The removal of all the breast tissue under the skin of the breast is called a subcutaneous mastectomy. The nipple and areola will be left in place. The breast will usually be flat after the operation.

This type of mastectomy may be used to remove small areas of suspicious or cancerous tissue, but it can also be a cosmetic surgery procedure. For example, subcutaneous mastectomy can reduce the volume of enlarged male breasts or be part of a female-to-male sex-change procedure.