Having breasts that are too large or heavy can be a physical and mental ordeal. Women with this issue can appear top-heavy and matronly, interfering with their self-esteem and confidence. In addition, they may develop poor posture as well as pain in the neck, shoulders, and back from the weight of their breasts. For many people, breast reduction is the only option for getting their confidence and health back. Dr. Cuber is an expert in performing breast reduction to create perky and aesthetically pleasing new breasts.
A breast reduction is a surgical procedure in which excess breast tissue is removed and the remaining tissue resculpted to create firmer, more aesthetically pleasing breasts. In addition, the end result is smaller and has a more feminine shape. This can not only rejuvenate appearance, but also reduce or eliminate pain from heavy, pendulous breasts.
Breast Reduction Surgery
There are several benefits to getting a breast reduction, including:
- Higher, more youthful breast placement
- A more balanced and proportionate shape
- Less back, shoulder, and neck pain
- Reduced size of areolas and nipples, if desired.
- Better fitting clothing
- Increased self-esteem and pride in appearance
How a Breast Reduction Is Performed
There are several different ways to reduce the size of breasts and resculpt them. In general, most people choose all or a combination of the following procedures:
- Liposuction: in which excessive tissue and fat is removed from the breasts using suction, with only a few tiny incisions.
- A Vertical Breast Reduction: in which an incision is made from the nipple to the base of the breast. This is also called a lollipop incision.
- An Inverted T or Anchor Reduction: which involves the vertical incision of a lollipop incision but with an additional incision along the base of the breast.
Liposuction Breast Reduction
There are pros and cons to each of these approaches. In an approach using liposuction only, there is almost no scarring. However, this technique only gives a slight reduction in tissue and does little to firm up the area. If you have very large breasts with a great deal of skin, liposuction likely will not be dramatic enough for you.
Vertical Breast Reduction / Lollipop Breast Reduction
A vertical or lollipop incision offers more dramatic tissue reduction as well as removal of excess skin. As the name implies, an incision is made around the areola (the darkly pigmented area around your nipple and a second incision from the areola to the base of the breast. This creates the shape of a lollipop on a stick.
Excess fat, glands, and other tissues are removed through this incision and the area resculpted to the desired shape. Skin can then be removed, with the remaining skin reconnected to create a firm, high appearance. Some scars are left behind, but these are covered by a bra or bikini and will fade in around a year.
Inverted-T Breast Reduction / Anchor Breast Reduction
Last, the Inverted T or Anchor reduction is the most dramatic type of breast reduction. In this procedure, the same two incisions are made as in the lollipop approach. In addition, a third incision is made in the crease at the base of the breast. Although this procedure has the most scarring, it also has the most dramatic results. The incisions allow maximum resculpting of tissue and fat as well as for a large amount of extra skin to be removed.
As with the last technique, the scarring can be significant. However, the scars fade quickly and will easily be covered by a women’s swimsuit or typical undergarments.
Recovering from a Breast Reduction
Regardless of the type of breast reduction that you choose, the recovery is swift, and the results are apparent immediately. Most patients go home just a few hours after surgery. You will have surgical bandages and be wearing a special compression bra that you will wear for about a month.
Many people feel swollen, sore, and bruised after the procedure. Some use pain medication for a few days to get through the first and most painful part of the recovery. Ice packs also may relieve the discomfort and swelling.
Every patient recovers at a different rate. However, most people can return to work, driving, and light activity within a week. They can go back to strenuous activity such as exercise in about a month. The incision should be healed in just 3 to 4 weeks.
Breast Reduction Patient 1: The woman came to our practice because she felt insecure about the sagginess of her breasts. She chose a breast reduction, which repositioned and reshaped her breasts. As you can see in the “after” photo, the results were dramatic.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Reduction Procedure?
Most women who are unhappy with the size, shape, and weight of their breasts are good candidates for this procedure. In general, you should be in good health and understand what you can reasonably expect from the procedure. If you smoke, you may be asked to quit for a short period of time before and after your surgery. If your breasts cause your figure to look unbalanced or otherwise cause you emotional distress, this procedure may be right for you.
Ultimately, the only way to make an educated decision about this or any other plastic surgery is to consult with a surgeon. Our board-certified plastic surgeons can teach you more about the procedures and help you decide which option is best for your personal goals and body.
Breast Reduction Patient 2: Like many women, this patient was insecure about her upper body appearance, especially the size and sagging in her breasts. After a breast reduction, she had increase self-confidence and found that garments fit better and looked more attractive on her.
Breast Reduction Patient 3: The patient presented with complaints of back pain and other chronic pain from the weight of her large breasts. The situation had grown worse since she entered middle age. After her breast reduction, her breasts were still full but had a more feminine shape and a natural high position.
Breast Reduction Patient 4: This female patient wanted to rejuvenate her breasts and make her figure more youthful. After her procedure, the sagging was gone, and her self-confidence was increased.
Could a breast reduction help you? The answer depends on your unique health as well as your appearance goals. If you want to find out more, the next step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shain Cuber. Call 516-472-7846 or fill out our online form to take the first steps to the breasts you have always dreamed of.