THE NEWEST AND BEST BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE: "LOBR"
By Peter B. Fodor, M.D., FACS 
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles, California

A typical breast reduction/lift procedure will reduce the total size of the breasts as well as lift the breast tissue. For some patients the breasts can also be lifted without much (if any) volume reduction. Individual patient pre-operative evaluation, like breast shape, size, skin thickness, skin envelope to glandular content ratio, etc. are all important factors to consider upon selecting a given surgical technique. Most patients, however, do not realize that there are quite a large number of breast reduction and lift techniques to choose from now--more so than for any other type of aesthetic surgery.  In many instances, a very pleasing result can be obtained through a number of different approaches, but with complications or side effects that are mainly due to the long incisions necessary with the traditional methods of breast reduction or lift. Even though (in recent years) limited incision pattern techniques have been gaining popularity, most surgeons will generally agree that the postoperative breast shape may be compromised when the scar length is reduced. 

As of late, however, there has been a significant contribution made towards the use of liposuction or “Lipoplasty Only Breast Reduction” (LOBR) for breast reduction. In my opinion, LOBR is probably the most minimally invasive of all reduction procedures, but surprisingly enough, it is still highly underutilized. Rapid recovery, undetectable scars, no sensory changes and the ability to continue to breast feed are some of the major advantages of having the LOBR procedure done. While some patients may not be candidates for this type of breast reduction surgery, there are many more patients who are candidates than realized.  

In those patients whose nipple/areola position is not sufficiently improved through LOBR, a lift procedure of a lesser magnitude (than previously would have been deemed necessary) can be carried out at a later time. However, in my experience, this happens much less often than anticipated. LOBR also serves well for older patients who have certain health issues or for those who have other reasons for not selecting breast reduction surgery and who should or need to have the procedure done. Older patients may also prefer to have this smaller non-invasive operation even at the expense of residual droopiness. The only real significant disadvantage of LOBR is that, in most instances, medical insurance companies do not provide coverage. However, in most cases, breast reduction surgery---especially the LOBR procedure, has far reaching benefits aesthetically as well as functionally and is associated with a very high patient satisfaction rate.   Fodor, Peter B.; “Suction Mammaplasty: The Use of Suction Lipectomy to Reduce Large Breasts” – Discussion - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Vol. 105, No. 7; 2608-2610, June 2000