Over the many years since breast reduction surgery was first described, a variety of techniques have been used. Most often, the techniques begin with designing and drawing a "pattern" on the breasts before surgery begins. The nipple's new position is marked. When surgery begins, an "anchor-shaped or upside down T" incision that circles the areola, proceeds downward, and then along the fold beneath the breast is made. Surplus skin, fatty tissue, and excess glandular breast tissue are removed.

The operation is designed to preserve the blood supply of the nipple and areola on the newly reduced and shaped breast tissue. The skin is then brought back together with numerous fine stitches. The necessary amount of excess breast tissue and skin are removed, nipple/areolar position altered, the breast lifted, and the wounds then closed.

Sometimes, when the breasts are very large and stretched, where the distance the nipple must be moved is very great, the nipple is purposely removed and grafted to its new position. When this is done, nipple/areolar feeling and breast-feeding options are lost.

Liposuction is sometimes used to do some final shaping or remove breast tissue located under the armpits (so-called "axillary breast tissue"). Occasionally, where a limited amount of tissue needs removal, in a new surgical procedure, it may be possible to use liposuction alone to reduce the breast without skin removal. This is particularly interesting because of the limited scarring that results. Unfortunately, its applicability is limited.

Locations – This surgery may be performed as either an outpatient or in-patient. But many of Dr. Grossman's patients prefer to spend the night after surgery in our luxury suites in Denver.

Anesthesia – General anesthesia (complete sleep) is the usual choice. However, under occasional circumstances, a form of regional anesthesia called "thoracic epidural" may be used.