Cosmetic treatments and procedures are recognized today not only for enhancing a patient’s appearance but for also improving quality of life. Breast reduction surgery is just such a procedure, whereby it benefits women in a number of ways. At Reflections Skin & Laser Center in Cartersville and Kennesaw, Georgia, we perform this surgery to help women like you look and feel their best.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Without realizing it, many women associate their breasts with femininity. A bust that sits high and is balanced with the rest of the body can give a woman confidence. On the other hand, breasts that have lost their shape and are disproportionately large can make a woman feel like she needs to hide her body and, similarly, shy away from people.
Reviewing the Benefits
After surgery, around 95 percent of patients immediately feel pleased with their results. In fact, this procedure yields one of the greatest satisfaction rates among all cosmetic therapies. This is likely because most women have lived unhappily with their bodies for some time before seeking breast reduction surgery. The relief they feel after seeing their new shapes is profound.
But the benefits go well beyond aesthetics. Many women with large breasts experience pain in their upper and lower backs, necks, and shoulders caused by muscle strain. Reducing the breast size can alleviate this pain and soothe irritated skin that develops from tight, constrictive bra straps and sharp underwires.
Physical Activity
Larger breasts can make it difficult to enjoy physical activities like dancing, aerobics, and running. Not only are the movements associated with these activities painful, but many women lack the confidence needed to exercise in front of others.
The weight of large breasts can also cause the spine to curve. This leads to poor posture and intense back pain. Many women forego exercise altogether so as not to further aggravate their physical symptoms. But after surgery, the spine straightens and pain diminishes, allowing women to enjoy healthy, active lifestyles once more.
Improved Confidence
Oversized breasts and the pain and discomfort they bring can make it difficult to maintain your confidence. On top of this is a constant worry about how you look, whether or not you can find clothes that fit, and if a bra is available to meet your needs. Many times, shopping and social events cause such anxiety that you dread going.
A smaller, more lifted bust can alleviate worry and restore confidence in your appearance. Shopping becomes easier and gatherings become enjoyable. Suddenly, you have a more positive outlook altogether.
More Symmetrical Shapes
Larger breasts can develop unevenly so that they no longer match in shape or size. Surgery can improve this and give both breasts a more symmetrical appearance.
Improved Posture and Wellbeing
We already touched upon the way in which breasts impact a woman’s posture, but we wanted to return to this topic for a moment. A slumped gait can make a woman appear older and more tired than she really is. The same is true of a lady who sits always in a slouch. With lighter breasts, women walk and sit straighter as if letting the world know they are healthy and confident.
Additional problems like headaches, inability to breathe deeply, and feeling tingling in the chest or shoulders don’t get the attention they deserve. The reality is that women with larger breasts can suffer from a number of ailments. Breast reduction surgery eliminates all of these to provide a deeper sense of wellbeing.
How It Works
The surgery takes an average of three to five hours to complete. This depends on your breast size and the amount of tissue being removed. Many women hope to achieve a reduction in two bra cup sizes, which, for comparison sake, might equate to a C or D cup.
During surgery, excess fat and gland tissue are removed. Skin is also tightened to conform to the breasts’ new shape. On very rare occasions, the nipple will be repositioned, but this is not the norm. Our staff will discuss with you the exact nature of your procedure before we begin, and we are always available to answer any questions.
What to Expect
The surgery is performed to ensure an even shape and size between your breasts and a smooth contour. Incisions are carefully placed, the nature of which will be discussed during your consultation. A recovery period will follow surgery, and then you will be allowed to leave. You won’t be able to drive yourself, so please have someone with you.
Most patients are able to resume their regular, daily activities within about a week. Downtime is minimal, and healing is generally easy and more comfortable than you might expect. In addition, women face little risk for pain and other side effects because the surgery involves tissue removal without the disturbance of organs, a fairly uncomplicated process.
How Long Do Results Last?
Most women enjoy the results of breast reduction for a very long time. Patients normally do not require maintenance procedures or repeat touch-ups. It is important to remember, however, that as the body ages, gravitation can impact your breasts. You may therefore experience some sagging in the future, although the surgery will help with this.
