Breast Reduction Procedures
Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right For You?
Women with very large and heavy breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight. Problems may include neck, back and shoulder pain, skin irritation from bra strap indentations in their shoulders, and even skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Yeast rashes under the breasts are quite common. There is usually a decreased ability to exercise, as well. In addition to the physical discomfort, women and teenage girls with unusually large breasts often report feeling self-conscious.
Breast reduction is designed to alleviate these conditions. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The results are intended to give women smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of the body.
Breast Reduction Photos
These breast reduction photos were taken of a patient in San Diego who received breast reduction surgery at Changes Plastic Surgery. Please visit our complete photo gallery of breast reduction procedures.
BEFORE
AFTER
In most cases, breast reduction isn't performed until a woman's breasts are fully developed; however, it can be done earlier if large breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. The best candidates are those who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results.
Because heavy breasts often sag, breast reduction always includes a breast lift. This can give the most beneficial improvement in breast position. Your plastic surgeon can make the best recommendation after an examination.
Potential Risks
The Changes surgeons are board-certified plastic surgeons, and the procedures are performed in a state licensed and Medicare certified surgical center, along with skilled anesthesiologists. These credentials help ensure the highest standards of care and your utmost safety.
As with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications, including bleeding, infection, or reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s advice both before and after surgery.
The procedure does leave noticeable scars, but they usually fade with time. Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers. Future breast-feeding may not be possible, since the surgery removes some of the milk ducts leading to the nipples. There may be an increase or decrease in nipple sensation and slight asymmetry may still be present.
Facility & Anesthesia Options
Breast reduction is generally done on an outpatient basis in our adjacent surgical center. The surgery itself usually takes two to three hours, and the associated pain is minimal.
This procedure is nearly always performed under general anesthesia.
Procedure Description
Techniques for breast reduction vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. Another technique called a “vertical reduction” utilizes a scar around the areola and vertically down to the bottom of the breast. The surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, and moves the nipple and areola into their new position. Liposuction can often be used on the sides of the breast to optimize the result and produce better symmetry. The most significant complication can be loss of the blood supply to the nipple, which happens in less than 5% of the patients.
Occasionally, when only fat needs to be removed, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size, leaving minimal scars.
After surgery, you'll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain blood and fluid for the first day or two.
You may feel some pain for the first couple of days, and some discomfort for a week or more. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to lessen the pain.
The bandages will be removed two days after surgery, though you'll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising subside. Your stitches will be removed in one to two weeks.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day, but be sure to keep the suture area dry.
Returning to Normal
Although you may be up and about in a day or two, your breasts may still ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing anything heavy for three or four weeks.
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. Most women can return to work (if it's not too strenuous) and social activities in about two weeks. But you'll have much less stamina for several weeks, and should limit your exercises to stretching, bending, and swimming until your energy level returns. You'll also need a good athletic bra for support.
You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more, since sexual arousal can cause your incisions to swell, and to avoid anything but gentle contact with your breasts for about six weeks. There may be a small amount of fluid draining from your surgical wound, or some crusting. All of these responses are part of the normal healing process.
Your New Look
Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first few weeks, it may be several months before your breasts settle into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response to your hormonal shifts, weight changes, and pregnancy.
Your surgeon will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. These scars may remain red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.
Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast reduction results in the quickest body-image changes. You'll be rid of the physical discomfort of large breasts, your body will look better proportioned, and clothes will fit you better. These benefits make breast reduction one of the most satisfying procedures in plastic surgery.
Go to our photo gallery of breast reduction procedures.
Patient Testimonial
"You have all been so wonderful! I’d forgotten how it felt to “see” my toes wiggle in the sand. Ha! Ha! To be free of back and neck pain is a blessing indeed and to be guided through the breast reduction process from beginning to end by such a warm, and friendly, professional staff lets me know there are people out there who really care. Dr. Lee is a true artist and healer and will always hold my heart felt thank you." -Linda