Breast Reduction in Beverly Hills with Dr. Anous

Large breasts are most often considered an asset; many women desire larger breasts, and breast augmentation remains one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the country. However, women who have overly large breasts understand that bigger is not always better. Breasts that are too large or that do not fit your frame can cause discomfort and reduce your quality of life. If your breasts cause pain or emotional distress, or if they interfere with your active lifestyle, you may want to consider a breast reduction surgery. In Beverly Hills, Dr. Anous has performed breast reductions for more than twenty years and will make sure your procedure results in a new figure that you will love.

Who are Good Candidates for Breast Reduction?

Patients who have overly large breasts are good candidates for breast reduction surgery, especially if their breasts are pendulous or cause pain, discomfort, or otherwise reduce their quality of life. Good candidates are those who experience inflammation under breast folds, back and neck pain, decreased self-esteem, pain in bra strap areas, or limitation on physical exercise. Ideal candidates for breast reduction should be at or near their ideal weight, in good physical health, and should be non-smokers or agree to stop smoking both before the surgery and during recovery.

When trying to decide if breast reduction surgery is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

Would my life be more enjoyable if my breast size were reduced?
Do I experience chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain?
Am I unable to wear the types of clothing I want because of my breast size?
Do I experience rashes around and under my breasts?
Do I have pain or discomfort around my bra strap areas due to the straps digging into my skin?
Do I avoid going to the gym or performing other aerobic activities because my breasts make them uncomfortable?
Am I done breastfeeding?

The last question is an important consideration because pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly alter the size and shape of breasts. Breast reduction surgery can also affect the breastfeeding process. Though Dr. Anous finds that most women who have breast reduction surgery are still able to breastfeed successfully, he makes sure that all his patients consider this before deciding to have the surgery.

What Happens During a Reduction Mammaplasty?

The breast reduction procedure involves removing excess tissue, skin, and fat and repositioning and reshaping the breasts. During the consultation phase, Dr. Anous will decide which type of incision he will use to create smaller breasts. An incision around the areola will work for those who have very elastic skin that is likely to shrink to fit the new breasts’ shape. A keyhole incision encircles the areola and extends down to the breast fold. The final incision Dr. Anous may use is the anchor incision. This encircles the areola and extends vertically to the breast fold, then continues in both directions along the breast fold. This is the most common type of incision used for breast reductions.

After breast tissue, skin, and fat have been removed, the breast will be re-shaped, and the nipple will be located to a higher location on the breast while remaining connected to blood vessels and nerves. In some cases, it’s necessary to remove the nipple and graft it to a new location. After this is completed, all incisions are closed, and the patient can recover from anesthesia.

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Breast Reduction Recovery and Healing

It’s important to have a friend or family member accompany you on the day of surgery, so they can provide you with a ride home and same-day after care. This person should ideally stay with you for at least a day after surgery to keep an eye on you and assist with essential duties, such as administering medication, helping you get up when necessary, and taking care of household duties. After the procedure, the patient will have the area covered with bandages or dressings and drainage tubes may be inserted to help prevent fluid retention. Patients are usually also provided with a support bra or elastic bandage to wear during the healing process.

Those who have breast reduction can expect inflammation, bruising, and discomfort to last approximately six weeks. Patients should wear their support garment for this entire time, but the garment may be changed depending on the healing progress. Pain medication will be prescribed and is recommended for at least the seven days after surgery. After this, many women find that over-the-counter medications are enough to relieve discomfort for the next few weeks.

Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol for at least the first several days after surgery. You should also avoid smoking for several weeks. When sleeping, support your upper body with pillows and keep your breast area at a 30-degree angle for the first few weeks post-surgery. During the first week or two, you should also avoid any activities that could strain your incisions, such as lifting heavy objects, bending over, or lifting your arms above your head. Consult Dr. Anous’ office immediately if you experience excessive inflammation, swelling, or fever, as these could be the signs of an infection.

Though each patient is different, most find they can go back to work within two weeks, depending on the level of activity involved in their job. They can also start exercising lightly three to four weeks after surgery, though heavy exertion is not recommended until the healing process is complete. Once the breasts are fully healed, there will be visible scars that will continue to fade during the year post-surgery. These scars should be easily hidden beneath swimsuits, bras, or other undergarments.

Deciding if Breast Reduction is Right for You

Breast reduction does take some planning and preparation. However, it is also the surgery that most women report to have increased their quality of life the greatest. When deciding if breast reduction surgery is right for you, it’s important to weigh the pros against the cons. If overly large breasts cause you regular pain or emotional distress or if you find that you are regularly prevented from living an active lifestyle, it’s likely that the surgery would be well worth it.

If you would like to find out more information on whether breast reduction surgery may be right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Anous today!