Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction surgery is a procedure that can help both men and women feel more confident about their appearance. It can also reduce pain caused by heavy breast tissue. Dr. Perrotta, Dr. Luppens, and Dr. Kerestes have performed countless successful breast reductions using advanced techniques that not only reduce the breasts, but also lift them at the same time.

Goals Of A Breast Reduction

Candidates For Breast Reduction

Women who have large, heavy breasts, which may be the cause of back, shoulder, and breast pain, poor posture, bra-strap indentations, and/or rashes under the breasts
Women who have excessive breast size, which may decrease their sense of attractiveness and self-confidence or make it difficult to find properly fitting clothing
Women who have one breast significantly larger than the other
Men with excessively large breasts

What to Expect at your Consultation

Dr. Perrotta, Dr. Luppens, and Dr. Kerestes will devote as much time as necessary to discuss your individual goals and needs with you. After a focused physical examination, your surgeon will provide preliminary recommendations and explain what you can expect from surgery.

Once your surgeon determines his surgical plan, our aesthetic coordinator will produce a written quote, which lists all costs of your proposed surgery so that there are no surprises. At that time, an appointment is set for your pre-op visit.

Pre-Op Visit

Much is covered during your pre-op visit. First, one of our highly trained medical assistants will take pre-op photos. Next, your surgeon will explain the surgical technique to you and thoroughly inform you as to what you can expect, including any potential complications. Note that all procedures involve some risk, but major complications are rare. Dr. Perrotta, Dr. Luppens or Dr. Kerestes will then obtain a more complete medical history from you and perform a final pre-op physical examination, including a check of your vital functions to ensure that you are physically fit for surgery. All informed consents for surgery will be filled out at this appointment and final payments are due at this time. You will be notified 24 hours prior to your surgery with your arrival time.

The Breast Reduction Surgery

Dr. Perrotta, Dr. Luppens, and Dr. Kerestes are able to perform breast reduction surgery with general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Most patients leave the surgery center or hospital on the day of surgery. Older patients or those with significant health risks stay overnight in the hospital and leave the following morning.

The design of the incisions can vary but usually includes an incision around the nipple-areolar complex, one from the complex down to the crease under the breast and a third running along this crease. In some cases, the surgeon can use the vertical breast reduction technique, which avoids the long scar running along the crease.

After the incisions are made, the nipple-areolar complex is moved upward to the desired location, and excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed.

Dr. Perrotta, Dr. Luppens, and Dr. Kerestes often use drains, which remove any fluid or blood that would otherwise accumulate under the skin after they close the incisions. The surgical team covers the incisions with gauze dressings and applies a post-operative garment or ace bandages.

Post-Op Recovery

In the recovery room, the nurses will teach you and/or your caregivers how to care for the drains. Read more about drain care. Any initial discomfort will subside daily and can be controlled with pain medications. Most patients are off narcotic pain medication by day five after surgery. You will be scheduled for a post-op visit 3-5 days after your procedure and 2-3 post-op visits thereafter.

You should be able to return to desk work after two weeks and physical work after three weeks. Some people will experience diminished sensation of the nipples and/or parts of the breast. This usually improves with time, however. A significant percentage of patients will experience some limited wounding along the incisions, which is due to the body’s attempt to eliminate some of the deep stiches. These sores eventually heal, but healing could take more than a month. Scars usually fade within 6-12 months.

Following breast reduction surgery, if you bear a child and decide to breast feed, you should expect to produce breast milk of lesser volume than normal and of inferior quality. Your baby will probably require some type of formula to supplement your breast milk.

FAQ’s

Who is a good candidate?

Ideal candidates for breast reduction include women and men who experience discomfort due to large, heavy breasts. Women suffering from back pain, poor posture, skin rashes under the breasts, and difficulty finding suitable clothing are good candidates, as well as men with enlarged breasts.

When will I see the results?

Results are immediately noticeable after surgery, with the final shape becoming more apparent as swelling and bruising subside over the following months.

How long do the results last?

Breast reduction results are generally permanent, although significant weight gain, hormonal changes, or pregnancy can alter breast size and shape in the future.

What should I do before and after?

Before surgery, patients should follow their surgeon’s instructions, including managing medications and preparing for recovery. Post-surgery, patients must wear support garments, manage drainage tubes if used, and follow activity restrictions to facilitate healing.

Is there any downtime or side effects?

Patients typically return home the same day but may require an overnight stay to monitor if they are older or have significant health risks. Temporary pain, swelling, and bruising are common side effects. Downtime generally involves a few weeks off work and reduced physical activity.

What can I expect?

During the consultation, surgical goals and expectations are discussed. The procedure usually involves anesthesia and multiple incisions to remove excess tissue and realign the nipple. Recovery includes regular follow-up visits to monitor healing and manage any complications.

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Breast Reduction