Everything You Need to Know About Breast Reduction
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:
- Administration of anesthesia. This may include general anesthetics and/or sedation by IV.
- Incision. There are several different ways your surgeon may make your incisions. The typical choices are “anchor” incisions, “lollipop” incisions, or general “circular incisions.”
- 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.
- 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.
