About the Breast Reduction Procedure
Not every woman who is interested in plastic surgery for her breasts wants to get breast implants and go bigger. In fact, some women have always wished they had smaller breasts, and visit Meridian Plastic Surgery Center because they are finally ready to do something about it.
Typically, women choose breast reduction surgery to address breast sagging, uncomfortably heavy breasts, or unwanted attention due to large, natural breasts.
With a breast reduction, you can improve your body’s contour as well as your daily comfort including alleviating back pain, shoulder and neck pain, and painful indentations in your shoulders from bra straps. Dr. Tjelmeland supports Austin breast reduction patients by:
- Reducing the size of breasts that Austin patients feel are overly large.
- Creating smaller, more shapely breasts that his patients desire.
- Reshaping and lifting breasts to fit the body’s proportions.
The procedure is very common and can offer you an improvement in your quality of life, resolving daily aches and pains and allowing you to take part in more rigorous physical activity. It can also reduce the amount of unwanted attention you receive, and finally allow you to wear the clothing and bathing suits you’ve always had your eye on, but have been uncomfortable in before.
How A Breast Reduction Works
Dr. Tjelmeland will meet with you to discuss the goals you want to achieve with breast reduction surgery. Together, you’ll determine the best approach to achieve the results you want. Rather than coming into Meridian Plastic Surgery Center with an ideal cup size – which can vary from bra brand to bra brand, Dr. Tjelmeland recommends that you bring in photos of women with the breast size and silhouette you like. This makes it easier for him to understand the outcome you are hoping to achieve.
Your Experience on Surgery Day
Many Austin women who elect to have breast reduction have never had surgery before. As such, it’s understandable that they want to be as educated as possible about what will happen when they arrive in the surgical center, and what will happen during their procedure.
On the day of your surgery, you will come to our surgical facility for an outpatient procedure and typically go home the same day. To make you comfortable during surgery, you will be placed under a light general anesthesia, which is a strong but safe medication used for surgical procedures and administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. During your breast reduction:
- Your vital signs will be monitored to ensure your health and safety, which is of utmost importance to Dr. Tjelmeland.
- Dr. Tjelmeland makes incisions around the areola area, from the areola to the fold, and in the fold under the breast. He removes breast tissue and skin to make your breasts smaller, lighter, firmer, and higher – just how you’ve always wanted them to be.
- You will also receive a breast lift so that your breasts sit at a higher, more comfortable, and more youthful position.
- Dr. Tjelmeland may recommend reducing the size of your areolas as part of the procedure to provide a more natural appearance.
At the end of your surgery, your incisions will be covered with a light dressing, and a surgical bra or wrap will support your breasts during the initial healing phase.
Recovery After Breast Reduction
Most Austin women have minor pain and discomfort that they easily control with pain medication, and much of the swelling and bruising usually resolves in the first 10-14 days following surgery. Allow about 5 days before returning to office work and four weeks before resuming vigorous exercise. You also won’t be able to sleep on your stomach as you heal from your surgery. Dr. Tjelmeland recommends you sleep on your back with your back elevated by pillows or in a recliner.
You’ll want to avoid heavy lifting for the first few days after your surgery, including children. This means that if you have young children at home, you’ll need to enlist the help of family and friends to give you the help you’ll need around the house. Surgical scars are usually pink or dark as they heal and mature. Usually, these fade within a year of surgery and become less noticeable. You can cover scars with a bra, bathing suit, or low-cut top.
Over the first few weeks, your breasts will settle to a more natural position and shape. You can usually determine their final appearance by 4-6 months after breast reduction surgery. At this point, your breasts should be a more comfortable, aesthetically appealing shape and size for your body.
Can I Breastfeed After A Breast Reduction?
Because breast reduction can remove a significant amount of breast tissue, it may be impossible for you to breastfeed after having a breast reduction. Dr. Tjelmeland always counsels his Austin patients of childbearing years about this possible side effect.
If a breast reduction patient thinks she may want to breastfeed a child in the future, she will need to weigh her options and decide if she wants to go forth with surgery or wait until she completes breastfeeding in the future.
Excellence in Breast Reduction in Austin, TX
Schedule A Breast Reduction Consultation At Meridian Plastic Surgery Center Today
If you are ready for a change, contact Meridian Plastic Surgery Center in Austin about breast reduction. Call our Austin practice for an initial consultation at (512) 617-7500 or fill out our form online.
