Excessively large breasts can take a physical and emotional toll on a woman. The back and neck pain, headaches, poor posture, tingling in the hands and even carpal tunnel syndrome are all reasons why women seek a breast reduction. Women who have overly large breasts may avoid participating in certain activities or exercise. They may be self-conscious, and avoid social situations. A breast reduction by Dr. Silverman offers women the relief they seek and a more proportional contour to their body.
How does surgery work?
Breast reduction surgery consists of removing fat, glandular tissue and excess skin from the breasts to reduce the overall size of the breasts. The nipple/areola complex will be repositioned, and enlarged areolae, which is the darkened skin around the nipples, is often reduced to be in proportion with the breasts.
What are my options for the incision pattern?
There are two different types of incisions. The traditional incision is an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, runs vertically down to the breast crease and then follows the breast crease. The vertical, or “lollipop” incision circles the areola and runs vertically down to the breast crease. This incision type is better for women with moderately large breasts.
Will there be scarring?
No matter which incision pattern is used, there will be scarring. The incision scars will be pink for a few weeks and lighten over time. They will always be present, but with the right care, their appearance will continue to improve over time. Leave the steri-strips in place until Dr. Silverman removes them at your follow-up appointment. Wear your surgical bra and support bra as indicated during the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Keep your scars out of the sun as sun exposure can darken the sensitive skin. Use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 when in the sun. Using scar-minimizing topical treatments along with massaging the scars will help them heal more smoothly.
Breast reduction surgery has a high patient satisfaction rate, and women often say they wish they had undergone the surgery years ago. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rick Silverman by calling (617) 965-9500.