Quick Facts About Breast Reduction
- Principle Benefits: Lighter, perkier, more proportionate breast size; reduction in discomfort associated with over large or heavy breasts; increased confidence.
- Candidates: Women with large, heavy, and/or sagging breasts
- Recovery Timeline: Most patients can return to work within 1-2 weeks, though more strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 3-4 weeks
- Cost: $6,771, based on statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Most patients seek a breast reduction for aesthetic purposes, improved comfort, or a combination of these two reasons. While the reasons behind the decision to pursue breast reduction are personal, Dr. Thomas Lintner, our board-certified plastic surgeon, can tailor the surgery to achieve your treatment goals while producing results that look exceptionally natural. For the right candidate, breast reduction can be a powerful solution to the aesthetic and functional burdens created by overly large breasts.
- What is Breast Reduction?
- Breast Reduction Benefits
- Breast Reduction Candidates
- Breast Reduction and Lift
- Breast Reduction Procedure
- Breast Reduction Recovery
- Breast Reduction Results
- Breast Reduction Scars
- Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction
- Non-surgical Breast Reduction
- Breast Reduction Risks
- Breast Reduction Cost
- Breast Reduction FAQ
What is Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction is designed to create a more proportionate breast size and shape in relation to a patient’s unique figure. This is accomplished by removing excess tissue while tightening and reshaping the remainder—effectively resulting in a smaller, more manageable breast size. In addition to dominating a woman’s appearance, excessive breasts can also cause a number of physical and emotional stressors, including pain in the back, neck, and shoulders; difficulty finding clothing; poor posture; self-consciousness; and skin rashes, among other symptoms. Widely regarded as one of the most rewarding plastic surgery options available, breast reduction can be utilized to alleviate the burdens of large breasts and produce a lighter, more comfortable breast size. Since part of the breast reduction procedure involves eliminating redundant skin and breast tissue, the surgery typically yields the benefits of a breast lift to some extent.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction surgery can offer qualified candidates a more proportionate breast shape and size, as well as a variety of other physical and emotional benefits, such as:
- Relief from neck and shoulder pain
- Improved posture
- Ability to participate in more physical activities
- Boost in self-confidence
- Additional clothing options
- Bra strap marks and/or skin rashes can be eliminated
Many patients state they are also pleased with the added benefit of a lift that breast reduction provides, leading to a more youthful appearance.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?
Excessively large breasts can often lead to physical and/or emotional issues, including chronic pain. Women who experience the negative side effects associated with overly large breasts may be considered candidates for breast reduction. Some signs that breast reduction might be right for you include:
- Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Inability to find properly fitting clothes
- Irritation and pain from bra straps digging into your shoulders
- Unable to participate in certain physical activities, due to breast discomfort
- Difficulty finding comfortable and supportive bras
- Feeling self-conscious of your large breasts and/or having low self-esteem because of them
- Rashes and irritation beneath and between the breasts
In a consultation with Dr. Lintner, he can assess your unique needs, answer any questions you may have, and help you determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Can I Get a Breast Reduction and Lift?
Patients undergoing a breast reduction typically experience a more lifted breast appearance as a natural byproduct of the procedure. Removing a significant amount of excess tissue and skin, reshaping the breasts, and repositioning the nipple helps to elevate the breasts to a more perky, youthful position on the chest wall—providing many of the same benefits as a breast lift. During your consultation, Dr. Lintner can review the specifics of your case and make personalized recommendations based on your needs. This may sometimes involve incorporating a more intentional amount of lifting into the breast reduction procedure, with the ultimate goal of helping you feel like the most comfortable, confident, and beautiful version of yourself.
Every part of my experience was handled with care and professionalism.S.C. Breast Reduction Patient, Macon GA
How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
To ensure the best possible outcome, Dr. Lintner uses the “anchor” incision for breast reduction surgery. This involves an incision that encircles the areola, then travels vertically down the center of the breast from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. A third incision is then made along the inframammary fold, ultimately resulting in what looks like an anchor. This technique is also commonly referred to as an “inverted T” incision. Once incisions have been made, excess tissue and skin can be removed. Next, the nipples and breasts are elevated to a higher position on the chest wall, and incisions are closed. Areola size can be addressed at this time, as well, if desired.
What is Breast Reduction Recovery Like?
After breast reduction surgery, it is best to avoid strenuous activities (including going to the gym) for about three to four weeks. Most patients are able to resume work and most daily activities after approximately two weeks. Pain during recovery is usually minimal, but any mild discomfort that you experience can usually be treated with medication. It is fairly common for breasts to appear larger than they will ultimately be, due to swelling. This will gradually go down over time, and most swelling should be resolved after three to four weeks.
How Much Reduction is Possible?
