You will notice an immediate improvement in your breasts’ shape and size after your breast reduction. However, it will take a few weeks for swelling to go down and a few months for the tissue to settle into its new position. It will also take several months for your scars to mature. Your results will last for years, and you can extend them by maintaining a steady weight and wearing well-fitted bras.

The best candidates for breast-reduction surgery are healthy, non-smokers who are close to their ideal weight. If you smoke, you’ll need to quit for a duration before and after your surgery. Beyond those criterias, Dr. Teotia can advise you whether the procedure will benefit you when you meet with her for a consultation.

Having surgery on your breasts can impact your ability to nurse a baby. If you are worried about this, be sure to ask Dr. Teotia during your consultation.

Dr. Teotia will choose one of four incision techniques, depending on your personalized surgical plan. In all cases, she takes care to make the incisions in areas where she can conceal them, such as the creases under your breasts or the natural color change of the areolas. You can also minimize your chances of post-surgical scarring by keeping the incisions clean and covered while they heal. 

We ask that you refrain from heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least two weeks after breast surgery. However, during your recovery period, we encourage light walking to stimulate your circulation and speed the healing process. By the six-week mark, you should be fully back to your regular routine.

Several variables influence your procedure’s price. After learning about your goals during your consultation, Dr. Teotia can give you an accurate cost estimate.

Many women opt to get a lift and reduction simultaneously. Dr. Teotia and her team will tailor your surgery to give you the results you expect and deserve.

The ideal sleeping position to protect and support your healing breast tissues is on your back. Positioning pillows around your body in a horseshoe shape will decrease your risk of turning over on their side or stomach.

While a breast reduction will not prevent you from conceiving a child, it can affect your ability to breastfeed. This surgery may cause changes in nipple sensitivity, a decline in milk production, and difficulty expressing milk.

While breast reduction results are permanent, there is no way to prevent aging or the effects of gravity. Avoiding drastic weight fluctuations is the best way to maintain your results. Some factors that may help minimize sagging include wearing supportive bras, eating a balanced diet, doing exercises that target your pectoral muscles, and avoiding sun exposure.

Patients with a BMI of 35 or higher may be at an increased risk of developing complications. For this reason, we require a BMI below 35 at the time of surgery. Additionally, losing weight after your breast reduction can detract from your results by causing sagging skin. We suggest being at or near your ideal weight before surgery.

Your breast reduction candidacy is about more than your cup size. For example, a C cup may look and feel disproportionately large on a woman with a petite frame. Your body and aesthetic goals are fundamental considerations in determining whether to consider this surgery.

Other indications that you may benefit from a breast reduction include:

• Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
• Poor posture
• Sagging, drooping, and deflated breast tissue

Possible risks include excessive bleeding, infection, scarring, swelling, fluid collection, and numbness. Working with a board-certified surgeon like Dr. Teotia will give you peace of mind. She has extensive anatomical knowledge and training in performing breast procedures, and will take time to ensure you have realistic expectations.

If you are concerned about back, neck, and shoulder pain stemming from the weight of your breasts, you can start with some conservative measures to ease your discomfort:

• Lose weight: If you are overweight and have large breasts, you may have more tension in your back muscles, which leads to chronic spinal stress. Shedding excess pounds can make your breasts smaller and decrease muscle strain.
• Increase your core strength: Having a stronger core will help you improve your posture and will counteract the slouching that often occurs when heavy breasts roll your shoulders forward. Strengthening your core muscles will also help combat back pain and make your daily activities easier.
• Build up your back muscles: Exercises like bent-over rows and shoulder squeezes can increase your back muscles’ strength. You can also try gentle stretches like spinal twists to release tension in your back.
• Choose the best bras for larger breasts: Buying supportive bras that fit properly is essential if you have heavy, sagging breasts. For example, wearing a bra that does not fit too tightly and that has broad shoulder straps can help reduce shoulder pain.

If you have taken these moderate steps and are still experiencing pain stemming from your large breasts, take the next step and discuss your symptoms with a qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Stephanie Teotia can evaluate whether treatment options such as a breast reduction are right for you. Having your breast surgically reduced and lifted can restore your self-confidence and help you reclaim a more youthful, feminine silhouette.