Download and print before-and-after Breast Reduction instructions here.
Large breasts can be the root of physical problems such as back or shoulder pain. The weight of big breasts can make the straps of a bra cut into the skin. Their heaviness also means that physical activities and exercise are uncomfortable. Stereotypically, a large chest may be considered sexy, but the truth is, disproportionately big breasts can draw unwanted attention, decreasing a woman’s self-esteem. Luckily, the issues that accompany a large chest can often be resolved with a breast reduction procedure.
Breast Reduction Expected Results:
- Reduce the volume of a large chest
- Eliminate sagging and drooping breast tissue
- Improve appearance, shape and size of areolas which may have stretched and enlarged with time
- Restore a youthful, raised chest that will help a woman regain confidence in her body.
| PROCEDURE SUMMARY | |
|---|---|
| What is the pain level after the surgery? | Mild to Moderate |
| Anesthesia type (if applicable) | General anesthesia |
| Duration of Surgery | 3-4 hours |
| Where will scaring for this procedure be? | Lollipop incision: circling around the areola, running downward from the nipple |
| Timeframe to begin showing final results | 2-3weeks |
| When is the patient able to return to regular activities? | 1 week |
| When is the patient able to resume exercise? | 2-3 weeks |
| Cost of surgeon’s fee | $7,000 – $9,000 |
Ideal Candidate for a Breast Reduction
Any woman struggling with a large, weighty chest may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. The reduction mammoplasty procedure can be performed at any age, although the best candidate will be a woman with fully developed breast tissue. Patients should be in generally good health, with reasonable expectations for their results. Women should have a keen understanding of the breast reduction process and the recovery requirements. It is also recommended that potential candidates for the reduction mammoplasty be a non-smoker. Women looking for assistance with smoking cessation should discuss this factor with Dr. Erica Anderson during the consultation appointment.
Good Candidates for Breast Reduction:
- Are struggling with pendulous large breasts that makes them uncomfortable with their appearance.
- Have asymmetric or uneven breasts, one breast is larger than the other
- Experience skin irritation along and beneath the breast crease
- Experience discomfort from a heavy chest restricting physical activities
- Have back, neck and shoulder pain due to the heavy weight of the breasts
- Have indentations along the shoulders from tight bra straps
- Are physically healthy
- Have realistic expectations
- Are in good health
- Do not have any medical conditions that may delay and impair wound healing
- Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for what breast reduction surgery can accomplish
- Are Non-smokers
Breast Reduction Surgical Technique
The breast reduction procedure will be performed at a nearby accredited surgical center or hospital, on an outpatient basis. The reduction mammoplasty will take about three to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of correction, and if any additional procedures are included. You will be placed under general anesthesia.
STEPS TO PERFORMING A BREAST REDUCTION
STEP 1: Inverted T incision. An incision circling the areola, running downward from the nipple, and then across the natural curve of the breast crease will be made
STEP 2: Removal of excess skin and fatty tissue. Unwanted glandular and fatty tissue as well as excess skin will be excised.
STEP 3: Areola Reconstruction and Repositioning. If needed the surgeon will resize and reshape the areola to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and location.
STEP 4: Closure of incisions. All incisions will be meticulously and delicately closed to achieve the smallest scar possible
STEP 5: Post-Surgery Bra. A post-surgical bra will be put on to provide support for the newly reshaped breasts.
Cost
There are a variety of factors that determine the overall cost of your Breast Reduction.
For more detailed pricing information visit here.
- Surgeons fee: $7,000 – $9,000
- Anesthesia Fee – depends on length of procedure
- Hospital and Surgical Facility Fees: depends on length of procedure
- Post-Surgery Garments: included with surgeon’s fee at The Naderi Center
- Pre-surgical Medical Clearance and lab tests: usually covered by medical insurance
- Medication Costs: usually covered by medical insurance
- Follow-up Visits: Included with surgeon’s fee at The Naderi Center
Preparation
At The Naderi Center we believe the success of your breast reduction surgery can be improved with proper preparation. We go above and beyond to make sure that our patients are medically, emotionally and physically ready for surgery.