It is very common for breast reduction patients to be unsure of how to determine the proper size for their new breasts. To facilitate this process, Dr. Thomas Lintner meets with each patient, allowing him to assess their unique body shape and suggest an appropriate new cup size. Although some women may be so uncomfortable with their large breasts that they request to have them reduced all the way to an “A” cup, Dr. Lintner prefers to keep breast size proportionate to the patient’s body.
Since breast reduction often enables patients to become more active, potential weight loss is also taken into consideration when determining the appropriate size. This approach is designed to give the breasts a natural appearance that complements the patient’s unique body frame. In some cases, Dr. Lintner may recommend body contouring in conjunction with a breast reduction, to maintain proper proportions for your figure. Depending on your individual situation, you may only need a breast lift, as opposed to a breast reduction. If that is the case, Dr. Lintner can review your options with you and help you select the procedure that can best meet your needs.
Will I Have Noticeable Breast Reduction Scars?
Dr. Lintner places all incisions skillfully and carefully in a way that can provide patients with the most inconspicuous scars possible. As the scars heal, they should also begin to fade. To ensure proper healing takes place, it is crucial to follow Dr. Lintner’s post-op instructions. Ultimately, the relief from pain, boost in self-confidence, and other benefits of breast reduction tend to outweigh any concern patients may have about residual scarring.
Can I Breastfeed After Breast Reduction?
In most cases, yes. Breast reduction should not affect the ability to breastfeed if nursing function previously existed before surgery. Dr. Lintner is well-versed in breast reduction surgery and can use special techniques that ensure the blood supply, milk ducts, and nerves necessary for lactating function remain intact. With that said, it is essential to communicate any future plans for breastfeeding with Dr. Lintner so he can personalize the procedure for your unique needs. From a cosmetic standpoint, Dr. Lintner recommends postponing breast reduction surgery until after plans for nursing are complete, whenever possible. Breastfeeding typically causes some degree of skin and breast tissue laxity that may result in the appearance of sag, potentially compromising the aesthetic outcome achieved with surgery. Dr. Lintner will discuss these matters with you and address your other concerns during your consultation.
Is Breast Reduction Without Surgery Possible?
Unfortunately, there are currently no non-surgical breast reduction treatments that can achieve the quality or longevity of results yielded by breast reduction surgery. While there are myths about special exercises that can be performed to decrease the breast size, these workouts typically only seek to tone the pectoral (chest) muscles and are ineffective at removing the breast skin and fatty tissue that cause an excessive breast size. Exercising can, indeed, result in weight loss that produces a slimmer figure; however, it cannot specifically target or reduce the breast size with the same efficacy as breast reduction.
What Are the Risks Associated with Breast Reduction?
While complications are quite rare, specific risks associated with breast reduction can include changes in nipple or breast sensation, an inability to breastfeed (if special surgical techniques are not used), asymmetrical breasts, thickened scars, and nipple loss. That said, choosing a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Lintner to perform your breast reduction can help to further reduce your chances of experiencing any of these already relatively rare complications. Following your surgeon’s pre- and post-procedure instructions also plays a key part in ensuring a safe, successful outcome. Dr. Lintner takes great care to provide comprehensive and personalized treatment information for his patients, educating them about procedural details and the overall risks and rewards so they can make a fully informed decision.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reduction
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Does Breast Reduction Hurt?
The actual surgery is performed under general anesthesia, meaning that patients should not feel any pain. Recovery after breast reduction surgery involves some discomfort, including pain, swelling, and bruising, but these symptoms are generally manageable with prescribed pain medications. Most patients are pleased to experience significant relief from chronic discomfort and other issues associated with large breasts.
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How Should I Sleep After Breast Reduction?
Dr. Lintner recommends sleeping on your back with your upper body elevated to reduce swelling and promote healing after breast reduction. Many patients use pillows to support their backs and arms, avoiding pressure on the chest. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or sides for the first few weeks after surgery to prevent strain on incisions and to ensure a smooth recovery.
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Will My Breasts Look Natural After Reduction?
Dr. Lintner works with each patient prior to their breast reduction to ensure the most natural-looking results possible. A detailed assessment of the patient’s proportions and aesthetic goals will be conducted during the consultation process, allowing Dr. Lintner to create a personalized treatment plan. Most patients actually find that their newly reshaped and resized breasts actually feel more natural on their frame, enabling them to wear a wider variety of clothes and feel more confident about their proportions. While breast reduction surgery does leave some scarring, the incisions can typically be well-concealed by bras and swimwear
Learn More About Breast Reduction
Read Dr. Lintner’s insights on breast reduction below. The document will not only provide you with his personal thoughts on the surgery, but it will also answer some of the initial questions you may have on the topic. To schedule a breast surgery consultation with Dr. Lintner, contact us today.