Breast Reduction

When a woman has large, pendulous breasts, she can experience physical discomfort and emotional distress. The additional weight of large breasts can cause back, neck or shoulder pain, as well as skin irritation under the breasts.  At Cosmetique, Dr. Gotkin performs breast reduction surgery to reduce your breast size, relieve symptoms and improve the proportions of your upper body.

Who Can Benefit From a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is ideal for healthy adult women who are dissatisfied with the large size of their breasts. Breast reduction can be used to treat:

• Large, pendulous breasts
• Downward pointing nipples and areolas
• Asymmetrical breast size
• Shoulder, neck or back pain caused by large breasts
• Chafing and irritation beneath the breasts

Following breast reduction, your breasts will better complement the rest of your body. Clothing will fit more comfortably, chronic pain associated with your enlarged breasts will likely subside, and it will be easier to participate in physical activity. 

Despite the many advantages of breast reduction surgery, it may not be right for everyone. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gotkin.

What to Expect During Your Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is performed using general anesthesia. Incisions are usually placed with the crease underneath the breast, around the areola, and in a line from 6 o’clock on the areola to the incision in the breast crease. Dr. Gotkin removes excess skin, fat and breast tissue and elevates the position of the breasts on the chest wall.  Very often, the areola is reduced in size as well.  After completing the breast reduction, all incisions are closed with stitches.  No drains are used.

After Your Breast Reduction Surgery

After surgery, the incisions are bandaged and you are placed in a soft bra. Some initial swelling will contribute to a feeling of discomfort or tightness in the chest. You will continue to wear the soft bra for the first several weeks of recovery to promote comfort, healing and to minimize swelling.  Although significant pain is unusual in breast reduction surgery, medications are prescribed to use if necessary.  Most stitches dissolve; any that need to come out will be removed in three weeks.

Normal activities can be resumed within a few weeks. Intense activity should be avoided for 4-6 weeks. It is important to protect your breasts from accidental impacts and sun exposure for several months. The lines from the incisions will become less noticeable as they begin to fade over the course of 12-18 months.