Breast reduction in Berlin – Your expert from the capital
When it comes to plastic-aesthetic breast surgery, most people first think of breast augmentation. Many women desire larger breasts that are in harmony with their other body proportions. Worldwide and also in Germany, breast augmentations lead the ranking of cosmetic surgeries. However, very large breasts can also become a psychological, but also a physical burden.
A breast reduction ensures that affected women feel comfortable with their body again. During this operation, the plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fatty tissue. In some cases, breast lift and areola reduction are also performed. The result is smaller, lighter, and firmer breasts.
In my specialist practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery, I use various surgical procedures for breast reductions – the individual circumstances of the patient determine the chosen method. Within the scope of medical possibilities, I will, of course, tailor the procedure to your personal wishes. For me, an aesthetic and sustainable result is important even with a breast reduction, so that you can fully enjoy your body and thus your life again.
Are you also looking for a practice in Berlin that will give you back your self-confidence through a breast reduction? Then contact me, I look forward to your visit!
- Duration of the procedure
- Depending on the technique and extent of the procedure, between two and four hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Clinic stay
- One night
- Socially presentable
- After one to two weeks
- Able to work
- After at least one week, up to two weeks for strenuous physical activities
- Sports
- After four to six weeks
- Wound healing
- Two to three weeks, sutures are removed after wound healing is complete
- Costs
- Depending on the extent of the operation, from 7,000 Euros
- Aftercare
- Wearing a compression bandage in the first few days after the surgical procedure, wearing a sports bra for four weeks, scar care, regular follow-up appointments at the practice in Berlin in the first few weeks after breast reduction
A breast reduction in my Berlin practice begins with one or more consultations, which serve to prepare for the procedure. One week before the planned surgery date, you should not take any blood-thinning medication. You should also avoid or reduce alcohol and nicotine consumption as much as possible during this time. After a preliminary discussion immediately before the procedure, I will first mark the incision lines on your breasts with a body pen. Afterwards, you will receive general anesthesia from me and an experienced anesthesiologist – the anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your condition throughout the entire operation. The specific course of the breast reduction depends on the extent of the procedure and the surgical method. The wounds are sutured with fine threads under the skin. Depending on the material of the threads, they are either absorbed by the body or removed on an outpatient basis after two to three weeks. Drains, which remain on the breast for one to two days, support the drainage of wound fluid. The breasts are supported immediately after the operation by a tight bandage, which you can later replace with a medical support bra or a sports bra. You can leave the clinic after one day.
Like any other surgical procedure, breast reduction is associated with certain risks. These include, for example, post-operative bleeding, infections, and wound healing disorders. In general, however, breast reduction is a low-risk procedure. Individual risks – for example, due to pre-existing conditions or medications – will be clarified with you in a personal discussion prior to the operation. As an experienced specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I possess all the expertise to minimize surgical risks and largely rule out complications. You also make a significant contribution by adhering to my recommendations for preparing for the operation and the necessary aftercare.
In the first few days after breast reduction, you may experience feelings of tension and pain in the breasts – medication helps to prevent prolonged pain. Swelling and bruising usually subside quickly. After the bandages are removed, you will wear a support bra day and night for four weeks. You can shower at the latest two to three days after the procedure. Sauna visits and tub baths are possible again after about two months. Strenuous physical activities and sports activities, including heavy strain and jerky movements of the upper arms, should be avoided for at least four weeks, and you should also sleep on your back as much as possible during this time. The sensitivity of the nipples is initially reduced after a breast reduction and only returns over several months. After the completion of immediate wound healing, you can support the healing process through massages and appropriate skin and scar care. Sunbathing is taboo for about six months to rule out scar pigmentation. In the first few weeks after a breast reduction, you will come to my practice in Berlin for several individual follow-up appointments.