The breasts also naturally change in response to weight gains and losses, menstruation, and hormones. Pregnancy is another influence. The procedure will help mitigate the effects of all these factors, as it improves breast shape and eliminates excess tissue.
Breast Development
A woman’s breasts start to develop in puberty, when the body releases more estrogen. This process begins between the ages of 8 and 13, and breasts are usually done growing by age 18. Some women, though, experience continued growth into their twenties.
Overdeveloped breasts may be caused by one or a variety of factors, including genetics. A larger size is sometimes nothing more than the result of predisposition, a trait that can come from your mother or father. Additional causes include:
- Hormonal changes, including those caused by pregnancy
- Recreational drug use
- Weight gain
The Importance of Appearance
As we discussed earlier, breasts play an important role in self-perception. Large breasts can distort the image you have of yourself and make you increasingly self-conscious in the presence of others. This is true of women of all ages, not just those in their early years or those who have given birth.
Who Is This Right for?
- Pain throughout the upper body, especially in the back or neck
- Numbness from the breasts to the fingers
- Difficulty breathing
- Poor posture
- Skin sensitivity, including rashes and irritation
- Indentations in shoulder skin
- Persistent headaches, including migraines
In addition, women who are unable to exercise because of large breasts also make strong candidates. Physical inactivity can lead to additional health concerns, such as weight gain and associated diseases.
Additional Considerations
Breast reduction is not right for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding. Because cigarettes impede the body’s natural healing processes, those who smoke must stop prior to surgery. We further recommend that you not smoke throughout the recovery process.
Before we make a decision regarding your candidacy, we will do a complete review of your current and past medical conditions. We’ll also spend time getting to know you better and asking questions that involve the following:
- Do you want to have an active lifestyle but cannot because of breast size
- What are your reasons for pursuing breast reduction
- What is your ability to refrain from daily activities to safely heal
Age Appropriate
While some girls in their teen years undergo breast reduction to boost confidence, overcome social teasing, and become physically active, most of our patients are 18 or older. This guideline helps us work with patients who have fully developed breasts. Because we evaluate each case on an individual basis, there may be some exceptions.
Healthy Goals and Expectations
It is our goal to provide you with the safest and most effective care possible. We also strive to ensure our procedures can match your personal expectations. This is why, during the course of your first consultation, we will ask what you hope to achieve from breast reduction.
It’s important to have this procedure at the behest of your personal wishes and not those of a partner, spouse, or loved one. All surgeries require a degree of reflection to ensure you’re having them for the right reasons. We encourage you to pursue breast reduction to look and feel better for yourself – not someone else.
Set Reasonable Expectations
Although breast reduction can yield a number of powerful benefits, you must understand that every surgery has limitations. Your breasts may still be slightly different from each other, as this is a natural occurrence in most women. In addition, it may take a month or longer to see the full results, so don’t feel discouraged.
Finally, you can expect to lose one or two cup sizes, but more than that is unlikely. Surgery will follow the natural structure of your breasts, so please keep that in mind when considering your goals.
Preparing for Surgery
Prior to your procedure, we will spend time outlining your plan for surgery. This will require taking measurements of your breasts and providing care instructions to you. Some common directives include:
- Stop medications that prevent blood clotting
- Have a friend or family member available to take you home after surgery
- Take time off from work as necessary to allow recovery
- Plan to avoid activities for several days
Post Surgery Care
To ensure you properly heal, we’ll make recommendations specific to your needs. For instance, you may be advised to refrain from heavy lifting for a week or two. This will allow time for your incisions to heal and your body to adjust.
Although we will likely instruct you to refrain from vigorous exercise for a while, you may be encouraged to walk in the days after your procedure. This will stimulate blood flow to speed the healing process and also prevent blood clots. We’ll also schedule follow-up appointments in our office so the doctor can monitor your progress.
Time for a Change
You know your options, you’ve thought about it long enough, now it’s time for a change. Breast reduction surgery can help you achieve a more youthful silhouette, restore your confidence, and give you back an active lifestyle. It can also eliminate the pain that persists day in and day out.