Having large breasts is not always as attractive as it’s made out to be. Breasts that are too large can be painful and cumbersome to handle, and some women experience psychological embarrassment and self-esteem issues as a result. Breast reduction can therefore be life changing for them. But what is the procedure like and what can you expect during breast reduction surgery.

What is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that is done to reduce the size of breasts that are excessively large and heavy. It involves removing glandular tissue, skin, and fat to make the breasts smaller and more proportionate with the rest of the body.

When the breasts are too large, they can cause a lot of physical issues including neck, shoulder, and back pain, rashes under the breasts, and grooves in the shoulders, to name a few. In addition, most women with overly large breasts find it very difficult to find clothes that fit. Breast reduction surgery will resolve the weight and size issues that cause these difficulties.

What can you expect during breast reduction surgery?

During breast reduction patients can expect the following:

1. Removal of excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin.
2. Relocation of the nipple.
3. Redraping of the skin around the reduced breast.

Type of Anesthesia

Breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, and is done on an outpatient basis.

Types of Incisions

There are several techniques that can be used to perform breast reduction surgery including the following:

• Wise pattern incisions: The wise breast reduction method also known as the anchor incision or inverted-T, is the most popular technique. It involves 3 incisions. One incision is made around the edge of the areola, another is made vertically down the front of the breast, and the final incision is made along the bottom crease of the breasts. The wise pattern is generally recommended for women with extremely large breasts, as it allows the surgeon to remove more tissue and skin than is possible with other breast reduction methods.
• Vertical incision breast reduction: The vertical incision also known as the lollipop incision technique, is a newer breast reduction method. The incisions for this technique are made around the areola and then down from the areola to the breast crease. There is less scarring with this technique, because no incision is made at the bottom of the breast. The vertical incision technique is suitable for women that have a moderate amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed.

Removal of excess skin, tissue and fat

After the incision is made the surgeon will remove skin, tissue, and fat, and reshape the remaining tissue. The areola will also be reduced, and in some cases the nipple/areolar complex may need to be repositioned. The breasts will be smaller and firmer after surgery.

A small drain may be put under each breast and left in place for a few days, in order to help with drainage during healing. After surgery blood and fluid may accumulate below the skin and the drains help to remove the pooled fluid. The breasts are also wrapped in gauze and bandages.

Breast lift surgery takes 2-3 hours, but it depends on the extent of the reduction required.

After surgery

The breasts will feel tight and swollen after surgery, and patients generally wear a sports bra to help minimize swelling and provide support for the breasts. Pain is minimal, and most patients are able to go back to work after 1 week.

Choosing the right breast reduction method for you

There are several breast reduction methods, but the right one for you will depend on your specific situation, and your aesthetic goals. It’s therefore best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon that is experienced with the various techniques.

Breast reduction surgery is often combined with a breast lift for optimal breast rejuvenation results.

If you are in the Roseville, Rocklin, or Loomis CA areas, contact board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rudy Coscia for more information.

Call 916-773-5559 to set up a consultation at his Granite Bay, CA office or 916-929-1833 for the Sacramento, CA location.

If you’re a mom, and you have tried but failed to get back in shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding, a mommy makeover may be the solution for you. A mommy makeover is a rewarding procedure that can restore your confidence, and change your life. But which procedures can be included in a mommy makeover.

What is a mommy makeover?

A mommy makeover is actually a group of surgical procedures that a woman can undergo in order to restore her pre-baby body. The procedures are done to address some of the changes brought on by pregnancy and breastfeeding, and typically focus on rejuvenating the breasts and abdomen. The breasts generally lose shape and volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the abdomen sometimes sags.

Mommy makeover procedures may be done at the same time or separately, it all depends on the areas of emphasis. Doing several procedures at once can be beneficial, because it means preparing for only one round of surgery and having a single recovery period.

The procedures included in a mommy makeover are not the same for every woman, as the treatment is customized to fit the specific needs and concerns of each patient. However, there are some core procedures that are typically included in a mommy makeover. These include:

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck is a procedure that is done to tone and tighten the abdomen. Regardless of how many crunches some women do, they still have a pudgy tummy that simply won’t go away. This is most often due to separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which can occur during pregnancy. During a tummy tuck the surgeon will remove excess skin and fat, and repair weak or stretched abdominal muscles.

Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is often requested as part of a mommy makeover. It addresses the changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding that lead to a reduction in the size of the breasts. Breast augmentation uses implants to add volume to the breasts, helping to restore their natural shape and appearance. Breast implants are generally made of sterile salt water or silicone gel. While some women only want to restore the breast size they had before pregnancy, others opt to go up a cup size, in order to further enhance their figure.

Breast Lift

A breast lift (mastopexy) is often appealing to women that have breast ptosis (sagging), after pregnancy. The breasts often don’t regain their perky shape post-pregnancy, but a breast lift will raise them to a more youthful position. Mastopexy involves removing excess skin that is causing the breasts to sag, and tightening the breast tissue. There are various techniques that can be used to perform a breast lift, and the choice will depend on the degree of sagging.

A combined breast lift with implants is often recommended for women with sagging breasts that also wish to increase breast size. It is a single procedure that allows the plastic surgeon to address both sagginess and size, which are two of the most common complaints women have about their breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Liposuction

Liposuction is another popular mommy makeover procedure, because it helps to sculpt those areas with stubborn fat that will not budge, despite efforts at diet and exercise. After having a baby, many women have unwanted fat in areas such as the tummy, arms, back, and thighs, and liposuction is the best way to remove it.

Are you a good candidate for a mommy makeover?

If you are experiencing the lingering effects of giving birth, such as droopy, deflated breasts or a protruding tummy, you may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover. It’s the ideal procedure for moms that have worked at losing weight, but have some fat bulges that will not go away.

If you think you might be a good candidate for a mommy makeover, it’s best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation. The surgeon will discuss the various procedures with you, and determine which combination would be most appropriate.

Is your post-baby body getting you down?

Contact Ed Pittman, MD of Pittman Plastic Surgery located in Athens, GA, for more information on mommy makeover surgery.

Call (706) 549-3203 to schedule a consultation.

Despite the thrill and anticipation most women feel when they make the decision to undergo breast augmentation, they are often concerned about the recovery process. Patients typically want realistic insights regarding how long recovery from breast augmentation is likely to take, and what to expect during the process.

Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that adds volume to the breasts using implants that are typically made of silicone gel (silicone implants), or sterile salt water (saline implants).

How long is recovery from breast augmentation?

Recovery after breast augmentation normally takes 2-3 weeks. However, the recovery time may be longer for some patients, depending on factors such as the placement of the implants, location of the incisions, and size of the implants. For example, recovery generally takes longer when the implants are placed below the chest muscle (submuscular), rather than below the breast tissue (subglandular).

The breasts will be somewhat swollen and sore immediately after breast augmentation, and this can take a few days to resolve. Patients are advised to closely follow the post-operative instructions of their plastic surgeon, to ensure optimal healing.

Most patients are able to return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery, but all strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 4 weeks. Normal activities can be resumed after 6 weeks.

The popularity of breast augmentation continues to increase, and patients are generally very happy with their results. Thanks to modern surgical techniques, the recovery process is safe and comfortable for most patients.

Interested in learning more about breast augmentation? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the greater Orange County, CA area, Tenley Lawton, MD, Newport Beach, CA is our featured board certified plastic surgeon.

You can reach Dr. Lawton at www.lawtonmd.com, or by calling (949) 835-5249.