Breast Reduction

Before & After Photos

Click here to watch a patient review of this procedure

Who Can Benefit From Breast Reduction?

Good candidates for breast reduction usually opt for the surgery for one of the following reasons:

• The size of the breasts prevents participation in sports, dance, or other physical activities.
• One breast is larger than the other.
• The breasts are too large and look out of proportion with the rest of the body.
• Breast size causes skin irritation or bra strap marks on the shoulders.
• The heaviness of the breasts has caused them to sag and the nipples to point downward.

What is the Procedure Like?

Breast reduction may be performed using a variety of techniques. Since each patient is different from the next, the scarring varies with each patient. Dr. Rubinstein approaches each case with a goal of having the least amount of scarring possible. Regardless of incision technique the surgeon removes excess breast tissue and skin and repositions the nipple. The tissue underneath the nipple is also repositioned in order to avoid losing any sensation.

The surgery is generally done under a general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure in the doctor's office or in a hospital. You will be required to spend one night under observation and allowed to go home the following morning.

What Can I Expect During Recovery?

You will need someone to drive you home, and you may need help around the house for a couple of days. You may need to sleep on your back, and you will be asked to avoid lifting and bending for a few days. You will not be confined to bed rest, although you will probably be a bit tired for the first couple of days. Dressings will be applied to the breasts. These will be removed within a couple of days of the procedure, after which you will need to replace the dressings daily, or you may choose to wear a surgical bra for a few weeks. Most stitches will dissolve on their own, though some stitches may need to be removed after 2-3 weeks.

You can expect some swelling and mild pain following the procedure, but this will resolve over time. Because of the swelling, it may be several weeks before you can see the final results of your surgery. No patient begins with perfectly symmetrical breasts. The results of surgery attempt to correct the natural pre-existing differences from one breast to the other. In rare cases, asymmetries may remain which may be improved with further procedures. Nipple sensation is generally not changed as a result of these procedures, although there may be a temporary increase or decrease in sensation. Rarely are these changes permanent, however.

You should be able to return to work within two weeks of surgery, and you can begin to exercise again within several weeks. You may also resume very gentle sexual activity in about a week, but your breasts will be tender for several weeks after your surgery.

What Are the Risks of Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction surgery is a very safe procedure with rare incidents of complications. Significant bleeding or infections after surgery are uncommon. As mentioned earlier, there may be a change in nipple sensation, which is usually temporary. Most patients are able to breast feed after having had breast reduction surgery. . However, breast reduction patients have sometimes experienced difficulty with breast feeding after surgery. If you are planning to have children and wish to breast feed, you may opt to postpone breast reduction surgery until after you have finished having children.

Patient Review of Dr. Rubinstein