For women with disproportionately large breasts, breast reduction surgery can be a welcome solution to neck and back pain, poor posture, and even social awkwardness. Trusted Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Hause is skilled in reshaping the size and proportion of breasts to dramatically improve your quality of life and end soreness, inflammation, and pain.
When Less Is More
Women with smaller frames often find that large breasts can limit their freedom, making some physical activities impractical or uncomfortable. Bra straps may chafe against the skin and put a strain on shoulders, potentially impacting circulation. The added weight of heavy breasts pulls the shoulders forward, often leading to chronic back pain and a slouch when walking or standing.
In addition to greater comfort and improved confidence, breast reduction surgery has a wide range of benefits, including improving symmetry and sculpting a more appealing shape. It can also adjust the nipple, compress the size of the areola, and generally create an elegant new profile. If there is sagging, Dr. Hause can also lift each breast to renew the natural contour.
The Procedure
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and firmer. The type of incision that is necessary will depend on the extent of the reduction in breast size. Significant reductions usually require rea so-called “anchor”-shaped incision that goes around the circumference of the areola and then extends vertically down to the base of the breast and across the base. Smaller reductions can be achieved using a “lollipop” incision that eliminates the necessity of cutting across the bottom of the breast.
The surgery lasts about two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Though rare, complications may include loss of the nipple, infection, scarring, nipple erectile ability loss, and nipple numbness. Numbness could potentially be permanent and affect the ability to breastfeed in the future.
Recovery
Discomfort after the operation is minimal, as the sutures dissolve internally and dressings can be removed in 10 to 14 days. Driving can be resumed in four to five days while showering and bathing can recommence in five to seven days. Physical activity, which includes lifting objects, must be restricted for two weeks, and active sports should be avoided for two to four weeks. Dr. Hause will schedule several postoperative visits in order to monitor the recovery process.
In the absence of future pregnancies or dramatic weight gain, the results of your breast reduction will be long-lasting. Except in rare cases, breast tissue will not grow back, so your reduction in volume and the many benefits you are enjoying from a more proportionate shape should be permanent.
To learn more about breast reduction, call Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery at (916) 646-6869 or send us an email to schedule a consultation