Breast reduction surgery, known medically as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure in which excess fat, breast tissue, and skin are removed from the breasts.
Many women seek breast reduction surgery to alleviate physical discomfort such as back and neck pain, to feel more socially at ease, to improve their mental serenity, and to achieve what they consider a breast size more proportionate to their bodies. Breast reduction surgery is among the specialties of the surgeons at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix, AZ. Our doctors are among the most highly trained, skilled, and experienced plastics surgeons in Arizona. Patients also consistently praise the doctors for their communication skills and personal warmth. You are invited to schedule a consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix to determine if surgical breast reduction is right for you.
Would you change the size of your breasts if you could? Many patients find the answer is yes. While some individuals want larger breasts, there are many who feel their breasts are too large or heavy. A breast reduction allows you to have the smaller breast size you feel you should have had all along. In addition to improving your proportions overall, the procedure can also put a stop to the pain frequently associated with overly large breasts.
Many women and some men have breasts that they feel are excessively large, heavy, asymmetrical, or that look out of proportion to their body frame.
If you feel your breasts are too large for your figure or are causing you to experience physical discomfort, a breast reduction may be right for you. Your surgeon at Southwest Breast will explain the available surgical options to you and pre-screen you for contraindications to elective surgery.
If you’re having the surgery to address physical issues and challenges, it may.
Your surgeon at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix, AZ will help you gather all necessary information to send to your insurance company for consideration before surgery.
Coverage eligibility depends on your insurance plan and the amount of breast tissue removed. Breast reductions can present as either cosmetic or reconstructive in nature. For cosmetic breast reductions, we offer fat grafting to avoid upper pole deformity, auto augmentation (fat transfer), implants, and surrounding liposuction. This would not be combined with insurance and considered self-pay. It is critically important to select a surgeon who is eligible or certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, like the doctors at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix. Schedule your initial consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier and happier you!
Breast reduction surgery generally requires the patient to undergo general anesthesia. The surgery is performed either in a hospital or an outpatient facility and usually takes about three hours.
Typically, your surgeon will make an incision around the areola and down each breast. Your doctor will remove excess breast tissue and skin to achieve the desired reduction. Your breasts will then be reshaped, and, if necessary, your nipples and areola may be repositioned to better conform with your newly reduced breast size. Immediately after surgery, your breasts will be covered with bandages or a gauze dressing.
Drainage tubes are not typically used, however on occasion, a tube may be placed under each arm to help drain any excess blood or fluid. Pain medication will be provided for you to take as needed. Patients are usually able to go home on the same day as their surgery, although a night in the hospital might be recommended.
You can resume a light diet later in the day of your surgery and can shower two days after surgery. Once home, you’ll need plenty of ice to relieve swelling, as well as gauze, clean washcloths and towels, loose-fitting shirts and ointments, and creams as recommended by your doctor.
Plan to take seven to ten days off from work or school. It’s important to avoid strenuous activity for four to six weeks and to wear a sports bra. Full convalescence will take about three months. Your surgical scars should start to fade anywhere from three to six months following your operation, but will never completely disappear. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery and results.
All surgery leaves a scar, no matter how minor. Many patients consider elective surgery to improve their appearance for the better. They do not want their surgical scars to detract from their results.
At Southwest Breast, you will have access to some of the best Phoenix breast reduction surgeons in the business. They strive to minimize scarring as much as possible using the latest techniques. They consider everything from the incision technique to the type of sutures used to close the incision and how they will impact the final scar.
Aftercare is vital to make sure the scar fades nicely. To hasten scar healing, follow all post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon. This may include avoiding direct sun exposure, abstaining from nicotine use, and applying scar gel or silicone scar strips.
Bleeding may occur, and preventing infection is always a surgical concern. Your breasts and nipples may lose some sensation. Reduction surgery could also affect your future ability to breastfeed.
Smoking is a contraindication for this procedure. Patients who smoke will need to quit a minimum of six weeks for breast reduction candidacy. Any personal or family history of breast cancer should be a consideration, and any unevaluated tissue masses discovered during the examination must be diagnosed and addressed.
Any history of diabetes or heart problems may exclude a candidate. Breast reduction surgery cannot be performed if the woman is lactating. Before surgery can be medically approved you may have to quit smoking for a period of time prior to and following your operation. You may also need to interrupt the use of certain medications such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs that could cause bleeding.
Women consider breast reduction surgery for physical, aesthetic, and/or psychological reasons. Breast reduction surgery repositions the breasts higher on the chest wall and can literally “take a weight off your chest”.
Chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain and numbness can be significantly reduced, or in many cases eliminated. You will have less skin chafing and irritation. You may be less likely to suffer yeast infections under your breasts. Your bra strap indentations may disappear. Your clothes will likely fit better. You will be able to be more active, thus improving both your physical and emotional health.
Anxiety decreases, as do feelings of depression. As your self-image climbs, any negative self-consciousness you may feel as a result of your breast size will recede. Ultimately, any surgical procedure must be evaluated in terms of its results and benefits. For some women, breast reduction surgery can be a life-changer. Patient surveys and research have consistently indicated that breast reduction has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any elective surgery.
Gynecomastia is relatively common among males. The condition is marked by excessive breast growth and usually occurs due to an underlying hormonal problem. Age, certain medications, and steroid use are some of the leading causes of gynecomastia.
Many men with gynecomastia feel self-conscious as they may develop puffy nipples or conical breasts that resemble the female form. As a result, some men elect for gynecomastia surgery, which typically includes the removal of the excess adipose and glandular tissue.
Through this procedure, your surgeon at Southwest Breast can reduce the size of large male breasts, accomplishing a flatter and more masculine chest profile.
In cases where a man has protruding breasts but does not have true gynecomastia, your surgeon may discuss weight loss or cosmetic procedures such as chest liposuction.
Hormonal changes, pregnancy, certain medications, weight gain, and failure to treat the underlying cause of male gynecomastia can lead to breast enlargement after reduction mammaplasty.
A breast lift is designed to raise sagging breasts after pregnancy, bariatric surgery, or to counteract the effects of aging. While your surgeon will remove some of the breast tissue, a lift usually does not significantly change breast size. If your primary concern is large or heavy breasts rather than sagging, a breast reduction is likely your best option.
Most patients see a reduction of one to two cup sizes. So long as there is adequate blood supply to the nipple, there is no limit to the amount of breast tissue that can be removed. Your Southwest Breast surgeon will keep your aesthetic goals in mind and will ensure your post-operative breasts are proportional to the rest of your physique.
Some insurance plans cover reduction mammaplasty so long as the patient meets certain criteria, such as a longstanding history of physical discomfort or skin irritations caused by large breasts.
If a male patient has been diagnosed with gynecomastia by a specialist surgeon or general practitioner, insurance might cover the surgery.
Morbid obesity is a contraindication to cosmetic surgery. If you have excessively large breasts due to weight gain, you should attempt to reach a healthy body mass index (BMI) before considering a breast reduction. If your breasts are still too large after reaching your goal weight, then a breast reduction might be right for you.
Your journey to better begins with a consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics. Our plastic surgeons set the standards for plastic surgery through their innovative procedures and meticulous attention to detail. Discover a better experience by booking your consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics today.