Breast Reduction

If your breasts are larger than you’d like them to be, their size can be a physical and emotional burden. Overly large breasts can lead to neck and back pain, poor posture, and issues fitting into clothes. They can also cause self-consciousness and attract unwanted attention.

Those problems are among the many reasons why women may decide to get a breast reduction. It could be a life-changing procedure that addresses your medical, emotional, and aesthetic needs. At Farris Plastic Surgery, Dr. Zachary Farris is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who is one of the premier practitioners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He’s committed to helping you look the way you’ve always wanted. Call (214) 932-1705 today to schedule a consultation.

Benefits of Breast Reduction

Breast reduction could drastically improve your physical and emotional well-being in ways such as:

• Reduced back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Ability to exercise and perform daily tasks more comfortably
• Better posture
• Improved self-image
• Access to a wider variety of bras and clothes

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

You’d likely be a good candidate for breast reduction if:

• You’re at least 18 years old
• You’re unhappy with the size and shape of your breasts
• Your breasts cause you unpleasant physical and emotional issues
• You’re in good overall health

Additionally, breast reduction candidates shouldn’t smoke. If you do smoke, you must be willing to quit before surgery and throughout your recovery. You should also talk to Dr. Farris about whether you plan to have children in the future. While a breast reduction will not impact your ability to breastfeed your kids, the physical changes brought on by pregnancy and childbirth could negatively affect your cosmetic results.

Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The entire process will take about two to three hours to complete.

Dr. Farris will make an incision around your areola, vertically down to your breast crease, and horizontally along the crease. Then he’ll remove underlying breast tissue, fat, and excess skin to reshape your breast contour. He’ll reposition your nipples and areolas and reduce the size of enlarged areolas, if necessary. Finally, he’ll tighten the breast skin and close the incisions.

Recovery After Breast Reduction

Before you’re driven home by a friend or family member, Dr. Farris will fit you for a post-operative surgical bra that you’ll wear until your first post-op visit. After that, you can wear a sports bra for comfort and support. You should be able to return to work within a day or two of your procedure.

A general timeline for the rest of your recovery is:

• 3 weeks before you can apply scar-healing products such as Vitamin E cream
• 4 weeks before you can resume exercise or strenuous activities
• 4-6 weeks before you can wear underwire bras again

Dr. Farris will also provide you with specific aftercare instructions that you should follow carefully. It may take up to six months before you see your final results as your post-operative swelling subsides.

Schedule Your Dallas-Fort Worth Breast Reduction Consultation Today

Dr. Farris is dedicated to helping his patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and surrounding locations in Texas achieve the body they’ve always desired. A breast reduction from Dr. Farris could significantly improve your physical and emotional well-being.

Call (214) 932-1705 today to schedule a consultation.

Breast reduction before and after photos.

FAQs

• Where are the scars located in a breast reduction?
  Depending on the technique used, the scar can be anchor shaped or lollipop shaped.
  The anchor shaped scar goes around the perimeter of the areola, extends down to the breast crease and continues horizontally along the breast crease. Alternatively, the lollipop shaped scar goes around the perimeter of the areola and extends down to the breast crease only.
• How long will the results last after a breast reduction?
  The results can last a very long time. However, keep in mind that weight change, pregnancy, gravity’s pull on your breasts and aging all have an effect on your breast appearance as you get older.
• Are there different types of breast reduction?
  Yes, there are different incision patterns and different pedicle patterns used for breast reduction. The best method for you will depend on the shape of your breasts and anatomy.
• Is the breast also lifted with a breast reduction?
  In addition to reducing the volume of the breasts, a breast reduction typically lifts the breasts and improves its shape and position on the chest.
• Can a breast reduction also make my breasts more symmetrical?
  Yes. By removing different amounts of tissue from each side, we can achieve better symmetry of the breasts.
• Does a breast reduction also reduce the size of the pigmented skin around the nipple?
  Yes. A breast reduction reduces the size of the pigmented skin around your nipple (areola) if it is large.
• When can I go to work after a breast reduction?
  Most people are able to return to work after 1 week as long as they’re not engaged in strenuous activity or heavy lifting.
• Will I be able to breastfeed after breast reduction?
  Depending on the extent of your breast reduction, your future ability to breastfeed may be affected. The milk ducts can get transected if an extensive reduction is performed.
• When can I wear an underwire bra?
  Typically, you may begin to wear an underwire bra 4-6 weeks after surgery. Until then, you may wear a sports bra.
• What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?
  Breast reduction offers tremendous benefits but also has risks like any other surgery. The risks for complications are low but include infection, bleeding, fluid collection, asymmetry, wound breakdown, fat or skin necrosis, decreased sensation, poor scarring and reoperation.
• Do I have to stop smoking before a breast reduction?
  Yes, this is a must. Smoking contains nicotine, which constricts small blood vessels, diminishing the blood supply to tissue. In the setting of flap-like surgery such as breast reduction, this can increase the risk of wound breakdown, tissue death and infection. You must stop smoking at least 2 weeks, preferably 2-3 months, prior to breast reduction.