Breast Reduction

The physical and emotional challenges of contending with large and heavy breasts can make daily life very difficult. In addition to dominating an individual’s physical appearance, an excessive breast size often causes debilitating neck, back, and shoulder pain that can limit or strain mobility. For women who wish to attain a more manageable breast size that exists proportionately to their silhouette, breast reduction is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess breast skin, fat, and tissue in order to reshape the breasts for an improved body contour. This breast enhancement typically has very high satisfaction rates and can be a dynamic way to reduce the burdens of a disproportionate breast size, such as body pain, poorly-fitting clothing, labored breathing, and other symptoms.

• Breast Reduction Candidates
• Breast Reduction Benefits
• Breast Reduction Procedure
• Breast Reduction Recovery

Who is a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

If you are concerned with an overbearing breast appearance, or if you wish to diminish the physical symptoms caused by overly large breasts, this procedure may be a long-lasting solution to achieve the enhancement you desire. Generally speaking, breast reduction can benefit women who experience:

• Hanging or pendulous breasts, with nipples pointing downward
• Body pain and limitations on physical activity
• Difficulty finding clothing that fits properly
• Skin rashes and irritation from bra strap indentations
• Poor posture or labored breathing
• A breast appearance that dominates their body contour

• Reshape the breasts, such that they are lighter and more comfortable on the body
• Reduce the physical pain and discomfort caused by large breasts
• Provide a moderate lift to the breasts for a more rejuvenated aesthetic
• Raise the nipple-areolar complexes to a more central location on the breast mound
• Reduce the size of the nipple-areolar complexes, if necessary

Patients usually report a greater sense of aesthetic balance after surgery, as well as a significant decrease in the physical stressors associated with large breasts. Dr. Geoffrey Leber can achieve optimal results with breast reduction by tailoring the procedure according to your unique concerns, body shape, and cosmetic goals.

How is Breast Reduction Performed?

Breast reduction is usually performed under general anesthesia. For women whose breast size is primarily a result of excess fatty tissue and a significant degree of breast sag does not exist, liposuction techniques may be enough to achieve the desired outcome. Depending on how much reduction is required to achieve an excellent cosmetic result, either the periareolar, vertical, or inverted T-shaped incision will be made. Dr. Leber takes great care to minimize visible scarring when possible for a natural-looking aesthetic outcome. In general, the procedure involves reducing the size of the breasts by removing excess skin, fat, and breast tissue. The newly contoured breasts can then be lifted and reshaped to fulfill your cosmetic goals.

As an extensively experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Leber has been able to refine this procedure to preserve the cosmetic outcome of surgery longer than a traditional breast reduction. Conventionally, a breast reduction relies on the skin to support the reshaped breasts in their newly lifted position on the chest wall. This often leads to recurrent ptosis, or the breasts “bottoming out,” as breast skin continues to stretch and lose elasticity to the aging process. Dr. Leber uses a cutting-edge technique that he developed known as the “Dermal Wing Reduction,” which allows the breasts to depend less on overlying skin for support, and more on internal structures. Acting similarly to an internal bra, the Dermal Wing Reduction uses the dermis that is normally discarded during the procedure to suspend and repair fallen breast tissue. The skin can then be re-draped around the newly elevated breast tissue. By utilizing a patient’s own tissue to support the breasts, a greater amount of upper breast pole volume is usually achieved for improved fullness and a rejuvenated breast shape that has a minimized risk of recurrent ptosis when compared to traditional techniques.

What is Recovery Like for Breast Reduction?

After breast reduction, patients will experience temporary bruising and swelling in the treatment areas. This should fade as the healing process progresses, but any discomfort can be managed well with oral pain medications. To minimize swelling and facilitate your recovery, a supportive bra should be worn for a few days following surgery. While normal activities can usually be resumed in a few days, aerobic exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided until cleared by Dr. Leber. Once the healing process is complete, patients typically express immense satisfaction in a new breast size and shape that exists in greater harmony to their body frame. The surgery’s ability to diminish the physical pain and discomfort usually associated with overly large breasts is often considered life-changing.

If you have questions about breast reduction, or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leber, please contact our practice today.