Overly large breasts can cause self-consciousness, back pain, skin chafing, and numerous physical and emotional problems. If you’re dissatisfied with the size of your breasts, breast reduction surgery may be just what you need.
Breast Reduction
Why Reduce Breast Volume
It’s not uncommon for women to feel self-conscious about their breast size. Many women feel the need to reduce their breast size for both physical and emotional reasons. If you have overly large breasts, you may have difficulty finding clothes that fit properly or feel like your breasts are disproportionately large. You may also suffer from back pain, shoulder pain, and an inability to engage in physical exercise. For these reasons, you may consider breast reduction surgery.
What is Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of the breasts, making them proportionate to the rest of the body. You may pursue a breast reduction if you’re self-conscious because of overly large breasts that cause back pain, shoulder pain, and other physical and emotional problems. Breast reduction can have a significant impact on your quality of life — many women report feeling more confident and comfortable after the surgery.
Dr. Erickson’s Breast Reduction Technique
Dr. Erickson performs a thorough evaluation to review your medical history, discuss your goals and concerns, ask why you’re pursuing a breast reduction, and curate a personalized treatment plan. Your breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia at our accredited surgical facility. Numerous techniques can be used for breast reduction — the specific technique used will depend on your individual anatomy and goals.
One common technique for breast reduction is called the “anchor” technique. This involves making an incision that goes around the areola, down the center of the breast, and then along the crease underneath the breast. This incision allows the surgeon to remove excess tissue and skin and to reposition the areola and nipple to a higher position on the breast.
Another common technique is called the “vertical” or “lollipop” technique. This involves making an incision around the areola and then down the center of the breast, but without the horizontal incision along the crease. This technique can be used when there is less excess tissue to be removed and can sometimes result in a shorter scar.
After the incisions have been made, the surgeon will remove the excess breast tissue and skin. The remaining breast tissue will be reshaped to create smaller, more lifted breasts. The incisions will be closed with stitches, and drains may be placed under the skin to reduce swelling and bruising. The surgeon will also provide a surgical bra to facilitate healing.
Goals of Breast Reduction:
- Reducing the size of overly large breasts
- Making both breasts look symmetrical and even
- Making the breasts look more proportional to the body
- Reducing back pain, shoulder pain, and other problems caused by large breasts
Recovery After Breast Reduction
Most patients report excellent results after breast reduction surgery. In addition to enjoying a more proportionate figure, many patients say that their quality of life improves significantly due to the relief of back, neck, and shoulder pain. Generally, patients are thrilled with the results of their surgery; however, as with any surgery, there are potential side effects and risks that must be considered.
The most common side effects reported by patients are temporary and include bruising, swelling, and discomfort. These side effects are to be expected and typically subside within a few weeks. It is important to follow your post-operative instructions closely to minimize the risk of complications and to ensure the best possible outcome.
Most patients take approximately 2 weeks before feeling well enough to return to their normal activities. However, strenuous workouts should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Consult Dr. Erickson
Dr. Cameron Erickson supports you through every stage of your breast reduction surgery, from the initial consultation to the final recovery. He also gives you his personal number, so you can contact him whenever you need. Furthermore, his personalized approach to breast reduction ensures natural-looking results that conform to your expectations. Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Erickson to explore your options.
