Breast reduction is the surgical process of removing excess breast tissue to relieve uncomfortable symptoms of very large breasts. Based on your unique needs, Dr. Greg Gaines will use an appropriate technique at his Gainesville, FL, practice to minimize scarring and ensure the most comprehensive results. Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction has an extremely high satisfaction rate. Besides relieving painful symptoms, reducing breast size can have a positive impact on a woman’s confidence and overall quality of life.
What does breast reduction accomplish?
This popular breast procedure is primarily used to reduce the size of the breasts to alleviate physical pain in the neck, upper back, or shoulders. In addition to physical pain, excessively large breasts can cause self-esteem issues, and may even draw unwanted attention. By reducing the breast size, Dr. Gaines can create better body proportions and contours and restore a woman’s self-confidence.
Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction has an extremely high satisfaction rate.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
Consultation
The first step in the breast reduction process is to meet with Dr. Gaines. He will discuss your treatment goals with you and evaluate your breasts’ size, shape, and weight. This will help him to better determine which breast reduction technique will provide you with the greatest outcomes. For extremely large and sagging breasts, he may recommend combining your procedure with a breast lift. This will improve drooping and sagging to give you more proportionate and youthful-looking breasts.
Incision Techniques
There are different incision techniques Dr. Gaines may use to perform your breast reduction. The specific incision technique used will depend on the size and shape of your breasts and the type of tissue that is cause for the large breasts.
- Anchor Incision: The anchor pattern is the most commonly used incision technique, especially for extremely large breasts. It creates greater accessibility to the underlying tissues. This technique involves creating one horizontal incision along the breast crease, one vertical incision that extends down from the bottom of the areola to the crease, and one incision around the perimeter of the areola.
- Keyhole Incision: More commonly referred to as a lollipop incision, this technique is suited to moderately large breasts. Incisions are created around the areola and extend vertically down to the breast crease.
- Donut Incision: Also referred to as a periareolar incision, this technique creates a single incision around the perimeter of the areola and is suited to patients who need a more minor reduction.
- Microincisions: For patients whose overly large breasts is primarily due to fatty tissue, Dr. Gaines can create microincisions and use liposuction to remove the excess fat.
Surgery
Breast reduction surgery typically takes about two to four hours. Using the appropriate incision technique, Dr. Gaines will carefully remove excess breast tissue and trim away excess skin. He can reposition the breasts and nipples and address any asymmetry if needed. Once the breasts are scaled down to a more proportionate size, he will close the incisions.
Recovery
Recovery typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, you must avoid lifting heavy objects and performing vigorous physical activity. Dr. Gaines’s advanced surgical skills will help to minimize scarring. You can further mitigate post-operative pain and scarring by following his detailed after-care instructions.
Before and After Results
Schedule Your Consultation
Because breast reduction often has medical benefits, your insurance plan may cover all or part of your procedure. If you are ready to undergo breast reduction, contact our plastic surgery center today to schedule an initial consultation.