February 18, 2022
Is it difficult to find clothes that fit both your bust and your body? Are you in pain because of the weight of your breasts? Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about your breasts? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then a breast reduction may be right for you. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 36,000 women in the United States underwent breast reduction surgery in 2019. If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, you’re not alone.
What Exactly Is Breast Reduction?
A breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of your breasts by removing excess skin, fat, and tissue. This surgery can also help lift and reshape your breasts so they are in proportion with the rest of your body. In some cases, the areola (the dark area around the nipple) is also reduced in size. A breast reduction can ease symptoms associated with large breasts, such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. If you’re self-conscious about the size or shape of your breasts, breast reduction surgery can also help improve your self-esteem and quality of life.
How Does a Breast Reduction Work?
If you're considering a breast reduction, here's what you need to know about how the procedure works. Every woman's body is different, so every breast reduction is unique, and the specifics of your breast reduction surgery will be tailored to your individual needs and desired results. However, you can expect the surgery to follow this typical procedure:
- Your surgeon will give you anesthesia to keep you comfortable during surgery. This may be general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep for the duration of the procedure, or local anesthesia, which numbs the area around your breasts.
- Your surgeon will make incisions around your nipples and down to your breast creases. In some cases, these incisions may extend horizontally along your breast creases as well.
- Next, excess skin and tissue are removed from your breasts. Sometimes, liposuction is also used to remove excess fat from the area. The surgeon may also need to remove excess skin from the armpit area.
- Once your surgeon has removed all excess skin and tissue, the remaining tissue is lifted and reshaped to create smaller breasts. Then they will close the incisions with stitches or surgical tape. They may also place a drain under each arm to help prevent fluid build-up as you heal.
What Happens After a Breast Reduction Surgery?
To ensure optimal healing, following your surgeon's aftercare instructions during the recovery period is essential. After the surgery, you can expect some swelling and bruising, which should start to dissipate within a few days, but may take up to a few weeks to fully subside. You may also experience some numbness around the incision. These sensation changes are usually temporary. You will probably feel some pain and discomfort during this time, but you can manage it with pain medication. The breast reduction recovery process takes time—usually around four to six weeks—so it's important to give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover before returning to work or other activities. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise during this time so your incisions can heal properly. Most women report feeling back to their old selves within two months after surgery; However, sometimes, it may take up to a year for all swelling and bruising to disappear completely.
One of the best things about breast reduction is that it can immediately and positively impact your quality of life. Once recovered, you can expect your breasts to be smaller and lighter. Women report feeling more comfortable after surgery, with less pain and discomfort and better posture due to the lighter weight of their breasts. After a breast reduction, patients say they feel empowered and more confident now that they finally feel comfortable in their own skin.
Breast reduction is a life-changing surgery and a major decision. If you're considering it, know that it could change your life for the better!
Call Advanced Aesthetics today to discuss your specific breast reduction needs. Every woman is different, and our staff and team of surgeons at Advanced Aesthetics will meet with you regarding your specific goals to ensure that you feel comfortable in the process and receive optimal results from your surgery.
