Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction Considerations

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that involves the removal of fat, glandular tissue, and skin from your breasts in order to reduce the size, and alleviate some of the issues caused by large breasts. Ideal candidates for breast reduction are at a healthy, stable weight, and may struggle with the following issues:

• Back, neck, or shoulder pain
• Rashes or other skin irritations under your breasts
• Poor posture from the weight of your breasts
• Difficulty finding clothing that fits properly over your breasts
• Loss of confidence because of your breast size

It is important to note that if you are considering breast reduction surgery, you may want to wait until after you are finished having children. Weight gain from pregnancy and the effects of breastfeeding can impact the size and shape of your breasts. Additionally, although it still may be possible to breast feed after undergoing the procedure, breast reduction may negatively affect your ability to breastfeed successfully, so these are topics you will want to discuss with Dr. Terrasse prior to undergoing surgery.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

If you are looking to decrease the size or reduce the shape of your breasts, then you are likely going to be a good candidate for a thorough breast reduction consultation by Dr. Terrasse who performs hundreds of such procedures each year at Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery and ERASE MediSpa.

Dr. Terrasse will evaluate your medical history, exam you and take photographs so that he can present your case to your insurance company, if appropriate and desired. Being totally honest about your specific situation and health history is best so that he can properly focus his efforts to help you have a safe, effective and satisfying procedure.

In general, the best candidates typically:

• Do not smoke
• Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol
• Do not use unprescribed medications
• Have an active lifestyle
• Are near their ideal weight
• Are finished nursing children or understand that it is not possible to guarantee that there may be a chance of not being able to breast feed subsequently

It is also paramount that you have realistic expectations about what your breast reduction can achieve alone.

You should only decide to have a procedure to achieve your own physical and aesthetic goals, not satisfy someone else’s desires.

How Should I Prepare for Breast Reduction?

You will be given a comprehensive list of preoperative instructions to follow in the days, weeks and maybe even months leading up to your surgery. It is important that you follow these instructions as closely as possible because they will contain information about how to handle medications, nicotine and other essential factors.

Each of these steps is designed to give you the best chance of having a successful and safe breast reduction. If you have any questions, Dr. Terrasse is there for you so you can be confident in your decision to move forward with what, for over 90% of his patients, is a procedure that they end up stating that they wish they had done it sooner.

Can I Combine My Breast Reduction with Other Procedures?

Yes, breast reduction may sometimes be combined with many different aesthetic surgeries. Some of the most common are liposuction or even an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. All of these pairings help accentuate the curvature of your new breast shape and help achieve that overall better proportioned look you might prefer.

In some cases, women will choose to combine several procedures into a more extensive Mommy Makeover procedure, which can address vast areas of your body at once. They are called Mommy Makeovers because they often focus on reversing some of the impacts of pregnancy, childbirth and nursing, but similar body changes occur to the body during large weight fluctuations as well. Long story short: Mommy Makeovers are not just for moms.

Breast Reduction Recovery and Results

After your surgery, you will most likely wear a supportive soft bra to help shape your breasts and help reduce swelling. You will need to rest and let yourself heal properly for the first couple of weeks, but that includes walking around to keep your blood circulating and reduce the risk of blood clots. It is important to follow Dr. Terrasse’s post-surgery instructions to help ensure that you heal properly, including keeping your physical activity to a safe level during the first few weeks.

You will gradually be able to get back to your daily activities, although for the first couple of weeks, you should not lift more than five to ten pounds, and should try not to raise your arms above your head. You will most likely be able to return to more strenuous or high-impact exercise after about four to six weeks.