Excessively large breasts can cause neck, back, and shoulder pain, rashes under the breast, and make finding appropriately sized clothes difficult. A breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) can ease your physical discomfort, enhance body contours, and boost your self-confidence. If you live in Mansfield and desire a breast reduction, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew H. Steele offers this breast procedure to women who are ready to address their pain and improve their confidence.
Breast reduction is a surgical intervention to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. The surgery can ease aches and pains in your back, neck, and shoulders caused by exceedingly large breasts. A breast reduction can improve your breast symmetry and will leave you with a more proportionate breast size and shape for your body. Dr. Steele consults with each patient to understand your reasons for the reduction, identify your preferred size, and lay out a specific treatment plan that works for you.
Breast reduction can benefit Mansfield patients who experience physical discomfort, ill-fitting clothing, or poor self-confidence due to oversized breasts. Large areolas and a bent-over posture are also common reasons why you may desire this procedure. Women whose breast size keeps them from enjoying sports or other fitness activities are ideal candidates for this surgery.
During your consultation, Dr. Steele will speak with you regarding your objectives, medical history, and any specific concerns to make sure that you are a good candidate for surgery. You should be close to your ideal weight, non-smoking, and have realistic expectations. Getting a breast reduction does not prevent you from having children in the future, but it may reduce your ability to breastfeed in some cases.
Your breast reduction surgery will occur in an accredited out-patient surgical center under general anesthesia. Before surgery, Dr. Steele will meticulously mark your breasts with a surgical plan that will result in a smaller, more shapely breast that sits higher on your chest wall. Excess breast tissue, skin, and fat is removed while preserving upper pole breast tissue and the nipple/areolar complex. In many cases, liposuction will be added to remove excess fat in front of the arm pit and lateral to the breast. The procedure usually lasts 3-4 hours, and you will go home the same day.
Most patients will require an inverted “T” or anchor incision to remove the excess skin, but some patients may only require a “lollipop” incision if they have a small reduction. Your scars will fade with time, and Dr. Steele will provide options for optimal scar care. Protecting your skin from sun exposure and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help the scars cleanly fade.
Mansfield patients who get a breast reduction should expect some mild discomfort, swelling, and some possible bruising. Dr. Steele’s enhanced recovery protocol will help minimize your pain and the need for narcotic pain medications. Dr. Steele will provide specific aftercare instructions and recommendations on activity and use of a postoperative bra.
For most desk jobs, you should be cleared to return to work in a few days. Patients will need to refrain from cardiovascular exercise for 3 weeks and avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks.
If you live in Mansfield and are looking for a breast reduction procedure to improve your comfort and confidence, Matthew H. Steele, MD invites you to come to our office for a consultation. It is important that you feel comfortable in your body and we have many options available for your concerns. Your results will be long lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.