Please review our detailed instructions on Breast Reduction in link below.
Download and print before-and-after Breast Reduction instructions here.
Recovery after a Breast Reduction
Women should expect the recovery from a breast reduction to take from one to two weeks. Most people are ready to return to work in five to seven days, sometimes less. Exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities need to be postponed for six to eight weeks, to allow the breasts to properly heal.
There will be some mild to moderate discomfort following a reduction mammoplasty, although this will resolve over the first several days. Dr. Anderson will take care of the discomfort by prescribing needed medications during this time period. A specialized, surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks.
A scar will result from the breast reduction procedure. This will run along the incision lines: around the areola, down the mid-breast, and along the breast crease. Over time, the scar may fade somewhat, although it will remain visible. Most patients are so pleased with their reduction mammoplasty results that they are not unhappy with the scarring, which can be concealed under clothing. The breast reduction is known to have one of the highest patient satisfaction rating of all cosmetic procedures.
See instructions below for more detailed information on recovery after a breast lift.
Risks, Safety and Potential Complications of Breast Reduction Surgery
The Reduction Mammoplasty has been performed by plastic surgeons for decades. Women should only put their trust in a skilled cosmetic surgeon, such as Dr. Anderson who has years of experience with breast reduction surgery. With a reputable board certified plastic surgeon you can be rest assured that you will lower the chance of complications and give the most satisfying reduction mammoplasty results.
Possible Complications after a Breast Reduction can Include:
- Risks of General Anesthesia
- Excessive Bleeding
- Skin changes or discoloration
- Poor incision healing
- Fluid accumulation or what is known as a seroma
- Nerve Damage or numbness on the skin
- Change in nipple sensation
- Asymmetry or contour abnormalities
- Infection
- Potential impact on future breast feeding
- Death of fatty tissue or fat necrosis
- Need for revision surgery
Breast Reduction Specialist Dr. Erica Anderson
First step for a reduction mammoplasty will initially call for a breast reduction consultation. Dr. Anderson will take this time to get to know the individual patient’s physical situation, as well as her desired results. She will take a full medical history and perform a physical evaluation. Next, Dr. Anderson will explain the techniques for breast reduction and any questions will be answered at this time. If the reduction mammoplasty is determined to be the best option, Dr. Anderson will draw up a detailed surgical plan. At this time, the exact price of the breast reduction will be established, and a patient coordinator will review all of the payment options.
Schedule your Breast Reduction Consultation
Known as a leader in cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, the Naderi Center has been serving patients in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. area for more than 10 years. The Naderi Center is known for being the source of physicians and surgeons that are ultra-specialised in their realm and scope of practice. Patient’s come to The Naderi Center when they want an expert on the procedure or condition they aBreast Reduction Specialist Dr. Erica AndersonBreast Reduction Specialist Dr. Erica AndersonBreast Reduction Specialist Dr. Erica Andersonre trying to improve. Contact one of the Naderi Center’s two offices for more information, or to schedule your breast reduction consultation. A patient coordinator can be reached at our Reston, Virginia office at 703.481.0002 and at our Chevy Chase, Maryland office at 301.222.2020.
Breast Reduction Questions to Ask
What is a breast reduction?
The breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of heavy, pendulous breasts. The surgery can relieve strain on the back, neck, and shoulders by making the breasts a more proportionate, comfortable size.
How is Dr. Anderson’s breast reduction performed?
Dr. Anderson begins the breast reduction by making an inverted T-incision (around the nipple, down the breast, and horizontally across the breast crease). From here, she will remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. If needed, she will use liposuction to better sculpt the breasts. The nipples can be reshaped and repositioned before sutures are placed.
Am I a good candidate for a breast reduction?
You may make a good candidate for a breast reduction if you are in overall good health, do not smoke, and are unhappy with the size of your chest.
How long does Dr. Anderson’s breast reduction procedure take?
The length of a reduction mammoplasty will depend on the individual patient. On average, Dr. Anderson’s breast reductions will take between three and five hours to complete.
When can I return to work after my breast reduction procedure?
Patients are generally ready to return to work three to five days after their breast reduction.