How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery Take?

 

If you’re considering a breast reduction to remove extra fat, tissue, and skin from your breast, you may wonder about breast reduction surgery recovery time.

Also known as mammoplasty, breast reduction surgery will not only decrease the size of your breasts, but it will lift and contour them too.

Breast reduction surgery can be performed on just one breast or on both at the same time if you don’t wish to have mismatched breasts for any amount of time.

How Does Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery Play Out?

Recovery from surgery always has two phases – short-term and long-term. Breast reduction surgery is no different.

The first phase of recovery (short-term) typically lasts about two weeks and is when the most restrictions are in place. The second phase (long-term) typically lasts two to three months following that.

We’ll break down the two phases:

First Week

After your surgery, you will be introduced to a compression bra which you’ll need to wear through the first phase and into the second phase of recovery.

You’ll wear this bra 24/7 except for when you shower. This will ensure you get the desired outcome from the surgery. During this first week, you’ll want to focus on resting and ensuring you eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to facilitate healing.

Some light movement (like walking around the house) will be encouraged, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity and continue to take any prescribed medications.

Second Week

It’s during the second week when you might start to notice the incisions feeling a little tight and itchy as they continue to heal under your compression bra. You can remedy this with Vaseline or other gentle moisturizer. Benedryl can help with the itching.

Your board-certified plastic surgeon may clear you for returning to work at this point, but you’ll still need to avoid strenuous activity and stick with your healthy and hydrating diet.

Three Weeks to Two Months Out

For most, three weeks marks the point when you’ll really start to notice and feel the results of your surgery. You’ll be able to engage in more strenuous activities and return to most of your regular routines. Even so, you’ll need to keep that compression bra on for at least another one to three weeks.

By the end of the second month, the compression bra can be swapped out for your new smaller bra – provided your breasts are not swollen.

Three to Four Months After

Finally, three to four months out from the surgery, your breasts should be fully healed and settled into their new shape. At this point, you can safely start shopping for those smaller tops you’ve always longed to wear!

How Could Breast Reduction Surgery Change Your Life?

Having large, heavy, or pendulous breasts can make it hard to find clothes that fit well. What’s worse, they may be causing you neck and back pain.

Fortunately, smaller and more shapely breasts are just a surgery away. And the good news is, breast reduction surgery recovery isn’t terribly grueling. As we said, you could be back to work after one week, and doing light cardio after just two weeks!

So if you’re ready to remove that extra weight that’s causing you pain and strife, contact us today! And get ready to spice up your wardrobe!

Boost Confidence With Breast Reduction

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When you hear the words “large breasts,” do you immediately think of women? Most of us do. It makes sense. Large breasts on women is, to some extent, considered desirable. Large breasts on men is almost certainly considered embarrassing.

Yet, women with large breasts often face the same embarrassment as men – with an added dash of shame and objectification.

Fortunately, breast reduction surgery was developed for both women AND men who face the challenges of having breasts that are simply “too large.”

Breast Reduction for Women

Because the issue of overly large breasts plagues women more than men, we’ll start with the challenges females face in this arena.

As woman age, their breasts sag. For women with huge breasts, this can create an illusion of being overweight. Furthermore, there’s the potential for back, shoulder, and neck pain from excess breast tissue weighing them down. In fact, women often suffer from cuts and abrasions on their shoulders from the straps of extra supportive bras.

In addition, the weight of extra breast tissue can lower exercise tolerance and drain large-breasted women of the confidence and sense of accomplishment that comes with a regular workout regimen.

Women who experience breast reduction surgery find it liberating. During the breast reduction procedure, the surgeon removes that troublesome excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin.

For those who need a moderate reduction, the board-certified surgeon will typically use what’s known as a lollipop incision. This is an incision made around the areola and down to the breast. In the cases of those who need a significant reduction, an anchor incision continues along the crease underneath the breast.

Whatever the case, a breast reduction is accompanied by a breast lift to fully restore the shape and contour of the breast.

Reducing Breast Size in Men

Just like women, men have breast glandular tissue. For some men, however, there can be abnormal or excess breast growth. This is known as gynecomastia.

