What Is Breast Reduction Surgery?
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgery that reduces the size and weight of overly large breasts. Dr. Watterson is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Watterson Plastic Surgery who specializes in this procedure. It involves the removal of excess breast tissue, fat, and skin.
During the surgery, Dr. Watterson carefully reshapes and lifts the breasts to achieve a size that is not only smaller and lighter but also aligned with your overall body proportions. With his expertise and personalized care, Dr. Watterson has improved the lives of countless women in Salt Lake City and Draper, Utah, who chose to have breast surgery.
Why Get Breast Reduction Surgery?
If you have excessively large breasts, they can cause a variety of issues that impact both your physical and mental health every day. You might experience symptoms like persistent pain in your neck, back, and shoulders, or skin irritations like rashes or infections under your breasts.Â
These issues aren't just uncomfortable to live with – they can cause significant emotional distress and self-consciousness.Â
You might find that your breast size even limits your clothing options and physical activities. That means they can inhibit your lifestyle choices and personal freedom. Unfortunately, they can even attract unwanted attention.Â
Breast reduction surgery can help you fix these problems and improve your quality of life by making your breast size more manageable.
Patient Testimonial
Read What Our Patients Are Saying!
"I had a great experience with Dr Watterson. From the consultation, Pre-op to actual procedure. He had me fully prepared and informed. I came out of my surgery without any complications and had a normal recovery. I am very happy with my transformation. Would highly recommend Dr Watterson to anyone. His professionalism and work ethic is impeccable."
–Nira M.
Will a Breast Reduction Make Me Look Thinner?
Most of our patients feel their breast reduction made them feel thinner. While Dr. Paul Watterson will remove a few pounds of fatty tissue with this procedure, this isn't about weight loss; it's about removing sagging, excess skin, and fatty breast tissue.
Still, not having large, sagging breasts will make you appear thinner. Part of that could be the clothes you can now wear. Most women with overly large natural breasts seek to hide them, so they wear loose-fitting clothing. They're tired of the attention their breasts receive, and they keep them covered. But after your reduction, you can buy clothes that complement your new smaller chest and make you look thinner.
Many of our breast reduction patients are so thrilled to be rid of their outsized breasts that they really change their lives. They join exercise classes and generally become more physically active because now they can do it without pain.
All of this contributes to you feeling and looking thinner. How great is that?Â
Breast Reduction Surgery Candidates
Overly large breasts, especially if they are mainly due to glandular tissue, can be very heavy. This can lead to a host of serious health problems, as listed above.
Beyond the physical impact, large natural breasts can impact your life in many other ways. You might avoid certain exercise regimens and sports. They can be a distraction at work, and social situations can be so annoying that staying home is easier.
When patients come to see Dr. Watterson for their consultation, many of them are ready to get rid of the burden of overly large natural breasts - something they've likely been dealing with since puberty.
If these characteristics sound like you, this procedure could be a great way to change your life.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery?
There's a reason why breast reduction patients are some of our happiest: It's a life-changing procedure.Â
If you've been burdened your entire life with very large breasts, you can finally experience freedom by simply reducing their size.Â
- No more constant back and neck pain. No more difficulty standing up straight from the weight of your breasts.Â
- You can wear the clothes you want, not just the ones that hide your breasts.Â
- Workout classes and impact sports? Go ahead, give it a try!Â
- You can even enjoy going to parties, restaurants, and bars again without worrying about being stared at.
Plus, our patients love the look of their reduced breasts. We remove sagging skin and lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest. Severe sagging can even cause nipples to point downward, but after surgery, they sit high on the chest. The reduced breasts are firm and no longer appear flat or saggy.
This can be a new beginning for a woman who's dealt with her overly large breasts since high school.
What Concerns Can Breast Reduction Surgery Help Treat?
