Women with large breasts often experience chronic neck, back and shoulder pain and other physical discomforts due to the weight of their breasts. In addition to physical difficulties, many of these women also endure emotional distress as a result of the unwanted stares they attract, challenges in exercising comfortably, and problems finding clothes that fit well. Luckily, breast reduction is a solution.
Alberico J. Sessa, MD, offers his South Florida patients an effective solution to these issues at Sarasota Surgical Arts in Sarasota, FL: breast reduction. Breast reduction surgery permanently relieves physical and emotional discomfort associated with large breasts. By removing excess skin and breast tissue, Dr. Sessa is able to artfully reshape the breasts to be smaller, lighter, and more proportionate to the patient’s frame.
For many women, a breast reduction provides significant physical relief. Exercising with large breasts can be extremely uncomfortable. Women who undergo breast reduction procedures often find that they are much more motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle once they are able to exercise in comfort.
Heavy breasts can also cause physical symptoms in everyday life. Back, neck and shoulder pain from the weight of the breasts and the bra strap digging into the shoulders can cause chronic discomfort. After surgery to reduce the size of the breasts, many women feel liberated and energized, no longer worrying about spine issues.
From an emotional standpoint, breast reductions can help patients feel less self-conscious in public and make it easier to shop in standard clothing stores. Many women feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin once they have healed from surgery.
Women who choose breast reduction do so because they are frustrated with the physical and emotional distress that often accompany large breasts. Breast reduction is typically performed to eliminate physical discomfort and to help increase a patient’s self-esteem.
Breast augmentation and breast reconstruction patients sometimes have difficulty understanding the motivation to undergo a reduction. Since the majority of women want to increase their breast size, some breast reduction candidates feel embarrassed for wanting a smaller cup size. However, cosmetic surgeons know the struggles that women with large breasts go through and offer non-judgmental assistance in shaping and contouring the breasts to help patients reach their goals.
Many women choose to combine their breast reduction with a breast lift. Women who have had one or more children or those who are going through the aging process often notice that their breasts are not as perky as they once were. They may sag and look deflated, with the nipples pointing downward and the breast tissue sitting lower on the chest. These aesthetic problems are often even more obvious in women with naturally large breasts. By combining a reduction with a breast lift, patients can achieve a smaller, firmer, and more youthful-looking bust.
Good candidates for breast reduction procedures are women over the age of 18 with naturally large breasts that are causing some kind of physical and/or emotional issue. Candidates should have fully-developed breasts, be in good health overall, have realistic expectations, and prepared emotionally for the procedure. Prospective patients who smoke will need to be willing to quit well before and for several weeks after surgery to help ensure safety and proper healing.
Board-certified cosmetic surgeons assess candidacy on an individual level and want to ensure that patients understand the procedure fully before moving forward. Breast reduction is permanent, and the only way to restore volume to the breasts after reduction surgery is through breast augmentation with implants. Choosing breast reduction is a big decision that patients should never rush into.
Before scheduling a breast reduction, you will need to meet with Dr. Sessa at our South Florida practice. During your consultation, he will ask you about your reasons for seeking breast reduction and discuss your goals with you. He will also go over your health history and determine whether or not it is safe for you to undergo elective surgery.
Once he has assessed your candidacy, Dr. Sessa will discuss his recommended plan for the reduction and the breast size you desire. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the procedure. If you are interested in combining breast reduction with a breast lift, be sure to mention it during the consultation.
Breast reduction surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, under general anesthesia. Once in surgery, the doctor will begin the procedure by making an incision around the outside of the nipple and vertically along the underside of the breast. He then removes the appropriate amount of excess fat, tissue, and skin. Dr. Sessa is careful to remove excess tissue in a way that creates a beautiful new contour.
Once he is finished reducing the volume and size of the breasts, he carefully re-forms them to achieve symmetrical, natural-looking results. He may also reduce the size of the nipple and/or reposition it to produce a more natural appearance. If he is also lifting the breasts, he will reposition the remaining tissue higher up on the chest and secure it into place. When the breasts have been properly sculpted, Dr. Sessa carefully closes the incisions.
Depending on the starting anatomy of your breasts or medical factors, Dr. Sessa may recommend a surgical technique known as a free nipple graft breast reduction. This will be further discussed during your consulation.
Following surgery, patients must be driven home by a friend or family member to begin the recovery process. Patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort initially. Ice and pain medication can help to make the recovery process more comfortable.
During the first week or two, rest with occasional very light activity is recommended. Patients should take a couple of weeks off from work and plan to slowly reintroduce more strenuous activities after several more weeks. A special bra will typically need to be worn during recovery. Patients should follow all of Dr. Sessa’s instructions to help prevent complications, promote proper healing and encourage optimal results.
Immediately after surgery, the physical strain caused by large breasts is dramatically reduced if not eliminated altogether. Patients will see final results a few months after surgery, once all the swelling is gone and the incisions have healed.
Although some residual scarring may remain on the breasts following the recovery period, the overwhelming benefits of the procedure make breast reduction surgery a worthwhile decision for a large number of women. For many patients, surgery can significantly increase the quality of life, providing valuable freedoms never before possible.
Like all surgical procedures, breast reduction does carry some risk. These risks can be reduced by choosing a reputable cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Sessa to perform the procedure. Risks and complications can include:
Some women who have a family history of breast cancer choose to have their breast tissue removed to help reduce their likelihood of developing the disease. While this is sometimes effective, the benefits don’t apply to breast reduction. Although some breast tissue is removed to reduce the size of the breasts, at least some natural tissue will remain. As far as we know, the odds of getting breast cancer are no lower or greater after breast reduction.
Many women have stretch marks on one or both of their breasts. Depending on the location of these marks, Dr. Sessa may be able to eliminate some of them as he removes excess skin. However, it may not be possible to improve all stretch marks. This is something you can discuss during your consultation.
Because there is sometimes a medical need for breast reduction (in cases involving chronic back and neck pain), the procedure may be covered by insurance. However, each policy varies. Patients need to get the necessary exams and referrals and discuss their coverage with the insurance company to ensure that they will not need to pay for the procedure entirely out of pocket. Financing is typically available for patients who are not covered.
Patients in the Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota, FL area recommend Dr. Alberico Sessa for his skill and artistry in breast enhancement. He is known for producing natural-looking results and is dedicated to helping women look and feel their best with cosmetic surgery. As a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sessa puts safety first and only recommends procedures to patients if he feels they will help them reach their aesthetic goals.
For more information, or to schedule a breast reduction consultation with Dr. Sessa, call Sarasota Surgical Arts at (941) 923-1736. The staff at our beautiful South Florida cosmetic surgery center will be happy to arrange an appointment for you.