How much excess tissue or growth a man experiences depends on a variety of factors. For example, middle-aged and older men have some of the same issues with sagging breast tissue that women do. For other men, larger breasts may appear with weight gain, or have a genetic component.

And no matter how much a man may diet or exercise, it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

Just as women benefit from breast reduction surgery, so too do men.

In order to remove excess fat, liposuction is frequently performed for male breast reduction. An incision around the areola is utilized to remove excess glandular tissue, and then the skin around the areola is tightened to create a masculine physique.

With male breast reduction surgery in particular, some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may be necessary to ensure long-lasting results and decrease the likelihood of reoccurrence.

Such changes are definitely worth it though.

Discover a New You With a Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery can relieve the pain and/or embarrassment that comes with breasts that are too large.

It simultaneously serves to improve your physique, restore your confidence, and create a more balanced and proportional appearance.

So contact us today to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Each one will sit down with you to discuss best options and then customize breast reduction options specifically suited to your unique individual body type.

Addressing Gynecomastia With Male Breast Reduction Surgery

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All men have glandular and fatty tissues in their breasts. They just typically have much less than women do.

But when there is abnormal or excess growth tissue, men can have breasts that begin to take on a more womanly appearance.

This condition is known as gynecomastia, which translates from the Greek for “woman-like breasts.” And up to 65% of middle-aged and older men struggle with some form of it.

Fortunately there’s male breast reduction surgery.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

It’s fairly common knowledge that men have higher levels of testosterone while women are dominated by estrogen. Testosterone controls typically male traits such as body hair and muscle mass. Estrogen is responsible for  female traits including breast growth.

Even so, females produce a small amount of testosterone and males produce a small amount of estrogen. When estrogen levels are too high in men and there’s an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, it can cause gynecomastia.

While this discrepancy in hormones is the most common cause of gynecomastia, there are other conditions that can cause gynecomastia.

Certain injuries or diseases of the testicles can affect testosterone production and create an imbalance. Thyroid problems or certain glandular cancers can hinder proper sexual development. Obesity can result in higher estrogen production.

There are also a number of drugs which have gynecomastia as a side effect.

When Should Gynecomastia Be Treated?

Gynecomastia can occur naturally during different phases of a male’s life.

Over half of newborn boys are born with enlarged breasts. This is the result of being under the effects of estrogen from their mothers while in utero. In this case, gynecomastia resolves within two to three weeks.

Gynecomastia may show up again during puberty as hormone levels start to fluctuate in young men. If there is a surge of estrogen that counters the effects of testosterone, it can result in larger breasts. This usually resolves within six months to two years of the onset of puberty.

Finally, gynecomastia returns around mid-life and breast enlargement frequently peaks in men between 50 and 80. It is at this stage of life when male breast reduction surgery is most warranted.

Opting for Male Breast Reduction Surgery

It’s clear that excessive tissue in the chest isn’t limited to women.

The degree to which this happens to men though depends on a variety of factors including age, weight gain, and genetics. It is very often unresponsive to diet and exercise. This means that a man may have breasts while the rest of his body is toned and fit.

Men in this situation can benefit from male breast reduction surgery.

What Goes Into the Procedure

As we mentioned above, the breasts (on both men and women) consist of glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Glandular tissue is firm and dense, while fatty tissue is soft. The ratio between the two varies from person to person.

A man with gynecomastia could have too much of one of or both types of tissue.

In the case of excess fatty tissue, liposuction is the procedure of choice. This involves creating a 3- to 4- millimeter incision into which a small tube is inserted to “vacuum” out the excess fat.

For excess glandular tissue, the method is usually excision. An incision is made around the edge of the areola and excess tissue is cut out using a scalpel. Then the skin around the pectoral muscles is tightened to create a masculine physique.

In some cases, there may be a need for both excision and liposuction.

After the procedure, the patient may have to wear an elastic pressure garment for one to two weeks to help reduce any swelling. Within six weeks, he can return to his normal routine.

It’s important to note that prior to male breast reduction surgery, some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may be necessary to ensure long-lasting results. These changes will also decrease the likelihood of male breast re-occurrence.

