Breast Reduction - Aestique

Many women have enjoyed new-found comfort and quality of life through breast reduction surgery performed at our center near Johnstown. For women who suffer from physical pain or decreased self-confidence because of unusually large breasts, breast reduction procedure is often the best method to alleviate these problems. During a breast reduction, the surgeon removes excess breast tissue and fat, providing a breast lift while effectively reducing the size and weight of large breasts.

What is breast reduction surgery?

Oversized breasts can cause back and neck pain, skin irritation, skeletal deformities, breathing problems and shoulder indentations from bra straps. A breast reduction provides a breast lift while dramatically altering breast size, relieving physical problems by making your breasts lighter, firmer, smaller, and higher, essentially bringing them in proportion with your body.

During the breast reduction procedure, the surgeon removes fat, glandular tissue and excess skin. The size of the areolas may also be reduced during surgery, depending on your cosmetic goals.

Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?

Women who feel restricted or uncomfortable as a result of unusually large breasts are ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery. The procedure is mainly performed for women with fully developed breasts, and is usually recommended after age 18. In some cases, breast reduction can be performed to help women younger than 18 if they are experiencing serious discomfort. For women who want to retain the ability to breastfeed it is better to have the surgery after childbearing.

Are there any risks involved in breast reduction surgery?

Dr. Lazzaro and the staff at Aestique® will do everything to make your breast reduction procedure safe and worry-free. However, some common risks associated with all surgical procedures include bleeding, infection, or reactions to the anesthesia.

Although scars are permanent, most patients agree that this is a good trade off for more youthful, well-proportioned breasts.

How do I plan for breast reduction?

When you visit our practice for your initial consultation, you should speak frankly with Dr. Lazzaro about your aesthetic expectations, especially regarding your desired breast size. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about the procedure, types of anesthesia, and costs. Your breast reduction surgery most likely will be covered by your insurance carrier.

Dr. Lazzaro will discuss the variables that go into planning the procedure such as age, the size and shape of your breasts (which will be examined and photographed for both medical and insurance reasons), the condition of your skin, and your general health. Keep in mind that smokers tend to heal more slowly than non-smokers.

You will also discuss placement of the nipple and areola, which are usually lifted to a higher position during the breast lift portion of the procedure, and postoperative scarring.

Dr. Lazzaro will fully inform you on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, and medications. A mammogram and a strict diet may be required prior to before the operation.

What happens during breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery usually takes two to four hours, and is almost always done under general anesthesia. At Aestique® Medical Center, breast reduction surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, which allows you to go home the same day of surgery. Drains and external sutures are used at the surgeon’s discretion.

The most common technique used for breast reduction surgery requires an incision around the areola, which then follows the crease beneath the breast. Next, excess glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed. Lastly, the nipple and areola are repositioned. Throughout the surgery, the nipples remain attached to their blood vessels and nerves to help preserve nipple sensation.

Once the nipples are repositioned, skin from both sides of the breast is drawn around the areola to shape the new, smaller breast. Sometimes, liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the areas along the side of the chest.

What happens after breast reduction surgery?

You should follow Dr. Lazzaro’s guidelines after your return home. You will be asked to wear a surgical bra for about one week. After your first postoperative visit (six or seven days after surgery), your dressings and surgical bra will be removed. You will need to continue to wear a support bra for approximately four weeks after surgery.

You will be prescribed medicine for discomfort, if needed. Most breast reduction Pittsburgh patients are pleasantly surprised at the minimal amount of discomfort they experience after a breast reduction.

Moisturizing lotions may be used as needed on the breast skin, as long as the suture area is initially kept dry.

Random, shooting pains, as well as a loss of feeling in the breasts, is common within the first few months. Rarely, the loss of feeling can last more than a year or be permanent.

How long is recovery from breast reduction?

Although bruising and swelling subsides within a few weeks of surgery, it usually takes six months to a year for your breasts to settle comfortably into their new shape, and for you to adjust to your new image. Breast shape will vary with hormonal shifts, weight changes and pregnancy.

Dr. Lazzaro will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities after breast reduction surgery. You should avoid strenuous lifting for three or four weeks, though stretching, bending and swimming are good exercises as long as you wear a good support bra.

You can return to work and social activities in about two weeks, but you should expect to feel less energetic than normal. You should avoid sex. For six weeks after surgery, gentle contact with the breasts is best. For months, your scars may remain lumpy and red, though they will eventually fade.

As you become more comfortable with your new image, you will no longer feel the strain of physical discomfort and you can live a more positive and healthy life thanks to the caring staff at Aestique® Medical Center.

Breast Reduction Surgery at Aestique® Medical Center*

Choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery can be a difficult decision. At Aestique® Medical Center located near Johnstown and Pittsburgh in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, we combine privacy with state-of-the-art surgical techniques and the expertise of highly trained, compassionate surgeons. Contact Aestique® Medical Center today to schedule your breast reduction consultation.

Before and After

This 37 year old complained of neck, upper/lower back pain, finger/hand numbness, bra strap indentation for 35 years all due to enlarged breasts.

AGE 50 HEIGHT 5’4” WEIGHT 179

PROCEDURES Breast Reduction by Dr. Theodore Lazzaro

This 33 year old complained of intense shoulder, neck, back, lower back pain, poor posture, bra strap indentation, and rashes beneath breasts for years. She wore a 38DDD and wanted to be a full C Cup.

AGE 37 HEIGHT 5’3” WEIGHT 270

PROCEDURES Breast Reduction, Liposculpture lateral chest wall by Dr. Theodore Lazzaro

This 53 year old complained of intense shoulder, lower back, and neck pain, finger numbness, and bra strap indentation for over 20 years. She wore a 34O cup bra.

AGE 53 HEIGHT 5’8” WEIGHT 191

PROCEDURES Breast Reduction by Dr. Theodore Lazzaro

This 58 year old complained of high upper back pain, irritation beneath the bra strap, and indentations as well some redundant fat of her lateral chest wall. Wore a 38DDD cup bra.

AGE 58 HEIGHT 5’4” WEIGHT 174