A lumpectomy removes only the tumor and the area around the tumor, generally leaving the skin, nipple, and areola intact. In significantly large breasted women, a large tumor can sometimes be removed with a lumpectomy using oncoplastic techniques such as a lift and reduction where tissue is remodeled to form a natural breast. This is generally called a lumpectomy with reduction mammoplasty.

Often a balancing procedure is done on the unaffected breast to ensure the best aesthetic outcome.  This can take the form of a lift or a reduction.  This is what we call sculpting the other breast – it helps create symmetry on both sides.