Are You Embarrassed by Gynecomastia?

If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to eliminate enlarged breasts and are tired of trying to hide them, then contact us today for a free consultation.

You’ll see how simple it is to restore an appealing, more masculine appearance to your upper body through male breast reduction surgery.

Don’t wait any longer.

Breast Reduction Is Not Just for Women

Despite the jokes about large breasts in our culture, having large breasts can be both cumbersome and painful.

Large breasts can be the source of chronic back, neck, and shoulder strain. And women who have to wear extra supportive bras often suffer from cuts and abrasions on their shoulders from the straps.

On top of that, while larger breasts may contribute to an attractive silhouette for younger women, they are more prone to drooping as women age. This can create the illusion of being overweight – even on women who are not.

Breast reduction surgery can alleviate these discomforts by ridding the body of excess breast tissue while simultaneously tightening the skin and elevating the breast to create a more streamlined silhouette.

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Breast Reduction for Women

One of the common traits women with very large breasts share is feeling awkward.

Large breasts can also impede a woman’s ability to exercise comfortably.

They’re also just plain uncomfortable. Not only do women feel the emotional displeasure of people staring at them, but the physical pain can be overwhelming. All of these can drain a woman’s confidence.

Plastic surgeons are sensitive to these issues. During a consultation, they consider the size and shape of the breasts, the elasticity of the patient’s skin, and the position of the nipples.

Doing so allows them to customize breast reduction options specifically suited to a woman’s unique individual body type.

 

Female Breast Reduction Procedure

During the breast reduction procedure, the surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin. This is done by making an incision and then removing the fat using a combination of liposuction and other excision techniques.

There are a couple of incision options.

With a lollipop incision, the incision is made around the areola and down to the breast crease. This is a good incision option for patients who are in need of a moderate reduction.

For women who need a significant reduction, the anchor incision is similar to the lollipop incision except the incision continues along the crease underneath the breast.

In both cases, the breast reduction will be accompanied by a breast lift to fully restore the shape and contour of the breast.

But women aren’t the only ones who struggle with the challenges of large breasts.

 

Male Breast Reduction

Did you know that around 65% percent of middle-aged and older men struggle with breasts that have a womanly appearance?

All men have breast glandular tissue. This is normal. But with the condition known as gynecomastia (which translated from the Greek means “woman-like breasts”), there is abnormal growth or excess breast tissue.

It turns out that fatty tissue in the chest is not sexist. It can gather in men in similar ways that it does in women. The degree to which this happens is dependent on factors including age, weight gain, and genetics.

What’s worse, it can be unresponsive to diet and exercise. So while the remainder of a man’s body might be toned and fit, he will still have breasts.  It’s an embarrassing situation.

Men in this situation can benefit from male breast reduction surgery to restore an appealing, more masculine appearance to their upper bodies.

 

Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Large male breasts can be caused by fatty tissue, excess glandular tissue, or a combination of both.

Male breast reduction is performed with liposuction to remove the excess fat followed by an incision around the areola to remove excess glandular tissue. Finally, the skin around the pectoral muscles is tightened to create a masculine physique.

It’s important to note that prior to male breast reduction, some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may be necessary to ensure long-lasting results. These changes will also decrease the likelihood of male breast re-occurrence.

 

Could Breast Reduction Improve Your Life?

If you’re struggling with the challenges of overly large breasts, you don’t have to accept it as your destiny.

Breast reduction surgery can relieve the pain and/or embarrassment, while improving your physique, restoring your confidence, and creating a more balanced and proportional appearance.

So contact us today to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

And leave the embarrassment behind.

Male Breast Reduction

Male Breast Reduction

Studies indicate that over 50 percent of men are affected by gynecomastia, a medical term derived from the Greek word meaning “woman-like breasts.” Stubborn, fatty tissue in the chest can be brought about by factors including age, weight gain, and genetics, and can be entirely unresponsive to diet and exercise. This condition can produce uneven results while the rest of your body becomes toned and fit, leaving you feeling awkward and self-conscious in both business and personal interactions.

