Common Reasons to Undergo a Breast Reduction

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A breast reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of your breasts. This operation is common and according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there were about 50,000 breast reduction procedures performed in 2019.

 

What is breast reduction surgery?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons defines breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, as the removal of “excess breast tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and alleviate discomfort.” Essentially, breast reduction surgery aims to make the patient’s chest smaller and more in proportion with their unique frame. For women, breast reductions may also be combined with breast lifts or liposuction, both of which can help reshape the breast tissue and achieve a more appealing and attractive breast shape.

 

 

Common Reasons to have breast reduction surgery?

There are 3 main reason why someone may choose to undergo a breast reduction procedure:

  • Comfort
  • Appearance
  • Reduction in breast cancer risk

Comfort

Most breast reduction surgeries aim to help women reduce symptoms associated with their large breasts, including:

  1. Back and shoulder pain
  2. Neck pain
  3. Rashes and irritation in the breast folds

The excess weight of the breasts can cause shoulder, back, and neck pain. It can also cause rashes and irritation in the breast folds due to moisture and irritation from heavy bras.  It is also common for women with large breasts to have a difficult time losing weight since the weight of their breasts interferes with their ability to exercise and be active.

  Appearance

 

While one of the main benefits of breast reduction surgery is improved comfort, there is certainly a cosmetic component as well.  Oftentimes, women with large breasts feel heavier than their actual weight. They commonly complain of being “top heavy” and have trouble wearing specific types of clothes.

 

A breast reduction will make the chest smaller and can give the appearance of a slimmer body. An important part of a breast reduction is also a breast lift. This means that in addition to making the breasts smaller, they will also be lifted. The ultimate result will be smaller, lifted, and perkier breasts. A well performed breast reduction should make you feel better AND look better.

 

  Reduction in Breast Cancer Risk

 

There was a well performed study done in Sweden that demonstrated that breast reduction surgery can decrease the risk of breast cancer. They found that there was a 28% decreased incidence in breast cancer among women who had undergone a breast reduction. The rationale is that after a breast reduction procedure, there is less native breast tissue that can ultimately undergo cancerous transformation. This has led some women who have a family history of breast cancer to electively undergo breast reduction surgery.

 

 

Can Men Get a Breast Reduction?

 

Men can get breast reduction surgery as well. Male breast reduction surgery benefits men who find themselves with excess tissue in their chests — a condition called gynecomastia. The procedure helps reduce self-consciousness associated with male breasts and can make men more comfortable both in and out of their clothes.

 

 

How to prepare for your Breast Reduction surgery

It’s important to be ready for your surgery ahead of time and to know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. You will need to take time off work and away from your normal activities once the procedure is finished, and you will also need someone with you, taking care of you for at least a week. Preparing individually and with your family ahead of time is a good idea.

At your initial consultation, your surgeon will go over everything you should expect during your surgery. Depending on your current health status, you may need to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements (some drugs such as aspirin may thin the blood and be dangerous for surgery as they increase bleeding). You should also quit smoking if you are a smoker, since nicotine can significantly impair healing.

Your surgeon will discuss the specific plans for your surgery. There are several different breast reduction techniques and each has different skin incisions and scars. Your surgeon should demonstrate on your body what your scar will look like.  He or she will also let you know how long you will be in the operating room. On average, a breast reduction can take 2-4 hours in the operating room. Obviously, the larger the reduction, the longer it will take.

All breast reduction surgeries require prior medical evaluations and possibly lab tests. You may need to have a mammogram as well if you are 40 years or older, or have any personal or family history of breast problems.

 

 

Recovering from breast reduction surgery

This surgical procedure is done as an outpatient, meaning that you will be permitted to go home the same day. After an appropriate time in the recovery room, you will be able to leave with your surgical escort. You will be given pain medications, but we find that a breast reduction tends to be among the least painful procedures that we perform.

Dr. Schulman will provide you with post-op instructions, which you and your chosen caregiver must follow closely for your safety and for optimal results from the surgery. Several follow-up appointments will be scheduled as well. At these appointments, Dr. Schulman will remove your bandages and examine the progress of your healing. Stitches will be moved as necessary, but most simply dissolve on their own over time.

In most cases, returning to work is possible in one to two weeks following breast reduction surgery. Of course, this will depend on the specific type of work that you do. Returning to physical activity and exercise will take longer. This is especially true for activities involving breast movement (like jogging or running). You should expect to refrain from exerxign for about 3 weeks. Continue following your post-op directions and attending your follow-up appointments, and your surgeon will let you know when you can return to your typical routine.

 

Breast Reduction in New York City

 

Many women with extra-large chests find that larger breasts are problematic. Large breasts can cause pain and discomfort on a daily basis. They can exacerbate other physical problems and they can even restrict your activity and diminish your self-esteem. Even some teenage girls suffer the pain and embarrassment of very large breasts. This is why this procedure is sometimes performed on teens, when their breasts have stopped growing. Breast reduction surgery may eliminate many of these complaints and is the plastic surgery procedure with the highest satisfaction rate.

