Breast Reduction
Restoring Comfort and Balance
Breast size and weight can play a significant role in daily comfort and quality of life. When breasts are too large or heavy for the body, they can lead to physical symptoms of discomfort and interfere with the joy of fitting into clothing and swimsuits. For those who can relate to these frustrations, a breast reduction is a unique procedure that allows women to reclaim a sense of comfort and balance in their bodies.
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What Is a Breast Reduction?
A breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of large breasts. It also includes a breast lift, reshaping the them to be perkier for a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance. The life-changing surgery has many benefits, including:
- Relief from discomfort due to heavy breasts: Patients with large breasts often experience neck & back pain, irritated skin, and shoulder indentations from bra straps digging into the skin. Reduction can alleviate these issues by lightening the weight of the breasts and distributing it more evenly.
- Posture improvement: A decrease in size can help encourage better posture by reducing strain on the spine and neck, which can have positive effects on multiple aspects of one’s life.
- Enhanced self-confidence: Achieving a smaller, more balanced chest through reduction surgery can provide patients with increased satisfaction with their appearance, leading to improved self-esteem and confidence.
- Easier fitting of clothing: Oversized breasts can make it difficult to find clothes that fit well. Reduction can help patients feel better in their clothing and bras.
- Improved lifestyle: Imagine the freedom of enjoying life without having to wear a tight bra every day and being able to jog and dance without heavy breasts.
Who Is a Candidate?
Dr. Min will assess you to determine whether breast reduction surgery is a suitable option for you. There is no strict age cut off for this procedure. If you are a teenager with large and heavy breasts, you can undergo this procedure as long as they have not been growing any bigger in size for at least a year. Generally, ideal candidates are:
- In good overall health.
- Not breastfeeding or pregnant.
- Non-smokers before and after the surgery.
- Without concerning findings on a recent mammogram in the past year (if over 35 years of age).
- Free from any medical conditions that could impair healing.
Breast Reduction Incision Types
Breast reduction procedures generally come in two incision types: Vertical (a “lollipop” incision) or Wise-pattern (an “anchor” incision). Every woman’s unique chest anatomy and shapes will determine which incision pattern would be necessary to achieve the most balanced results. Dr. Min, being a scar minimalist, will help you achieve the shortest possible scar of either type.
An Overview
During your initial consultation, we will discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations and assess the condition of your breasts to determine if moving forward is the right choice. For those patients with very thin skin and tissue, extra mesh reinforcement may be recommended to help with long-term results. Once you are ready to regain the comfort that your breasts have prevented you from achieving, the breast reduction procedure is performed under general anesthesia and will last about 4 hours. Dr. Min will use her artist’s eyes and skillful hands to deliver beautiful results. No surgical drains are placed during this procedure. After the procedure, the removed tissue will be sent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s pathology lab, where a pathologist will check for any abnormalities. After awakening from anesthesia, you can go home with a responsible adult who will stay with you for the first 24 hours to ensure a safe recovery.
After the Surgery: Recovery
Seeing Your Results from a Breast Reduction
Combining a Breast Reduction With Other Procedures
Many women carry extra bulk in adjacent areas, such as the pinchable tissue next to the armpit area or the excess fatty tissue along the sides of the breasts. Dr. Min may recommend liposuction for these areas to help achieve an improved aesthetic contour for the chest as a whole. Other patients may choose to pair a breast reduction with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or more extensive liposuction to achieve comprehensive body contouring. During your consultation, we can work with you to explore possible combinations with your reduction procedure.
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Meet Dr. Elise Min
Dr. Elise Min, a distinguished female plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, is renowned for her unique expertise in breast and body surgery. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Min is celebrated for her personal approach to aesthetic surgery and her exceptional patient care. She places great emphasis on educating her patients, allowing them to make informed decisions about their treatment.