The board certified plastic surgeons at our office have helped thousands of men restore an appealing, masculine appearance to their upper bodies. We understand how embarrassing male breasts can be, and offer permanent solutions to restore confidence and a firm, appealing look to your body.

Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction

Large breasts can be cumbersome and painful. Many women with large breasts suffer from chronic back and neck strain, in addition to painful cuts left on their shoulders from bra straps straining to support the weight of their breasts. Large, droopy breasts also produce an unappealing upper body silhouette. They can lend themselves to an overweight appearance, even if the rest of your body is trim. Breast reduction surgery can remove excess breast fat and tissue to alleviate these discomforts.




Breast Reduction For Athletes To Improve Your Game

Breast reduction for athletes? As odd as that sounds, breast surgery procedures are not only for cosmetic reasons. One of the most popular groups of women to undergo breast reconstruction is athletes.

Breast Reduction for Athletes

With the 2016 Rio Olympics currently taking place, women’s sports is on everyone’s minds. We’re enjoying watching women athletes compete in gymnastics, tennis, track and field, basketball, soccer, volleyball and so many other exciting sports. The size of the breasts is, unfortunately, a way that many women experience an additional challenge in competition. Having large breasts can lead to back aches or even worse.

Many women choose to get breast reductions with cosmetic surgery so they can run faster and perform better on the playing field. Some female athletes have experienced significant performance enhancement thanks to their breast reduction plastic surgery, including female soccer players, swimmers, basketball players and marathon runners. For many women, breast reduction surgery helps their body look better proportioned.

An added benefit for these female athletes is that they gain more self confidence and no longer have to worry about wearing two sports bras or having metal contraptions keep their breasts in place.

For women who don’t want the surgical approach to breast reduction surgery, nonsurgical breast reduction is also available. For a free consultation about breast reduction procedures contact us today.

breast reduction for athletes

Achieving Aesthetics After Breast Implant Removal

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Breast implants were once all the rage. And they continue to be an excellent solution for some patients seeking fuller and more voluminous breasts.

Other women, however, have found they no longer want their larger implants and are requesting they be removed. They want a sleeker physique.

Changes from aging or pregnancy can change the shape of the breast though. So the challenge then becomes achieving aesthetics after breast implant removal.

Procedures After Breast Implant Removal

Sometimes after the removal of implants, breasts may sag, droop, or look a bit deflated. Some of this will depend on the size of the implants. Fortunately, there are a number of options to restore shape and firmness.

  1. Breast Lift

A common reason women decide to opt out of implants is back pain. Especially for patients with larger implants. Bigger breasts can create excess pressure on the spine which is especially problematic during exercise.

Removing the implants eases this pain, but can leave the breasts lacking in volume. So it’s not unusual for a plastic surgeon to perform a breast lift to remove excess breast tissue and skin. From there, he or she fashions a new breast contour to deliver a perkier and more natural appearance.

  1. Breast Reduction

For women seeking to downsize from implant removal, a breast reduction is another option. And in some cases, it may be performed with a breast lift.

It’s very similar to a breast lift in that tissue is removed to create a contour that is sleeker and firmer.

  1. Fat Transfer

Fat transfer is a straightforward procedure that involves shifting fat from one part of the body where there is excess to another part where there’s a lack of volume. While this wouldn’t be recommended for women with low body fat content, it could be an effective way to add volume to sagging breasts while slimming other “problem” areas.

This procedure can also be formed with a breast lift to maintain some volume.

  1. Implant Replacement

Not every woman who decides to have her implants removed is done with the whole scene. Some patients are fond of their implants and the fullness they provide their breasts. They may just want to change the aesthetics some. So for them, implant replacement is the ideal solution.

By swapping out undesirable implants for those that are more tailor made, there is little to no problem with drooping and sagging. Plus, the implant “pocket” already exists so recovery is typically easier and faster than when the first implants were inserted.

Curious About Aesthetics After Breast Implant Removal

It’s important to understand that additional work will likely be required to achieve aesthetics after breast implant removal.

So if you’re considering this procedure, contact us today to ensure you receive the best advice, expertise, and the highest level of care from a board-certified plastic surgeon.