Breast reduction surgery can help address issues such as:
- Chronic Pain:Â Large breasts can contribute to chronic pain in your back, neck, and shoulders from the extra weight. After breast reduction, you can enjoy better posture and feel more comfortable
- Physical Limitations:Â Oversized breasts can make it difficult to participate in sports or exercise. Breast reduction surgery can help you live a more active lifestyle.Â
- Skin Problems:Â You may experience skin irritation and infections under the breast crease due to friction and trapped moisture. With smaller breasts, you'll have better air circulation under your breasts and fewer skin problems.
- Respiratory Problems:Â In some cases, very large breasts can put pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, complicating breathing.Â
- Sleep Disturbances:Â Large breasts can make finding a comfortable position challenging, impacting your overall sleep quality.Â
- Poor Self-Esteem and Mental Health:Â You may even feel self-conscious and emotionally stressed about your oversized breasts. Our patients often feel relieved and more confident after surgery: Their body feels more balanced, and their appearance aligns more closely with their self-image.
Overall, breast reduction surgery can be a transformative procedure, addressing both physical discomfort and confidence issues.
Dr. Paul Watterson provides breast reduction surgery in Salt Lake City and Draper, UT. He can help relieve you of pain and discomfort caused by oversized breasts.
How Small Can I Go With Breast Reduction Surgery?
How much you'd like Dr. Watterson to reduce your breasts is entirely your decision; there isn't a limit. Most of our patients from the Salt Lake Valley opt to keep their breasts proportional to the rest of their figure. They want to reduce the burden and weight of their breasts rather than focus on a specific size decrease. The goal is to make your breasts proportional, alleviating their negative impact on your life.
Some patients coming to us for this surgery are so sick of their oversized breasts that they talk about radically decreasing their size. They've spent a life dealing with their breasts and are tired of them. But you also don't want to regret downsizing your breasts too much at a later date.
After all, your body shape will change dramatically with this procedure. It's a welcome change, but it will be an adjustment.
When you meet with Dr. Watterson for your consultation, the two of you will discuss your goals and see how much you'd like to decrease your breasts. Most of our patients opt to reduce their breasts by one to two cup sizes.
Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cause Sagging?
No, quite the opposite. If you have had overly large natural breasts for some time, they have likely become pendulous, and breast mass has accumulated in the base of the breast. The weight has created severely sagging tissue, and the breasts have flattened. In more extreme cases, your nipples may point downward.
Like a breast lift, breast reduction removes all of the excess, sagging skin and brings the breasts up to a higher position on the chest. Your breasts can sag somewhat as you age, but unless you gain and lose a significant amount of weight, your future sagging will not be extensive.
The Breast Reduction Procedure
The type of incision Dr. Watterson chooses will depend on your unique condition, such as the amount of sagging you're experiencing. Before deciding which breast reduction method is best for you, Dr. Watterson will also make sure there is enough blood supply to keep your breast and nipple tissue healthy.
Typically, Dr. Watterson will use one of two methods – the anchor incision or vertical incision.Â
Anchor Incision Method
If you have extremely large breasts, we will likely use the anchor incision method, also known as the Wise pattern or central pedicle technique. This allows the most access to remove sagging skin and tissue. The incision circles the areola, runs down to the breast crease, and then follows the breast crease a few inches in each direction. Dr. Watterson has been perfecting this technique for over 20 years.
Vertical Incision Method
This incision follows the same path as the anchor incision without extending along the breast crease. The shape of this incision is more like a lollipop. It can work for women with moderately large breasts. This technique is used more in lifts with implants.
These procedures are performed under general anesthesia. In both methods, Dr. Watterson will remove excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin. The nipples and areolae are usually moved to a higher position on the chest. The areolae can also be reduced in size.
How Long Will It Take for My Breast Tissue to Fully Settle After This Surgery?
Your breast tissue will settle over the weeks following your procedure, as Dr. Watterson will have repositioned much of the breast tissue and removed excess skin. There isn't a set timeframe here, but you can expect it to take up to six months for your breasts to fully settle into their future appearance.