Breast Reduction in Berlin – for more individual well-being
There are various reasons for wanting a breast reduction – in medical terms, mammareduction or mammareduction plasty. Firstly, overly large breasts often cause physical discomfort. The spine can be heavily burdened by this. Tension and poor posture can lead to pain. Some women unconsciously tend to stoop forward to conceal breasts they perceive as too large, which can lead to permanent postural damage and wear and tear on the spine. For example, women with very large breasts have an increased risk of suffering a herniated disc.
Another accompanying symptom is skin irritation in the inframammary fold, which promotes inflammation and infections. In addition, large breasts often tend to sag even at a young age. Impairments in everyday life are significant, for example, during sports or physically demanding activities. Added to this are psychological burdens, which for many women are the most important reason for a breast reduction: they feel stared at and reduced to their body shape by others – with negative consequences for their personal body image, their self-confidence, and in some cases also for their partnership.
A breast reduction can sustainably solve all these problems. Affected women who opt for this operation can expect their overall body feeling and psychological well-being to improve. Breast reductions are performed not only for aesthetic reasons but often also due to medical indications. In these cases, the costs are covered by health insurance companies.
A breast reduction can be performed at any age. The only important thing is that body growth is complete and the breasts are fully developed. A breast reduction should only be performed by a plastic and aesthetic surgeon who has completed appropriate specialist training and has extensive experience with breast surgical procedures. Originally from Italy, living in Berlin for many years, I run my own practice in the capital with great pride and convince my patients with professional results.
What results can be achieved with a breast reduction?
The result of a breast reduction is smaller, firmer, and more toned breasts. The extent to which the breast is reduced depends on the individual circumstances of the patient. You will get a first impression of the result of the breast reduction immediately after the procedure. The final result is usually visible after six months at the latest, along with the completion of the healing process.
The result of a breast reduction lasts for at least ten years – however, many patients can expect a significantly longer period. However, the operation cannot prevent the natural aging process. Future pregnancies also take their toll on the size and texture of the breast – skin and breast glandular tissue can become saggier as a result. A second operation is fundamentally possible. Most likely, the focus will primarily be on breast lift.
Surgical methods and incisions for a breast reduction
A breast reduction is a multi-hour procedure. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of the correction and the surgical method used, it takes between two and four hours. Excess fat and breast glandular tissue and usually also skin are removed from the lower part of the breasts. The surgeon then forms a new breast contour from the upper part of the mammary gland. The nipples are usually pulled upwards together with nerves and blood vessels, so that their sensitivity and – if there is a desire to have children – usually also the ability to breastfeed are preserved without compromise. In some cases, the nipples and areolas are also reduced during the operation.
There are various surgical methods for breast reduction, which differ primarily in terms of their incision technique. Which incision technique is used depends on the individual circumstances of the patient and also her wishes regarding the size and shape of the breasts. In principle, the aim is to perform a breast reduction with as few incisions as possible and thus with minimal scarring. A breast reduction can optionally be combined with a breast augmentation, especially if there is a desire for more volume in the décolleté area. Breast augmentation is performed with breast implants or with autologous fat (lipofilling).
Lejour method (I-method, mushroom or vertical method)
The Lejour method enables a breast reduction with particularly few incisions. It is particularly suitable when a breast lift is also to be performed in addition to the reduction. Here, the incision runs around the nipple and then vertically downwards to the inframammary fold. Along the vertical incision, the skin is tightened and, if necessary, excess skin is removed. If the amount of breast tissue to be removed is significantly smaller, an incision in the nipple area is sometimes sufficient for a satisfactory result.
T-incision (Strömbeck method) and L-method
The T-incision is primarily used for very large and/or very saggy breasts. In addition to the incision of the Lejour method, another horizontal incision is made in the inframammary fold below the vertical incision. This allows more tissue to be removed and a more beautiful breast shape to be achieved. The nipples are repositioned while preserving the blood and nerve pathways. If a large amount of tissue is to be removed by breast reduction, a so-called free transplantation of the nipples may be necessary when using this technique. The nipples are detached from their original blood vessels and nerve pathways. This can lead to limitations in sensitivity. The ability to breastfeed is not preserved with this form of breast reduction. In practice, this procedure is rarely used, only if a satisfactory result cannot be achieved with another method.
