Mastectomy Options

A skin-reducing mastectomy (SRM) is a surgical approach designed for women with larger or more drooping breasts. In this type of mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed while carefully reducing and reshaping the extra skin, leaving a tighter “envelope” for reconstruction. This technique allows surgeons to remove cancer safely and still create a breast shape that looks more natural after reconstruction.

How It Works

During a skin-reducing mastectomy:

• The surgeon removes the breast tissue while preserving enough skin to reshape the chest.

• Extra skin that would otherwise sag or fold is trimmed away.

• The remaining skin is reshaped, often using patterns similar to a breast reduction or lift.

• Reconstruction (usually with implants, tissue expanders, or flaps) is performed at the same time to restore the breast mound.

The end result is a reconstructed breast that is smaller, lifted, and smoother, rather than leaving behind excess skin.

Who May Be a Candidate

Skin-reducing mastectomy is most often recommended for women who:

• Have larger breasts or significant sagging (ptosis).

• Are undergoing mastectomy for cancer treatment or preventive reasons.

• Plan to have immediate reconstruction, either with implants or natural tissue.

Your surgeon will determine if this approach is appropriate based on your breast size, skin quality, and treatment plan.

Benefits of Skin-Reducing Mastectomy

• Better cosmetic outcome for larger breasts: Helps avoid leaving behind excess, sagging skin.

• Lifted, more youthful shape: Combines cancer removal with a breast lift or reduction effect.

• Improved symmetry: When both breasts are treated, they can be reshaped for balance.

• Supports reconstruction: Creates a neater, tighter skin envelope for implants or flap tissue.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Nipple and areola are usually removed: Unless combined with a nipple- or areola-sparing approach, these are not preserved.

• Longer scars: The skin-reducing technique often uses “anchor” or “lollipop” incisions, which leave more visible scars than skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomies.

• Not for everyone: Women with very small breasts may not need this type of procedure.

• Sensation changes: Like other mastectomies, sensation in the breast and nipple area is usually lost.

Emotional Considerations

For women with larger breasts, skin-reducing mastectomy can feel like a relief—removing cancer while also addressing heaviness, sagging, or discomfort. Some women welcome the lifted, smaller appearance, while others may need time to adjust to changes in shape or scars. Both experiences are normal, and support is available.

A Personal Choice

Skin-reducing mastectomy is about removing what needs to go—while reshaping what remains—so your reconstruction feels smoother, balanced, and more natural to you. It blends the goals of cancer treatment with the benefits of breast reduction and lift techniques, making it especially valuable for women with larger breasts. Like all surgical options, it comes with trade-offs, and the right decision depends on your body, your cancer, and your preferences.