While breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery procedure, breast reduction remains a tremendously gratifying and helpful procedure for women who happen to have too much of a good thing. Many women struggle with large breasts and the symptoms that are associated with supporting heavy breasts.
Some of the symptoms of large breasts include:
- shoulder grooving
- neck pain
- back pain
- activity restriction
- difficulty with clothing/bras
- insecurity with the size and prominence of breast size
Breasts reduction surgery can be covered by insurance or can be performed as a cosmetic procedure. There are a variety of breast reduction procedure types to meet the needs of a variety of different size breasts as well as the desired goals of different patients.
My most commonly performed breast reduction procedure is often referred to as a vertical breast reduction. In a vertical breast reduction procedure, there is an incision around the areola, one down the breast, and for my breast reduction cases, often the incision curves gently toward the side of the breasts. In addition to removing breast tissue, a breast reduction also has the goal of lifting and re-shaping the breast into a more youthful and “perky” appearance. Sensation to the areola is maintained, as is the ability to breast feed in the future.
For my breast reduction procedures, the sutures used are all internal and dissolvable. I do not use drains with my breast reduction procedures.
Downtime for breast reduction is about a week in terms of taking time of off most types of work. Resuming exercise takes about 3-4 weeks and most return to full activity without restriction at around six weeks.
Overall, breast reduction patients tend to be some of the most satisfied patients. The combination of relieving neck pain and back pain as well as achieving a more youthful and perky breast shape and appearance results in tremendously happy patients.
