There are multiple approaches to reducing the breasts. The simplest is liposuction. With liposuction, the fat in and around the breast is removed with a small liposuction cannula that is placed through very small (less than 5 mm) incisions. The liposuction breast reduction technique, however, is a very limited method for breast reduction for two basic reasons. The first reason is that the primary bulk and volume of most breasts comes from the glandular breast tissue. This tissue is very dense and thick and cannot be removed with a liposuction cannula. The second limitation is that liposuction does not treat or reduce the excess breast skin. In most women with significant breast enlargement, the skin is stretched and excessive. To reshape the breasts nicely, this excess skin must be removed and the remaining skin must be carefully tailored. Therefore, "liposuction-only" breast reduction can only be considered in women needing a small reduction in volume and no changes in the breast skin.
