, shape, and form, we remove the skin and soft tissues as determined by preoperative measurements and drawings. Then, after raising this combined tissue, including the nipple, to the predetermined height, we secure it to the front chest wall with sling sutures. Once the central part of the breast is formed in this way, we bring the inner and outer parts together and suture them to create the breast’s shape and form. The incision scars created by this method are in the shape of an inverted “T”. The length of the horizontal leg of the T varies depending on the patient’s breast size.

We apply similar techniques in breast lift surgery, but here, instead of volumetric reduction, we aim for a more compact and upwardly positioned breast by correcting breast sagging. Therefore, we only remove excess skin and subcutaneous soft tissue. We apply shaping and lifting techniques in similar ways. In this surgery, a scar remains in the shape of an inverted “T,” the length of which varies depending on the patient’s breast width and the extent of the skin fold on the outer side. If the breast we are treating also has a volume deficiency and small size, or if it is thought that sufficient size cannot be achieved after breast lift surgery due to tightening, a silicone gel implant of the appropriate size, type, and volume can be placed under the muscle to perform both augmentation and lifting simultaneously. We generally prefer round-shaped implants for these types of surgeries.

After breast reduction and lift surgeries, we expect some loosening and sagging due to gravity; therefore, during treatment, we provide a slightly “extra” upright form of the breast using suturing and shaping methods. The most common cosmetic problem is that the nipple remains in place while the lower pole of the breast droops excessively downwards. To minimize this effect, care must be taken to avoid placing the nipple too high.

The recovery time after these surgeries is quite short. The patient is expected to be able to return to work within a few days, and pain is usually minimal. After a one-day hospital stay, the patient is discharged with instructions to return for a follow-up appointment in one week. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 2-3 weeks, and a compression garment should be worn for 4 weeks. Scars are generally linear and can be well concealed below the bikini line. The scar around the nipple is barely noticeable.