 

If you are a women, man, or teen, and thinking about undergoing a breast reduction, make sure to find a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in this procedure. Dr. Matthew Schulman is a breast and body expert here in New York City. To learn more about breast reduction surgery and why it may be right for you, contact us through our website or call the office.

 

Everything You Need to Know About Breast Reduction

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If your breasts are dis-proportionally large in comparison with the rest of your frame, you may have good reason to invest in breast reduction surgery. In the following guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know when considering breast reduction surgery for yourself in New York City.

Breast Reduction New York City: Everything You Need to Know

 

What is breast reduction surgery?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons defines breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, as the removal of “excess breast tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and [to] alleviate discomfort.”

Essentially, breast reduction surgery aims to make the patient’s chest smaller and more in proportion with their unique frame. For women, breast reductions may also be combined with breast lifts or liposuction procedure, both of which can help reshape the breast tissue and achieve a more appealing and attractive breast shape.

 

 

Why have breast reduction surgery?

Most breast reduction surgeries aim to help women reduce the negative side effects associated with extra-large breasts. Many women opt for breast reduction surgery because of physical pain and discomfort. The excess weight on the front of the body — in the chest — can cause back problems and neck issues. Likewise, it can impede physical activity and exacerbate weight problems. Many women with extra-large chests lament having problems finding clothes that fit well and having to wear extra high necklines with every outfit to avoid showing excess cleavage. In recent years, many well-known female celebrities have chosen breast reduction surgery, including Drew Barrymore and Ariel Winter.

Men can get breast reduction surgery as well. Male breast reduction surgery benefits men who find themselves with excess tissue in their chests — a condition called gynecomastia. The procedure helps reduce self-consciousness associated with male breasts and can make men more comfortable both in and out of their clothes.

How to prepare for surgery

It’s important to be ready for your surgery ahead of time and to know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. You may need to take time off work and away from your normal activities once the procedure is finished, and you will also need someone with you, taking care of you for at least a few weeks. Preparing individually and with your family ahead of time is a good idea.

Your surgeon will go over everything you should expect at your initial consultation appointment and subsequent appointments. Depending on your current health status, you may need to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements (some drugs such as aspirin may thin the blood and be dangerous for surgery as they increase bleeding). You should also quit smoking if you are a smoker.

All breast reduction surgeries require prior medical evaluations and possibly lab tests. You may need to have a mammogram as well.

 

 

Understanding the breast reduction procedure

The excess tissue, fat, and skin on your breasts must be removed during your breast reduction procedure. This involves incisions on and around your breasts. How these incisions are made will depend on your current physique and what you want your breasts to look like after surgery.

In most breast reduction surgeries, your surgeon will follow these steps:

  1. Administration of anesthesia. This may include general anesthetics and/or sedation by IV.
  2. Incision. There are several different ways your surgeon may make your incisions. The typical choices are “anchor” incisions, “lollipop” incisions, or general “circular incisions.”
  3. Repositioning and tissue removal. The nipple will stay connected to its nerves and blood supply during the procedure but will be repositioned according to the desired end outcome. Other tissue and fat will be removed or repositioned as necessary.
  4. Incision closing. Finally, the incisions will be closed.

 

Recovering from breast reduction surgery

After surgery, you will need to have someone present at our office to take you home and stay with you. A procedure like breast reduction surgery requires that you take time off work and away from physical activities, especially things like strenuous exercise.

Dr. Schulman will provide you with post-op instructions, which you and your chosen caregiver must follow closely for your safety and for optimal results from the surgery. Several follow-up appointments will be scheduled as well. At these appointments, Dr. Schulman will remove your bandages and examine the progress of your healing. Stitches will be moved as necessary.

Returning to work is possible in one or two weeks following breast reduction surgery in most cases. Returning to physical activity and exercise will take longer. This is especially true for activities involving downward breast movement (like jogging or running). Continue following your post-op directions and attending your follow-up appointments, and your surgeon will let you know when you can return to your typical routine.

 

Change Your Life With Breast Reduction New York City

While many women get breast augmentations or breast lifts in order to make their breasts bigger, women with extra-large chests know that bigger boots aren’t all they’re cracked up to be much of the time. Large breasts can cause pain and discomfort on a daily basis. They can exacerbate other physical problems. And they can even restrict your activity and diminish your self-esteem. For men, excess breast tissue can cause discomfort and reduced self-confidence.

Breast reduction surgery can change all of these symptoms for the better.

For breast reduction surgery to benefit you, all it takes is one procedure with an experienced plastic surgeon. Once complete, women will enjoy new breasts that perfectly their physique and frame, and men will be rid of the breast tissue that causes discomfort and self-consciousness.

The plastic surgeon New York City women and men trust with their breast reduction surgeries is Dr. Matthew Schulman.

Dr. Schulman is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience providing women with successful breast reduction surgeries. If you are thinking about breast reduction surgery for yourself, book a consultation appointment with our office. The dedication Dr. Schulman has to providing his patients with optimal results, his care and attention to detail, and his kind and calming presence will tell you immediately that he’s the surgeon you’ll want for your procedure. Contact us today.