Breast Reduction Recovery
Immediately after the surgery, you will likely experience some soreness, swelling, and bruising. It's common to have drains that will help remove excess fluids, and you'll be wrapped in bandages or a surgical bra to support the healing breasts. You'll need to wear your surgical bra 24 hours a day for about six weeks before eventually transitioning to a strong underwire bra.
During the first few weeks post-surgery, it is vital to rest and keep physical activity to a minimum to avoid straining your chest or disrupting the healing process. Follow Dr. Watterson's instructions on when to start gentle movements to aid in recovery. Any pain typically can be controlled with prescribed medications.
You'll have some follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress. During these visits,Â
Dr. Watterson will check the incisions, possibly remove sutures, and address any concerns you might have.
As the weeks progress, you'll gradually be able to return to daily activities. Most patients can engage in light exercises such as walking within a few days but should avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Long-term care involves managing swelling and scarring, which can take several months to settle fully. Additionally, you'll need to protect your scars from the sun to reduce their visibility. Â
Finally, it's essential to be vigilant for any signs of complications such as increased redness, swelling, heat, unusual discharge from the incisions, severe pain, or fever. Contact Dr. Watterson immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
Recovery duration can vary depending on the patient and the extent of the surgery. Typically, patients can resume normal activities within six weeks, with improvements continuing over the following months. Sticking to Dr. Watterson’s aftercare steps will help ensure a smooth recovery.
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Length of Breast Reduction Procedure
On average, breast reduction surgery takes 2-4 hours.
This timeframe does not include preparation before the surgery and recovery time immediately after the procedure. Patients are usually required to arrive several hours before the scheduled surgery to prepare, which involves the administration of anesthesia and other preparatory steps.Â
Post-surgery, you will spend time in the recovery room under observation to manage immediate postoperative care and make sure you're stable before going home.
Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery
With any surgery, risks such as infection and blood clots exist. Dr. Watterson will always talk with you about potential risks specific to your procedures in your consultation. Other risks may include scarring and delayed healing. It's also important to note that we usually need to move the nipples with this procedure. We make every effort to maintain nipple sensation and breastfeeding function after breast reduction, but this is not always possible.
Can Breast Reduction Be Combined With Other Breast Procedures?
Breast reduction surgery is basically a more dramatic, extensive breast lift. The goals are the same — to remove sagging skin and to return the breasts to a higher location on the chest. Otherwise, this is a stand-alone breast procedure.
What If My Breasts Are Reduced Too Much?
If you have had overly large natural breasts your entire life, you do need to be prepared to have dramatically smaller breasts after this procedure. There is no way around the removal of excess, sagging skin and tissue.Â
While most patients are thrilled to be rid of the burden of their large breasts, some wonder if their breasts are now too small. Of course, we can address this by inserting small breast implants, but we feel that it is better for the patient to fully understand how her breasts will change before having the procedure. We will discuss this in detail during your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Watterson for Breast Reduction?
Dr. Paul Watterson's extensive training and experience make him an exceptional choice for breast reduction surgery. He completed his plastic surgery residency at Emory University under the renowned Dr. Rod Hester, honing his skills and expertise. He has earned numerous accolades, including the Glancy Outstanding Resident Award and recognition as a "Top Doc" for twelve consecutive years.
Dr. Watterson finds great fulfillment in positively transforming his patients' lives. Many of his happiest patients are those who have undergone breast reduction. His approach emphasizes natural results so his patients feel confident and beautiful. Dr. Watterson’s compassionate nature and attention to detail make him a trusted plastic surgeon.
Schedule A Consultation
Contact us to schedule a consultation where we can discuss the procedure, surgical techniques, and expected results.
Your consultation may be covered under your insurance plan – let us know if you are interested in seeking insurance coverage, and we may be able to bill your insurance company accordingly. Pre-certification is often required for reimbursement or coverage, along with detailed documentation by a physician for a period of time determined by your insurance policy.
If you are in Draper or Salt Lake City, UT, and are seeking breast reduction surgery, call 801-571-2020 or click here to schedule a consultation
