Breast Reduction in San Francisco
A breast reduction is a procedure that removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts, which makes them smaller, firmer and lighter. The goal of a breast reduction in San Francisco is to lessen the size and weight of the breasts so that the patient is more comfortable and her breasts are more proportionate with the rest of her body. Uncomfortably large breasts can cause pain and back problems, so the procedure is usually performed for physical relief rather that cosmetic enhancement, although it will improve your appearance as well. A breast reduction in San Francisco by Plastic Surgery Specialists can have great physical benefits as well as nice cosmetic results. For a breast reduction consultation, please fill out the form at the top of the page.
Good Candidates for Breast Reduction
If you are interested in a breast reduction in San Francisco, it's important to know if you qualify for the procedure. You may be a good candidate for a breast reduction if you have one or more of the following:
- Breasts that are disproportionately large for your body
- One breast that is noticeably larger than the other
- Heavy breasts that cause hunching over and back or neck pain
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Indentations on your shoulders from bra straps
- Restriction of physical activity because of large breast size
Questions About Breast Reduction in San Francisco
Q: Will my insurance cover a Breast Reduction operation?A: Insurance companies vary greatly in their willingness to pay for Breast Reduction surgery as it does cross over into the field of esthetic surgery. Some carriers require removal of a certain number of grams and some require weight loss, physical therapy, etc. prior to authorizing an operation. We will be happy to write a letter to your insurance carrier on your behalf. Our patient coordinator will discuss with you our standard fees and to what degree your insurance reimbursement may offset them.
Q: Will Breast Reduction usually alleviate my back and neck pain?
A: In nearly all cases, Breast Reduction provides significant relief of discomfort. Most patients find that they are able to undertake activities they were previously unable to consider such as sports, jogging, etc.
Q: Do you have to remove the nipple to uplift the breast?
A: In the best majority of cases, the nipple remains attached to the underlying breast tissue and it is simply reshaped and the skin appropriately contoured. Rarely, for patients with very large breasts, removal and replacement of the nipple as a free graft may be the best and safest procedure.
Q: What size will I be after the operation?
A: Much like Breast Augmentation, there are various sizes which may be appropriate each individual. In general, we wish to reshape the breast to a size that is in harmony with your overall body contour. In our experience, most patients who have been very large breasted are not comfortable being an A-cup and choose C or even smaller.
Q: How long will the surgery take and what is the recovery like?
A: Most Breast Reductions require about 3 hours of surgery. Today, most patients are able to leave the surgical facility and return home after the procedure. Recovery usually requires approximately a week before returning to most normal activities and 2-3 weeks before beginning vigorous exercise.
Q: Is it possible to have a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction at the same time?
A: Yes, many patients that we see are interested in consultation due to our expertise in “Mommy Makeover Surgery.” In this procedure, we often address a combination of breast, tummy, and body contour changes that have resulted from pregnancies. In any case, reducing and uplifting the breast will make a very large or pendulous tummy seem out of proportion. Our goal is to achieve a good body contour with good proportion. We have two Board Certified Surgeons who work together which can reduce surgery time and allow for these procedures to be done in a very safe and controlled environment.
Q: Is it possible to do a reduction with liposuction only?
A: Liposuction, especially ultrasonic liposuction is certainly a useful tool in some breast reductions. However, it is unusual to perform breast reduction with liposuction only as the breast usually needs to be lifted to some degree at the same time.
For more information on breast procedures such as Breast Augmentation in San Francisco, please contact us for a consultation today.
