Breast Reduction
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty or reduction mammaplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the size of large breasts by removing excess breast tissue.1 Breast reduction surgery at Elle Aesthetic Arts & Plastic Surgery in Northern Virginia is centered around helping women feel more comfortable with the size of their breasts and more confident in their overall appearance. Overly large breasts can present physical challenges such as back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain. It can also create psychological and emotional issues and negatively affect quality of life. Through breast reduction surgery, Dr. Larry Lickstein can reduce the breast size, correct asymmetry, as well as improve the breast shape for beautiful, more youthful, and natural-looking breast contours. All breast reductions performed at Elle Plastic Surgery include a breast lift, repositioning the nipple to the center of the breast mound, often reducing the diameter of the areola, reshaping the gland, and eliminating tissue that hangs over so the breast ends at the inframammary fold (IMF).
Why Choose Dr. Larry Lickstein for Your Breast Reduction Surgery?
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lickstein specializes in breast surgery procedures. He understands that excessively large and/or heavy breasts can be detrimental to both your self-esteem and your health. Breast reduction surgery can greatly impact a woman’s confidence and overall well-being. Dr. Lickstein has spent years honing his surgical techniques to be able to sculpt the ideal breasts for his patients, achieving results that enhance each patient’s appearance in accordance with their unique cosmetic and wellness goals.
Breast Reduction: What to Expect
Preparing for Breast Reduction Surgery
The first step in your breast reduction surgery journey is your personal consultation with Dr. Lickstein. During this appointment, you’ll be asked to provide your medical history and review your concerns and goals. You’ll also receive your custom treatment plan and recommendations from Dr. Lickstein. By the end of your consultation, Dr. Lickstein will ensure that you have a solid understanding of what the breast reduction surgery procedure entails and how you can plan for an optimal recovery period.
How Breast Reduction Surgery Works
Breast reduction surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Prior to beginning your surgery, you’ll review your surgical plan with Dr. Lickstein. Then anesthesia will be provided under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist and Dr. Lickstein will make one of two incision patterns on each breast. Depending on the needs of each patient, Dr. Lickstein will utilize a vertical pattern (lollipop) incision, or a wise (anchor) incision depending on size of breast, desired size of breast, quality of skin, and quality (density) of gland.2 Breast tissue is removed selectively to produce a youthful breast shape and restore body proportion, while breast lift techniques are used to remove excess skin and ensure a proportionate silhouette. If appropriate and included in your treatment plan, Dr. Lickstein may also use liposuction to improve contour around the bra line and excess tissue that extends under the arm and/or address asymmetries before closing your incisions.
Recovery After Breast Reduction Surgery
Following breast reduction surgery, you can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort on and around the surgical site. Dr. Lickstein will provide you with a prescription for pain medication to ensure your maximum comfort during the recovery period, as well as a surgical bra to minimize swelling and accelerate healing. Dr. Lickstein encourages patients recovering from breast reduction surgery to avoid exercise and strenuous physical activity for at least one month following surgery.
Breast Reduction Surgery Results
You should plan for several post-operative appointments following your surgical procedure. Towards the end of the initial recovery period, you can expect to see a smaller breast profile while retaining your feminine contours and silhouette. Most of Dr. Lickstein’s breast reduction patients also report an increase in self-confidence and relief from the physical discomfort associated with large breasts following their procedure.
Contact Elle Aesthetic Arts About Breast Reduction Surgery
Dr. Lickstein and the clinical team at Elle Aesthetic Arts are passionate about empowering patients to achieve their cosmetic goals and live with confidence in their appearance. If you are interested in learning more about breast reduction surgery or would like to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lickstein, please contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reduction Surgery
Who is a candidate for breast reduction surgery?
Good candidates for breast reduction surgery are typically healthy women who do not smoke and have concerns with the large size of their breasts, due to aesthetic or physical reasons.3
Can my breast size change after breast reduction surgery?
Yes, your breasts will still be subject to change after breast reduction surgery. Both weight gain and weight loss can affect the size of your new breasts, as can the natural effects of aging and gravity.
Will I be able to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery?
There is a high probability that you should be able to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery. If you are able to nurse—many women who never have surgery are unable—then surgical technique is important in preserving this ability. If you plan to become pregnant and would like to breastfeed, make sure to share that with Dr. Lickstein so he can create your surgical plan accordingly.
How much does breast reduction surgery cost?
The cost of breast reduction can vary depending on the patient’s unique anatomical needs and cosmetic goals. The best way to get the most accurate pricing for a surgery that will achieve the look you want is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lickstein.
Will breast reduction surgery reduce my risk for breast cancer?
Yes. A report published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that breast reduction surgery can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50 to 70 percent.4,5
1 ASPS. What is breast reduction surgery? Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction. Accessed April 27, 2021.
2 ASPS. What are the steps of a breast reduction procedure? Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction/procedure. Accessed April 27, 2021.
3 ASPS. Who is a good candidate for breast reduction surgery? Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction/candidates. Accessed April 27, 2021.
4 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Breast reduction surgery and breast cancer risk: does reduction mammaplasty have a role in primary prevention strategies for women at high risk of breast cancer? Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15253205/. Accessed April 27, 2021.
5 EurekaAlert. ASPS study indicates breast reduction diminishes breast cancer in high-risk women. Available at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-05/asop-asi052804.php#:~:text=It%20found%20that%20breast%20reduction,their%20risk%20by%2090%20percent. Accessed April 27, 2021.