Breast reduction surgery is performed as a day procedure within a hospital facility, under general anaesthesia. The procedure takes about 3 hours.

The usual reduction involves a “breast lift”. The most common surgical technique involves an anchor-shaped 3 part incision. The first incision is made around the nipple area (areola), and another is made vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast. The third incision is horizontal beneath the breast and follows the breast's natural curve. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast. Areola size may also be reduced at the same time so that the nipple size is more suited to the new smaller breasts.