Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size and weight of overly large breasts. This procedure is typically sought after by women who experience physical discomforts, such as chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain, skin irritation, and difficulty finding clothes that fit comfortably.

In addition to physical discomfort, overly large breasts can cause emotional and psychological distress, such as low self-esteem and self-consciousness due to undesired body proportions. Breast reduction surgery involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and reshaping the remaining tissue to create a smaller and more proportional breast size.

Breast Reduction Procedure Overview

One of the most common reasons that patients choose to undergo the breast reduction procedure is due to excessively large breasts or breast asymmetry. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to reshape the breasts, usually by removing tissue. Generally, breast reduction patients express significant relief afterward.

Reasons Women Choose a Breast Reduction

Women choose to undergo breast reduction surgery for a variety of reasons, including:

• Physical discomfort, such as neck pain
• shoulder grooves from bra straps
• Difficulty with physical activities
• Self-esteem issues
• Difficulty finding clothing that fits
• Breast asymmetry
• Medical conditions

While getting breast implants can improve the quality of life for women with lighter breasts, those with exceptionally large breasts can benefit from breast reduction to alleviate some of the aforementioned conditions and concerns. For example, drooping breasts can be caused by excess weight, leading to discomfort and low self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery can help make breasts perkier and more lightweight.

How is Breast Reduction Performed?

Great question! Breast reduction surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and involves the following steps:

1. The surgeon makes incision lines around the areola complex and down to the breast crease.
2. Excess fat, breast tissue, and skin, are removed, and the remaining tissue is reshaped and lifted to create a smaller, more proportional breast size.
3. The incisions are closed with sutures, and a surgical bra or dressing is applied to support the breasts during the healing process.

Breast reduction techniques used during surgery may vary depending on the patient’s needs and the surgeon’s preferences. Common techniques include the anchor, vertical, and horizontal pattern methods. Dr. Ahmadi will discuss the technique best suits you during the initial consultation.

The Breast Reduction Consultation

During your breast reduction consultation, Dr. Ahmdai will examine your medical history and assess your breast size and shape. Dr. Ahmadi will then discuss your expectations and goals for the procedure and any potential risks and complications.

Dr. Ahmadi will take measurements of the breasts and evaluate the nipple position, skin elasticity, and breast symmetry. He will also discuss the surgical techniques available for breast reduction, such as the anchor, vertical, donut, or horizontal pattern method, and recommend the best technique and treatment plan for you.

Breast Reduction Candidates

The ideal candidate for breast reduction is one who experiences physical and emotional discomfort and limitations due to overly large breasts. Breast reduction performed on these women typically relieves that discomfort and creates more aesthetically-pleasing breasts.

What Do You Want From a Breast Reduction Surgery?

In breast reduction surgery, the goal is to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to achieve a more proportional breast size and shape that harmonizes with the patient’s body. The surgery should also address any physical discomfort or limitations caused by overly large breasts, such as neck, back, and shoulder pain, skin irritation, and difficulty participating in physical activities.

Ideally, the breasts should be lifted and reshaped to create a more youthful and natural appearance, with the nipple and areola repositioned on the breast mound. The surgical incisions should be well-hidden and fade over time, leaving few, if any, breast reduction scars.

What to Expect During Breast Reduction Surgery

So much depends on the specific procedure being performed. Generally speaking, however, patients can expect a significant reduction in breast size, improved shape and position, and a more balanced and symmetrical appearance. Breast reduction recovery times range from about three weeks to about six weeks.

Am I a Candidate For The “Short Scar” Breast Reduction Procedure?

The “short scar” breast reduction procedure is a type of breast reduction surgery that uses a shorter incision technique to reduce scarring and recovery time. This procedure avoids the inframammary fold scar. This procedure may suit patients with mild to moderate breast sagging who do not require significant tissue removal.

Candidates for the “short scar” breast reduction procedure are typically women with good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin. They should have realistic expectations for the procedure and good overall health. This procedure may not be suitable for women with very large breasts or significant breast sagging, as more extensive tissue removal and reshaping may be required.

Breast Reduction in Houston With Dr. Ahmadi

Searching “breast reduction Houston” or “breast reduction Houston TX” can yield many results for obtaining breast reduction surgery in Houston. If you’re looking for quality breast reduction in Houston, look no further than Dr. Ahmadi, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Avante Plastic Surgery. 

Read on to learn more about what you can expect from receiving breast reduction in Houston with Dr. Ahmadi and more general information about what to expect with the procedure!

Will I Be Able to Breastfeed?

Breast reduction surgery can affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed, as the procedure involves removing some of the glandular tissue and ducts in the breast that produce and transport milk. However, it is still possible for some women to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery.

The extent to which breast reduction surgery affects breastfeeding depends on several factors, including the amount of glandular tissue removed, the surgical technique used, and the location of the incisions. Generally, the more tissue removed, the greater the risk of breastfeeding difficulties.

