The biggest difference between the two procedures is the amount of skin and tissue removed. Breast reduction can be used to minimize, but not completely eliminate the breasts.  After a breast reduction there will still be ‘cone shaped’ tissue that looks like breast-shaped tissue, even if they are smaller.

Chest reconstruction removes nearly all underlying fat and tissue (including milk producing ducts and glands) to give the appearance of what some would consider a conventionally masculine-looking chest. In some cases, chest reconstruction surgery also entails nipple resizing and relocation.