Breast Reduction

A breast reduction is a procedure that removes excess tissue from the breasts to reduce their weight and size. ⁽¹⁾ Breast reduction can alleviate chronic issues such as back pain, neck pain, or skin irritation caused by oversized breasts. ⁽¹⁾

Dr. Quita Lopez of Aesthetic Laser Center is a top-ranked cosmetic surgeon, and she understands the values of positive body image and overall health. She is proud to offer breast reduction surgery to provide women with relief from the adverse effects often caused by large breasts. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Lopez empathizes with her patients and is dedicated to delivering beautiful results tailored to women’s bodies.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lopez today to explore your breast reduction treatment options. You can contact our office through our online contact form, or you can call our locations in Lake Oswego or Woodburn at (503) 353-0888.

Before and After Photos

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About Breast Reduction

For many women, the size and weight of enlarged breasts interfere with their quality of life. Large breasts can cause neck, back, and shoulder pain, poor posture, rashes, and often impact one’s comfort and confidence. ⁽¹⁾ Breast reduction surgery is offered to provide relief from these symptoms. ⁽²⁾

During a breast reduction, tissue is removed to reduce mass, then the breasts are lifted, and the areolas may be reduced to make the breasts more even and proportionate with the rest of your body. Breast reductions are lauded for having a high rate of patient satisfaction and consistently rank as one of the most popular procedures. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

Breast reduction offers numerous advantages for a patient’s comfort levels and self-esteem. Under the expertise of Dr. Lopez, our patients see advantages like:

Candidates

Women who are looking to reduce the size of their breasts due to the problems they are causing would be considered ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery. Women who suffer from physical aches such as back pain, shoulder pain, poor posture, and feelings of insecurity stand to benefit the most from breast reduction treatment.

The most common reasons women seek breast reduction are:

All prospective patients should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for the results of their treatment. A consultation with Dr. Lopez will help to shed more light on a patient’s candidacy and treatment options.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Lopez considers the consultation to be one of the most important steps of the process because it is an opportunity to get to know each of her patients and build trust. Dr. Lopez’s primary concern is to ensure her patients are comfortable and confident about their treatment, answering any questions they may have and addressing all of their concerns. Be prepared to undergo a detailed physical examination and inform Dr. Lopez about any health issues, medical history concerns, or medications you are currently taking. We recommend that patients bring in photographic examples of their breast appearance goals.

Dr. Lopez will customize your treatment program and will instruct you on how to prepare, discuss the recovery experience, and walk you through the steps of the procedure. You will also receive an accurate cost breakdown of your treatment options.

Schedule your consultation today to begin planning your breast reduction. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our Lake Oswego or Woodburn offices at (503) 353-0888.

Preparation

Breast reduction requires some preparation on the part of the patient. In the weeks leading up to their procedure, you will be advised to:

Procedure

Breast reductions typically take approximately two to five hours. At the beginning of the procedure, we will mark the treatment areas and administer the anesthesia. Once the anesthesia sets in, Dr. Lopez will remove the breast fat and tissue and close it with sutures. We will also perform a breast lift to ensure that your reduced breasts are positioned evenly and match the rest of your body.

Depending on the technique used and the individual case, one of the following incisions is often used:

Vertical (Lollipop) Incision

The vertical incision method, sometimes called the “lollipop” method, involves two main incisions: one circular incision that encircles the areola, and another vertical incision from the nipple and down to the lower hemisphere of the breast. Breast skin and tissue are then removed, and the incisions are closed. ^(1,2)

Anchor Incision

The anchor method for breast reduction is named after the shape of the incision, which has an anchor-like appearance. The anchor method involves three incisions: one incision made around the border of the areola, one descending from the base of the areola to the breast crease, and one curved incision along the breast crease. This method is often used to treat more severe cases of oversized breasts.

Liposuction Use

Liposuction alone is sometimes used to reduce breast size. One advantage is that it leaves little to no scarring. However, because liposuction removes only fatty tissue, this method only applies to patients with more fatty tissue than glandular tissue in their breasts. This method is also often used for male breast reductions to treat gynecomastia.

Recovery

Each patient heals at their own pace, but there are many steps you can take to improve your experience. Recovery will vary depending on the type of reduction the patient has received, but they should plan to wear a surgical support bra for several weeks to support and compress the breasts as they adjust to their new size and look. Your breasts may feel tender or sensitive, and it is common to experience overall numbness in the area. We can prescribe pain medication to soothe your discomfort, and it is recommended to walk within the first 24 hours of your surgery to promote steady circulation.

Showering should be avoided for two days, and sleeping with an elevated head and back is recommended. Patients can expect to return to work within two weeks, but any strenuous activity should be avoided for at least a month.

Results

Once the recovery process runs its course, patients will see notable changes in breast size, appearance, shape, and weight. The vast majority of women who choose breast reduction experience a renewed sense of confidence, improved self-esteem, and greater freedom to participate in various physical activities.

Corresponding Procedures

The breast reduction procedure can be performed with ancillary procedures if a patient wants to accomplish multiple aesthetic goals. Combination treatments may also be recommended to achieve the best possible results. Tummy tucks and liposuction are also common additions.

Breast Lift

Breast lifts may be performed alongside breast reductions to improve the position of the breasts, restoring sagging breasts to a lifted, youthful position. This helps create a stable foundation, allowing the breasts to retain a youthful appearance for much longer.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the gold standard of fat reduction treatment and is a technique that may be able to achieve adequate breast reduction. Liposuction is performed using thin, hollow tubes called cannulas that are connected to a suction device to remove excess fat. For breast reduction, removing excess fat will reshape the breasts and reduce their size and weight. Liposuction can be performed on any part of the body that is burdened with stubborn fat deposits.

Tummy Tuck

The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, reduces sagging skin from the abdomen to achieve a flatter, tighter stomach. A tummy tuck is often requested with a breast reduction treatment as part of a comprehensive Mommy Makeover treatment, which is a tailored cosmetic treatment designed to help women regain their pre-pregnancy bodies.

Cost of Breast Reduction in Portland

Each breast reduction treatment is uniquely customized to the patient’s case. There are no generic, one-size-fits-all treatments. Many factors influence the pricing of treatment, such as the severity of breast reduction, any ancillary procedures undergone at the same time, and the method of treatment. Some breast reductions are covered by insurance, especially if a primary care physician deems them medically necessary. Your treatment will be presented at your consultation, and an accurate, individual price estimate will be given at this time. Our practice also offers financing options to help patients better access treatment.

Schedule your consultation today to begin planning your ideal breast reduction. If you have any further questions, please call our Lake Oswego or Woodburn offices at (503) 353-0888.

FAQ

References

1. Purohit S. Reduction mammoplasty. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2008;41(Suppl):S64. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2825129/
2. Sachs D, Szymanski KD. Breast Reduction. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441974/