(503) 488-2344
How to Know if Breast Reduction is Right for You
Breast reduction is a popular cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce and reshape the size of the breasts. The surgery can help alleviate discomfort and improve self-confidence. However, before you decide to undergo breast reduction, it’s important to understand the procedure. Let’s take a look at what it is, why you may want one, and what the procedure entails.
What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction, also referred to as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue and skin, The surgeon will also reshape the breasts to ensure they are proportionate to the rest of the body. The procedure is often performed under general anesthesia and takes between 3 to 4 hours to complete.
Why You May Want A Breast Reduction
There are many reasons why you may want breast reduction surgery. Two of the most common reasons include:
Physical Discomfort
Women with large breasts may experience back, neck, nerve, and shoulder pain as well as skin irritation underneath the breasts. The breasts may even limit how much physical activity you do. Breast reduction surgery can help alleviate all these symptoms and lead to an improved quality of life.
Self-consciousness
Women with larger breasts may feel self-conscious about their appearance. It can make finding clothes that fit difficult and you may feel like people are looking at you when you engage in physical activities because of your breasts. Breast reduction surgery can help improve your self-confidence and your body image.
Who Is A Candidate For Breast Reduction?
Ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery are women who:
- are in good physical and mental health.
- are bothered by the size of their breasts.
- have back, neck, or shoulder pain due to the size of their breasts.
- have shoulder indentations due to bra straps.
- have skin irritation beneath the breast crease.
- have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery
- are non-smokers or willing to quit smoking before and after the surgery.
It is also important to discuss your medical history, medication, and expectations with your doctor to determine if breast reduction surgery is right for you.
Breast Reduction Recovery
After the surgery, patients will need to wear a special surgical bra to support the breasts as they heal. Most patients can return to work within 2 weeks, but you should avoid strenuous activities for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Additionally, it is important to follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and the best results and to minimize the risk of complications.
Benefits Associated With Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery offers a number of different benefits to women who choose to undergo the procedure. Some of the benefits you might see include:
- Physical Comfort: Breast reduction can help with any back, neck, or shoulder pain you are feeling. After the procedure, you may not feel any of that pain at all.
- Improved Body Proportions: Breast reduction surgery can help reduce the size of your breasts and reshape them to better fit the proportions of your body and give you a more balanced look overall.
- Improved Quality of Life: whether it be better self-confidence, lack of pain, or the fact that you can engage in physical activities more easily, you may notice your quality of life significantly improve after the recovery period.
- Better-Fitting Clothes: Finding clothes can be so difficult when you have large breasts. But after breast reduction surgery, you’ll likely find that it’s a much easier task. You may even start wearing things you never thought you could before.
Schedule A Consultation
Now that you’ve learned more about breast reduction surgery and its many benefits, does it sound like it’s right for you? If you’re considering the surgery, please contact Dr. Fichadia’s office today. You can call us at our Portland, OR office or use our online form. As a double-board certified surgeon, Dr. Fichadia will help you through the whole process step-by-step.
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
