Overly large breasts can cause discomfort and lead to a variety of health problems. Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) reduces the size of the breasts to enhance comfort and better balance out your body frame. Some patients choose to have a breast reduction for purely aesthetic reasons; however, others find it necessary in aiding physical or medical concerns. Overly large breasts can cause neck pain, back pain, skin rashes, and discomfort while performing daily activities.
Overly large breasts can make daily activities challenging for some women to perform. Large breasts also make it more difficult to find properly fitting clothing that matches both the bust and the waist. Breast reduction reduces cumbersome breasts to a more comfortable size.
While many women desire larger breasts that can be achieved with breast augmentation surgery, others develop oversized breasts that may not be cosmetically pleasing. Breast reduction surgery works by removing excess breast tissue to minimize breast size.
Overly large breasts can take a toll on a woman’s physicality. The excess weight of the breasts can contribute to neck and back pain, making exercise more difficult and uncomfortable. A breast reduction alleviates pain and eases the ability to participate in physical activity by minimizing the weight of the breast.
Before your procedure, you will be provided with a list of instructions to follow. It is important to follow these guidelines to ensure your safety during and after the procedure. Please plan to take adequate time to recover and arrange for someone to drive you to and from our office.
Breast reduction is nearly always performed under general anesthesia for your comfort and safety.
Breast reduction incisions will be based on your body type and the extent of tissue to be removed. We will do a thorough examination to determine which incision is best for your needs. Common incision placements include:
A physical health evaluation may be necessary to determine which type of incision you will benefit most from. Most women benefit most from the anchor incision, as this allows for the significant removal of tissue.
After the incision is made, excess tissue, fat, and skin are removed from the breasts. The remaining breast tissue is tightened, and the areolas are resized. Incisions are closed with removable sutures.
Breast reduction recovery varies depending on the patient but often follows this general timeline.
Your breasts may be swollen and bruised for a few days following your breast reduction. You will still have bandages and gauze on your breasts to protect the incisions and reduce swelling. Any additional pain or discomfort can be combated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
The bandages and gauze on your breasts will be removed after a few days. You will be given a surgical bra to protect your breasts throughout the healing process. It is important to wear this bra at all times (except in the shower) to ensure proper healing. By week two, your bruising should start to go down. Please refrain from any strenuous activity during this time.
The surgical bra may still be necessary to ensure proper healing. Daily activities (including physical exercise) can be resumed.
Once you have healed, you will notice smaller, more comfortable breasts. Back and neck pain will be significantly reduced, and clothing will begin to fit better since you will have a more balanced frame. Daily activities will be more comfortable to perform.
General anesthesia will be used to ensure comfort during the surgery. You may feel pain and soreness for a few days after your surgery, but prescription pain medication can help alleviate this.
The severity of scarring will depend on the incision chosen and the patient’s healing capabilities and predisposition to scarring. Incisions will be placed in discrete areas, and scars fade over time.
You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
Breast reduction costs will depend on your specific needs and body type. Financing programs, such as CareCredit®, may be offered to assist with the cost of your surgery. You will be given an accurate cost estimate during your consultation with Dr. Bridges.
Breast reduction takes approximately two hours to perform. The exact length of the surgery will depend on your surgical plan and whether additional surgery is being performed in combination with your reduction.
Many procedures can be combined with breast reduction surgery to achieve your ideal look. Combining a breast lift with breast reduction is common and can help you achieve perkier, firmer breasts while reducing them to a more comfortable size.
Other procedures commonly combined with breast reduction include:
Breast reduction is considered a safe procedure with minimal threat of complications; however, no surgery comes without risk. Potential complications may include: