Breast Reduction

Serving San Francisco, San Jose, & Walnut Creek, California

While our culture promotes large breasts as being more attractive and feminine, if you have breasts that are overly large, it can be uncomfortable and annoying. It can even create health problems. The extra weight can cause back problems. It can also interfere with some activities and the bra straps can bite into the shoulders painfully.

A breast reduction will alleviate this discomfort and pain and restore better proportions to your overall body shape.

Who is a good candidate for breast reduction?

If you have good general health, with no auto-immune diseases or any conditions that might impair healing, and if you have realistic expectations for the breast surgery, you are most likely a good candidate. Breast Surgeon Dr. Weil would evaluate your health and health history and would also consider:

• Whether you smoke or not
• If you have skin irritation in the breast crease
• Whether the skin is stretched
• Whether the nipples are below the breast crease
• Whether the areolas are enlarged

Before the procedure

In preparation for it, Dr. Weil may want you to adjust your regular medications or supplements. He will make sure you understand the potential risks and the temporary side-effects of a breast reduction. He will discuss anesthesia to determine whether it should be general, or local with intravenous sedation. He may order some lab tests and a baseline mammogram. He will give you a pain prescription that you can fill ahead of time and have it on hand later when you may need it.

You should arrange for transportation to and from the surgery facility, and it’s best to prepare your recovery space beforehand too. Stock up on favorite foods, get the house or apartment clean, do the laundry, etc. Make sure you have some good books, the TV guide, videos to watch, hobby supplies etc.

The breast reduction procedure

Incisions will be placed so as to make the resulting scars as discreetly hidden as possible. Breast tissue is reduced, extra skin removed, and the nipple and areola moved to a higher position. To help support the breast, there are deeply-placed stitches, as well as surface stitches to close the incision.

Recovery

You will have dressings and an elastic bandage for support (or support bra). There may be a drain in place below the skin to remove excess fluid and Dr. Weil will remove that when he judges it time. Bruising and swelling will fade in a few weeks. At first you should rest and protect the incision areas, although getting up to walk around a bit will also be good. It will help with blood circulation.

Since each breast reduction surgery is different, being customized for each patient, recovery times vary also. Dr. Weil will let you know when you can start showering, return to work, engage in sports, etc.

To learn more about breast reductions and whether you are a good candidate, please contact our breast surgeon for a complimentary breast reduction consultation. Dr. Weil believes that patient education is important and will be very willing to answer your questions. We hope to work with you soon. Our offices serve the San Francisco, San Jose, and Walnut Creek areas.

For questions about Financing options please see our cosmetic surgery finance page.

Randall B. Weil M.D., F.A.C.S

San Francisco Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

909 Hyde St., Ste. 602, San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415-781-2081