The L-method represents a further development of the T-incision. The incision in the inframammary fold is made in only one direction – outwards. Depending on the nature of the breast, an L-incision can also be combined with a smaller T-incision.
Hall-Findlay method
The Hall-Findlay method is suitable for almost all breast sizes and breast contours. The nipples are not freely transplanted, but are moved together with a so-called pedicle of breast glandular and fatty tissue. A separation of blood vessels and nerves is not performed, so that sensitivity and the ability to breastfeed are preserved. The incision is made around the nipple, and tissue is removed at the point where the pedicle was previously taken. Like the Lejour method, this surgical technique is particularly scar-sparing and enables excellent results in terms of breast size and breast contour.
Breast Reduction in Berlin – comprehensive consultation, individual aftercare
Like any other breast surgery, breast reduction is a sensitive topic for my patients. Such an intervention requires a great deal of trust in the treating surgeon. In my specialist practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery in Berlin, an individual, relaxed, and personal atmosphere is therefore important to me throughout the entire treatment process.
The first step to a breast reduction in my practice is a detailed consultation. During this appointment, I get to know your expectations and wishes, as well as your personal motives for the breast reduction. After a thorough anamnesis and the subsequent physical examination, I will give you recommendations on the surgical procedure and create an individual treatment plan for you. Of course, I will also point out the limitations and possible risks of the procedure.
Immediately before the breast reduction, we will discuss the surgical procedure and aftercare again. Naturally, I am available at any time for questions and therapeutic support in the days leading up to the procedure and during the healing process.
I specialized in breast surgeries to a very high degree during my studies and specialist training. Medical and aesthetic excellence are inseparable in my work as a plastic-aesthetic surgeon. I want you to feel confident, beautiful, and completely satisfied with your body after the procedure. Simply visit me in Berlin and make an appointment with me for your breast reduction – and thus also for your step towards self-love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike other plastic-aesthetic breast surgeries - such as breast augmentations - the costs for a breast reduction can be partially or fully covered by health insurance companies if there is a medical indication. This possibility exists whenever the large breasts demonstrably cause significant physical discomfort. Many health insurance companies base their decision on a tissue removal of at least 500 grams per breast. In addition, an application for cost coverage can be successful in cases of postural damage, herniated discs, and significant malformations or asymmetries of the breasts. Psychological reasons, however, are generally not sufficient for cost coverage.
After pregnancy, a breast reduction should only be performed once all associated physical changes have fully regressed. If you are breastfeeding your baby, the optimal time is at the earliest six months after the end of breastfeeding, as your breasts still need time to return to their original state afterwards. It is optimal to plan a breast reduction only after you have completed your family planning, as the operation can impair breastfeeding ability.
Basically, yes. If you are not satisfied with the result of the first breast reduction, a repeat procedure is only possible once the wound healing process is completely finished. In addition, the final surgical result will only be visible then. Generally, the result lasts for a long time. In case of changes in the breasts, follow-up operations are also possible.
In a breast reduction with an "internal bra", excess skin is fixed like a tight belt under the breast, so that the breasts cannot sag. This special technique achieves an optimum of stability and shape.
Contraindications include certain pre-existing conditions and medications that must be taken without interruption. We will clarify possible solutions for these during my medical consultation. The procedure cannot generally be performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
For small breasts or, for example, in case of volume loss due to pregnancy, a breast augmentation can also be performed in the same session as a breast reduction. This can be done with silicone breast implants or with autologous fat (so-called lipofilling).
Do you have questions about breast reduction?
Should you still have any questions, we will be happy to discuss them personally and without obligation in our Berlin practice.