Breast Reduction

Women with very large, sagging breasts tend to have neck, back and shoulder pain. Patients find that breast reduction surgery greatly benefits their life. Patients not only have relief from their symptoms but also the ability to exercise better, wear more fitting clothes and many have psychological benefits. Of all surgeries that cosmetic surgeons perform, breast reduction ranks among the highest in patient satisfaction. Patients of most any age may have breast reduction surgery, however, most surgeons recommend waiting until after breasts have fully developed. Breast reduction surgery is not recommended for those women who intend to breast-feed.

You may be a good candidate for breast reduction if you have any of the following problems:

• neck, back or shoulder pain
• shoulder notching / furrowing from your bra strap
• heavy, sagging breasts
• breasts that are too large for your body size
• irritation and rash beneath your breasts
• difficulty with exercise and physical activities due to large heavy breasts
• one breast that is larger than the other creating a significant asymmetry

During Breast Reduction surgery, fatty tissue in the breast, along with glandular tissue and excess skin are removed. By removing these elements, the breast can be pulled tighter making them lighter, smaller and firmer. Breast Reduction surgery is performed under a general anesthesia, and usually takes between 2 to 4 hours to complete.

After your surgery you will wear a surgical bra for approximatly 2 to 6 weeks. Your recovery period is generally 2 weeks during which time you will gradually resume your usual activities. This procedure may be covered by insurance and this will be discussed at your consultation. The scars seen in the photos are taken 6 weeks after surgery. Over a full year the scars greatly fade. When my patients see their final before and after photos, they most often exclaim, "look how much thinner I look!" Lifting and reducing the breasts reveals a waistline that had long been hidden.