If you plan to have children and breastfeed in the future, it is important to discuss this with Dr. Ahmadi during the consultation process. Dr. Ahmadi can help assess the patient’s individual situation and make recommendations based on your goals and priorities.

In some cases, it may be possible to preserve more of the glandular tissue and ducts during the surgery to increase the chances of successful breastfeeding later. It’s important to remember that breastfeeding success is not guaranteed after breast reduction surgery, and every woman’s situation is unique.

Breast Reduction Scars

As with any surgery, scarring is a normal part of the healing process with breast reduction. The extent and location of scarring after the surgery will depend on the surgical technique used and the individual patient’s healing process.

Several common incision patterns are used in breast reduction surgery, including the anchor, lollipop, and periareolar techniques:

• The anchor technique involves incisions around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease, resulting in an anchor-shaped scar.
• The lollipop technique involves a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision down to the breast crease, resulting in a lollipop-shaped scar.
• The periareolar technique involves a circular incision around the areola, resulting in a typically less noticeable scar.

While scars are a natural part of the healing process, Dr. Ahmadi takes steps to minimize scarring and promote optimal healing. This may include using techniques to minimize tension on the incision lines, using absorbable sutures, and providing specific post-operative instructions for wound care.

It’s important to remember that every patient’s healing process is unique, and the extent of scarring will vary from person to person. Generally, breast-reduction surgery scars tend to fade over time and become less noticeable. It’s important for patients to follow any post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring.

What Can You Expect on the Day of Your Breast Reduction Procedure in Houston, Texas?

The short and honest answer? Surgery and some discomfort. Most breast reduction procedures involve a recovery period in which patients are monitored by medical staff as they wake from anesthesia. You may experience some swelling and bruising in the first few days after the surgery, and pain medication will be prescribed to manage any discomfort.

How Big Do Your Breasts, Need to Be to Get a Reduction?

There is no specific size requirement for getting a breast reduction, as every woman’s body is unique. The decision to undergo breast reduction surgery is based on individual factors such as physical symptoms and personal preferences.

Breast reduction surgery is typically recommended for women with large, heavy breasts that cause physical discomfort and interfere with daily activities such as exercise, clothing choices, and posture. Symptoms such as back pain and skin irritation in the breast crease are common reasons for seeking breast reduction surgery.

In addition to physical symptoms, many women undergo breast reduction surgery to improve their body image and overall quality of life. Ultimately, the decision to undergo breast reduction surgery should be based on carefully evaluating individual needs and goals rather than a specific breast size threshold.

How Many Cup Sizes Can You Go Down With a Breast Reduction?

The number of cup sizes that a person can go down with a breast reduction surgery varies depending on several factors, including the initial size of the breasts and the amount of breast tissue removed during the surgery.

As a general guideline, most women can expect to go down at least one to two cup sizes after a breast reduction procedure. Some women may go down even more, depending on their individual circumstances.

How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost in Houston, Texas?

As with most places, breast reduction in Houston depends on several factors, including surgical techniques and the amount of breast tissue removed. Contact our office today to learn more about breast reduction costs in relation to your specific needs.

Is a Breast Reduction Worth It?

Absolutely! If you’re suffering from the negative physical or mental effects of very large breasts, reduction surgery can improve your life. You will get relief from discomfort and can improve your self-confidence with breasts that are more proportional to your body.

Is There a Weight Requirement For Breast Reduction?

There is no specific weight requirement for breast reduction surgery. The suitability for the surgery is not based on weight alone but rather on a variety of factors. It’s worth noting that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery.

What Size Breasts Qualify For Reduction?

While no specific bra size or breast measurement automatically qualifies someone for breast reduction surgery, women with especially large breasts may experience additional discomfort and thus seek surgery.

What is the Downside of Breast Reduction Surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, breast reduction surgery has potential risks and downsides. These include scarring, temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipples and breasts and difficulty breastfeeding. These side effects may be noticeable immediately, the day after surgery, or even further down the road.

How Do I Choose a Breast Reduction Surgeon?

Choosing the right breast reduction surgeon is an important decision that can significantly impact the procedure’s outcome. You want to look for someone board certified and with ample experience working with different types of patients.

Dr. Ahmadi is an experienced surgeon with an eye for perfection and is among the leading cosmetic surgeons in the Houston area. In addition to breast augmentation and breast lift services, Dr. Ahmadi offers “LipoTuck,” a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction.

His work with multiple types of surgeries makes him one of the best surgeon options for those in the Houston area.

What is the Average Cost of a Breast Reduction in Texas?

The average cost for breast reduction surgery starts at $9000. The specific amount you can expect to pay will likely depend on the type of procedure you want to be performed and what extra services, if any, you require.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahmadi today to better understand what breast reduction surgery may cost you!