Archive for category: Breast Reduction

Breast reduction scars are an inevitable part of getting surgery, but they can be minimized with proper planning and follow-through. Following your surgeon’s directions closely and looking into scar massage and silicone scar reduction sheeting can do a great deal to reduce scar appearance.

Because breast reduction surgery can produce such amazing results for patients who suffer from pain, rashes, and other issues related to having large breasts, it’s important not to let the idea of scars be the reason for not pursuing it. 

Let’s take a closer look at four of the ways you can minimize breast reduction surgery scars.

What Does a Breast Reduction Scar Look Like?

What your breast reduction scars will look like depends on several factors. The most important factor will be what type of surgery is required to achieve your aesthetic goals.

At your consultation appointment, you will tell Dr. Schulman what you hope to achieve with your surgery. Many patients want to go down one or two cup sizes at least. Based on your current breast size, the makeup of your breast tissue, your skin elasticity, and your overall body composition and frame, Dr. Schulman will then decide on the best surgical approach for you.

There are several different ways to perform breast reduction surgery. Naturally, Dr. Schulman wants to help minimize scarring as you do, but if you also want drastic reduction results, more scarring may be necessary because more incisions may be necessary. 

For example, less invasive breast reduction surgeries (for smaller reductions) only require incisions to be made around each areola. These incisions will heal and turn into scars that blend nicely into the darker skin of the areolae.

A “lollipop” or “anchor” incision pattern, on the other hand, will create additional incisions and additional scars. These are surgeries for more significant reductions. 

The lollipop incision pattern requires one incision to be made around the areola and another to be made from the bottom of the areola down to the breast grease (resulting in somewhat of a lollipop incision pattern).

The anchor incision pattern is basically the lollipop pattern with an additional incision: one that is made along the breast crease. Generally speaking, this last incision will be hardly noticeable because it is hidden by the breast itself.

So, do boob reduction scars go away?

Yes, over time, your breast reduction scars will fade and flatten out. However, this can only happen if you take good care of your incisions after your surgery and use the other tips outlined below.

How Long Does It Take for a Breast Reduction Surgery to Heal?

After, “How painful is breast reduction surgery?”, the most commonly asked question regarding breast reduction is, “How long will it take for me to heal?”

And it’s a good question. After all, you’re undergoing this surgery so that you can enjoy life more — wear the clothes you want, move the way you want, and be proud of your body. That means you want to jump over the healing process as quickly as possible. 

Unfortunately, your body has other plans when it comes to healing (it prefers to take its time). 

First off, to get healed breast reduction scars will take at least seven to 10 days. After this time, you should be able to resume normal activities, but don’t jump into your regular exercise routine just yet. You should wait to perform any type of strenuous physical activities until about three weeks out from surgery. Discuss this with Dr. Schulman.

As usual, always ease into exercise, and pace yourself. Exercise is one of the things breast reduction patients are most excited about after their surgery. Still, you don’t want to compromise your results by rushing into heavy workouts too quickly.

How to Reduce Breast Reduction Surgery Scars: 4 Tips

1. Don’t strain your incisions.

As stated above, one of the most common problems after breast reduction surgery occurs when patients rush back into activity too soon. They’re excited about their results, and they want to run, play sports, and exercise. It’s definitely great to be excited about physical activity, but don’t strain your incisions too soon. 

Pulling and stretching on your incisions can cause them not only to open up, but to be agitated in such a way as to create a worsened scar over time. Especially during the first few weeks of recovery, stay relatively still, make gentle movements, and do not stretch or strain.

2. Don’t expose your incisions to ultraviolet light.

UV light from the sun or tanning beds can exacerbate the pigment of your scars, making your scars appear darker than they need to be. Wear protective clothing, use sunscreen, and do whatever it takes to keep your incision sites and scars out of the sun.

3. Wear your post-surgical garments as directed.

We will put you into a surgical bra after your surgery. You’ll need to wear this for a specific amount of time. Do not stop wearing this bra or any of the other garments we recommend until you’re cleared to do so by Dr. Schulman. Doing so too early could compromise your results and may worsen your scarring.

4. Talk to your surgeon about scar reduction techniques.

There are several different breast reduction scar treatment options available that really work. From breast reduction scar cream and serums to special silicone sheeting and devices that hold scars together for better healing, many options can produce excellent results. 

This is especially true for those who may be at risk of forming a breast reduction scar tissue lump beneath their skin as their scars heal (often called keloid scarring). You’ll want to avoid these scars, which can be uncomfortable as well as unattractive. If you have keloid scars from other incisions or injuries, tell Dr. Schulman about it so that he can help you avoid these types of scars as you heal from breast reduction surgery.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More

Reduction mammaplasty can drastically alleviate discomfort for women with excessively large breasts. Because scars are inevitable, it’s important to have a plan for scar reduction. This starts with choosing the best NYC plastic surgeon for your procedure. 

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman performs breast reduction surgery for patients in New York City. The outstanding results Dr. Schulman achieves for his patients speak for themselves. 

To find out if you’re a good candidate for breast reduction surgery, book a consultation appointment with Dr. Schulman today. 

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-symptoms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425293

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?

TheAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons defines breast reduction, orreduction 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 orliposuction, both of which can help reshape the breast tissue and achieve a more appealing and attractive breast shape.

• See Also Tummy Tuck versus Mini Tummy Tuck

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 calledgynecomastia. 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.

• See Also “Mommy Makeover” Explained

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.