Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, involves removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from the chest area. This helps individuals achieve smaller or more proportionate breasts.Consult with a professional plastic surgeon today to determine if breast reduction surgery is right for you.

Why Patients Choose Breast Reduction Surgery

Overly large breasts often cause physical and mental discomfort and can even harm the women who have them. The size and weight of large breasts also result in self-consciousness, improper posture, pain in the back and neck, indentations from bra straps, skin rashes, breathing problems, and skeletal deformities. Breast reduction surgery is usually done to provide physical relief from these symptoms. Other reasons for choosing this surgery include:

• Emotional factors: Some individuals experience body image dissatisfaction or clothing anxiety due to overly large breasts.
• Lifestyle limitations: Heavy breasts make it difficult to perform high-impact activities like running and jumping. They can also affect sleep patterns due to their excessive weight or positioning. 
• Long-term wellness complications: Some individuals want to avoid worsening posture over time, reduce strain on joints, or support a more active lifestyle. 

Breast reduction surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon to help relieve these symptoms. Along with providing relief from the excessive weight, a reduction mammoplasty also provides the opportunity for the surgeon to make the area more proportionate. If your comfort and daily functioning are affected by your large breast size, talk with a plastic surgeon at Somerset Plastic Surgery. 

Ideal Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is often recommended for individuals who have ongoing physical pain or discomfort due to breast size. Candidates should have good overall health and complete breast development, since future growth will affect the results. Smoking or uncontrolled medical conditions have the potential to increase surgical risks and should be addressed before proceeding with the surgery. Breast reduction surgery is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed, since many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples are removed. Surgeons also evaluate factors like skin elasticity, breast composition, and overall body proportions. 

What Breast Reduction Surgery Involves

Performed under general anesthesia, the two- to four-hour procedure removes fat and glandular tissue and trims resultant excess skin to produce smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body. Incisions are made to access the underlying tissue, and the nipple and areola are often repositioned by the plastic surgeon to a more natural-looking location. The remaining breast tissue is reshaped to improve the contours and symmetry of the area. Breast reduction surgery can also be combined with liposuction; this helps remove fat deposits that incisions are not able to address. Although incisions are necessary for the procedure, your plastic surgeon will place them carefully to help minimize scarring. After the surgery is complete, your medical team places sutures and sometimes uses support garments to help reduce swelling and support healing.

What To Expect After Surgery

After surgery, patients are often monitored for a period of time before being discharged. The plastic surgery team will provide clear aftercare instructions; they will make sure that all dressings are on properly to support and protect the surgical area during the early healing stages. Patients should plan in advance to have a friend or family member drive them home from the clinic, as they may feel drowsy from the aftereffects of the anesthesia. 

Slight bruising, swelling, and feelings of tightness in the area are common immediately after breast reduction surgery. The body is adjusting to changes in tissue and structure, so temporary symptoms, like feelings of numbness or tingling, can occur. Avoid excessive movement and activities that will strain the upper body. While light daily activities like walking may be resumed gradually, avoid strenuous tasks until the body has had more time to heal. 

Incision sites require ongoing care. The plastic surgery team will provide patients with specific instructions. Such post-op instructions may include avoiding showers or swimming pools for several days following the procedure to prevent infection. Patients also get information on how to keep the area clean and when to change the dressings. As recovery continues, the swelling will reduce, and the breasts will settle into their new shape. Plastic surgeons also provide information on symptoms to watch out for; if the patient notices any unusual signs, like redness or fluid drainage, they should reach out to their surgeon for guidance. 

Enjoy Results From Your Plastic Surgery

The team at Somerset Plastic Surgery is able to perform breast reduction surgery, along with breast lifts, augmentation, and reconstruction. Depending on your physical goals, our team will recommend the appropriate procedure. We also offer services like facelifts, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, and more. Contact our team today to learn about the benefits of breast reduction surgery and how you can get started.