What Are the Benefits of a Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction significantly decreases the size and shape of the breasts while balancing and sculpting their symmetry. This procedure is ideal for women hoping to:
- Reduce the volume of their breasts
- Alleviate discomfort from the shoulders, back, and neck
- Find relief from cumbersome and awkward breasts
- Achieve smaller, more proportionate breasts
- Lift the breasts back into a more youthful position
Am I a Candidate for a Breast Reduction?
A breast reduction can reduce the size of the breasts to relieve breast-related physical and emotional discomfort. Women interested in breast reduction:
- Are in good overall health
- Do not have any previous medical conditions that can impact their healing
- Do not smoke
- Have realistic expectations of their results
- Have a large breast size that is disproportionate to their body
- Have difficulty completing a task or wearing clothes because of their breast size and shape
Are you a candidate for breast reduction? Call Dr. Agullo at (915) 590-7900 to set up a consultation.
What Is Discussed During My Breast Reduction Consultation?
Dr. Agullo will evaluate the size and shape of your breasts, the elasticity of your skin, and your nipple-areola placement to arrive at the best surgical plan. Patients will also be provided with detailed preparatory and post-operative instructions specific to their surgical procedure.
During your consultation, Dr. Agullo will also:
- Discuss your expectations for your breast reduction results
- Identify the excision points, need for liposuction, and area of repositioning
- Take measurements and photos
At Agullo Plastic Surgery, tailored care begins with a full consultation to discuss the goals and options available.
What Does My Breast Reduction Include?
Excision
Excisions are used in a breast reduction to remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. The most common form of breast reduction excision techniques is the anchor method. Anchor incisions excise tissue with one incision that is placed around the areola. A second incision runs vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and a third runs horizontally along the natural breast crease. Less extensive incisions are possible for women who require minimal to moderate reduction.
Liposuction of the Breasts
Liposuction in the breast area is sometimes used to enhance the contour of the breasts underneath the arm and the lateral chest. Liposuction is not always appropriate for patients with substantially large breasts, or, in other cases, can be combined with BodyTite™ or other body contouring methods to help contract the skin.
Breast Lift
Once the excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin has been removed, Dr. Agullo will lift the breast back to a more youthful position. Many patients opt for added support by using an internal mesh which acts like a push-up bra. Dr. Agullo uses GalaFORM™ mesh to create the internal push-up bra because the mesh is dissolved by the body over a two year period while your body creates its own natural collagen mesh.
How Should I Prepare for My Breast Reduction?
For a quick and smooth breast reduction recovery, you should:
- Stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to your surgery and for two weeks after to lower your risk of blood clots and other complications.
- Don’t take medication that will thin your blood for two weeks before your procedure.
- Don’t eat or drink after midnight the day of your scheduled procedure.
- Arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after your procedure.
- Ensure you have your paperwork and your ID.
- Schedule a follow-up appointment after your surgery is complete.
What Are Your Concerns?
What Can I Expect for My Breast Reduction Recovery?
Breast reduction patients need plenty of rest after surgery. However, it is essential to walk around for a few minutes throughout the day to boost blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Discomfort can be alleviated with medication prescribed by Dr. Agullo.
A surgical bra will be provided to wear day and night, as underwire or padded bras must be avoided for a few months following the procedure. Breast reduction patients should take at least one week off work. Heavy lifting and vigorous exercise should also be avoided for at least four to six weeks.
What Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost?
Dr. Agullo will provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation. You can see a list of the approximate prices of each procedure on our current fee schedule, which lists Dr. Agullo’s price of $7,000 for breast reduction.
The prices listed on our fee schedule represent the minimum cost of the procedures, including anesthesia and surgical facility fees, medical tests, garments, and recovery products. The cost of prescription medications, however, is not included. All fees must be paid in full prior to the scheduled treatment.
Is My Breast Reduction Painful?
Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia to ensure that there is no pain during or immediately following the procedure. Any residual discomfort stemming from the bruising and swelling can be lessened with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
Will My Breast Reduction Leave Scars?
Breast reduction always leaves scars as it requires incisions to remove unwanted tissue. The incision lines of a breast reduction that remain are long-lasting scars, although usually well-hidden beneath swimsuits or bras. Scars will fade over time and can be minimized with proper scar maintenance techniques, such as topical creams.
When Will I See My Breast Reduction Results?
While your initial results will be apparent immediately, your breasts will continue to change over the following months as the swelling subsides and your breasts adjust to their new shape. Generally, it takes at least six months for breast reduction results to fully mature.
What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction results are considered permanent. However, experiencing pregnancy or significant weight gain after the procedure can cause fat to accumulate in the breasts, making them larger and heavier. It is recommended to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle following surgery to preserve the effects of breast reduction.
Significant breast tissue laxity can make a recovery more difficult after breast reduction surgery due to a lack of support. Dr. Agullo uses the GALATEA® GalaFORM™ 3D surgical scaffold as the solution to this issue. The GalaFORM™ 3D is a mesh scaffold used as an internal push-up bra, keeping the breast weight off of the skin. After a patient is fully recovered, the scaffold is slowly converted into strong connective tissue as it is absorbed by the body over a two-year period. The GalaFORM™ 3D surgical scaffold is FDA approved and promotes tissue regeneration after breast reduction surgery, offering higher-quality results and higher overall patient satisfaction.
Breast reduction is nearly always performed in combination with breast lift surgery to tighten loose or sagging breast tissues. Liposuction of the surrounding areas may also be considered.
Most insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures; however, if you seek breast reduction surgery for health reasons, some or all of the cost may be covered. Contact your insurance company to learn more about their breast reduction surgery policy.
The length of your breast reduction surgery depends on your specific needs for the procedure. Generally, breast reduction surgery takes around two to three hours to perform.
Breast reduction surgery is a generally safe procedure when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Agullo. However, some risks come with any surgery. These risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Inability to breastfeed
- Poor wound healing
Interested in Breast Reduction?
If you want to learn more about Dr. Agullo’s breast reduction, contact his office by calling (915) 590-7900. Dr. Agullo offers breast reduction for patients in El Paso, Texas, and the greater El Paso area.
Breast reduction is a common procedure for Dr. Agullo, and can be sure to catch full transformations live on Snapchat or Instagram @RealDrWorldWide on any given day! #StayBeautiful
