A breast reduction or reduction mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of your breasts, and reshape them, so they are in better proportion to your body. This procedure also addresses flattened, drooping, sagging or uneven breasts by removing excess skin and breast tissue, and tightening surrounding tissue to raise and reshape your breasts, creating a more youthful contour. Your nipple and areola will also be shifted to a higher position, and if necessary, reduced in size.
During your consultation with Dr. Capuano, he will listen carefully to your surgical goals and interests, to create a personalized approach that will provide you with optimal results.
The best candidates for breast reduction surgery are otherwise healthy adults, who are nonsmokers, who feel that their breasts are too large for their body frame. Some patients seeking breast reduction surgery are primarily concerned with the appearance of their breasts, while others, with disproportionately large breasts may have associated medical issues including neck, back, or shoulder pain, or recurrent infections beneath their breast folds that prevent them from participating in certain physical activities.
Ideal candidates for breast reduction are finished with child bearing and breast-feeding. If you plan to have any future children, you may want to consider postponing surgery, because pregnancy and breast feeding may stretch your breasts and compromise your surgical results. Dr. Capuano will help determine if breast reduction surgery is right for you.
Breast reduction surgery takes between 3 to 5 hours or more depending on the patient’s anatomy, skin quality, and surgical needs. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, on both an inpatient and an outpatient basis, in the hospital. An overnight stay will depend on individual medical condition and extent of surgery.
Most patients are able to return to work within about 1 to 2 weeks. You may begin light exercise at 2-3 weeks, while 6 weeks is required, before returning to strenuous activity or lifting. Bruising may be present for up to 3 weeks. Patients are instructed to wear a light compressive bra for 6 weeks. Although some results are immediately evident, the final result of your breast reduction may not be apparent for 6 months to a year post operatively. Scars begin to fade from 7 months up to about a year and a half.
Bruising, swelling, soreness, temporary numbness, surgical scars
Risks include bleeding, infection, hematoma, permanent changes in skin or nipple sensation, scarring, nipple or breast asymmetry, prolonged swelling, thick scars or loss of the nipple.
Dr. Capuano consistently achieves excellent results with breast reduction surgery. He is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and he would be happy to discuss your options if you are thinking about a breast reduction.
Contact the office of the Northern Center for Plastic Surgery at (201)820-5280 to schedule an appointment.
A consultation with Dr. Capuano will give you a definitive answer. Though most people know whether or not they want to get rid of some of their breast mass, they are uncertain as to having a flat appearance post breast reduction. They think another option to reducing their size is to go with a breast lift. A breast lift does take a small portion of breast tissue with it, though it really isn't a surgery that is intended to reduce breast size. Having a surgeon who knows how to reduce and sculpt the tissue in the appropriate manner is most important. Visit Dr. Capuano at the Northern Center for Plastic Surgery, during your consultation he will explain and show you how a breast lift vs a full reduction could benefit you and with the proper information you can make an informed decision.