Large, pendulous breasts can cause numerous problems for women, ranging from aesthetic issues to serious physical concerns. Common complications from oversized breasts include skin irritation, indentations on shoulders caused by bra straps, and frequent back and neck pain. Large and sagging breasts can leave individuals feeling insecure about their looks, and generally uncomfortable.
A breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) procedure performed by Dr. Amy Ortega for patients in Melbourne, the Orlando/Central Florida area, and beyond may be the only solution for oversized breasts. The operation is performed for both aesthetic and medical reasons, minimizing excess fat and skin in the breasts.
Patients often feel more confident and comfortable after a breast reduction, and enjoy an improved body shape and more proportional breasts. While common for women, this procedure can also be performed on men who suffer from gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary
View Our Before & After Photos
After interviewing several surgeons, I choose Dr. Ortega for her honest and caring approach. She gave me all the time I needed and answered my questions thoroughly, leaving me feeling confident and educated about my choice to have surgery. The recovery process was much easier than I anticipated, and the scars are healing well. The follow up support has been fantastic. I highly recommend Dr. Ortega and her team!
*All patients are unique and individual results may vary.
Your Breast Reduction Consultation
Before undergoing breast reduction, you will visit Dr. Ortega for your consultation which will involve a detailed look at your medical history and current medical conditions. You may need to provide information about previous breast examinations and whether you have ever had a lump removed from your breasts.
In general, you will need to be in good physical and mental shape to undergo this procedure, so being honest about your lifestyle is important. It is also important to tell Dr. Ortega about any medications you are currently taking, including herbal supplements and vitamins. During the meeting, you will also be able to discuss with Dr. Ortega your reasons for the surgery and your expectations.
Your breasts will be measured and photos may also be taken. Dr. Ortega will also tell you how much tissue and skin is to be removed during the reduction operation and how you can plan for the procedure. For two weeks before the surgery, you will have to stop smoking and taking medications such as aspirin.
Breast Reduction Candidates
Women with oversized breasts, either through natural growth or from pregnancy or excess weight, are ideal candidates for a reduction procedure, although patients should be of good health and stable weight. If your large breasts are causing you discomfort, then a breast reduction procedure can help restore your comfort and confidence and allow you to wear what you want without fear of attracting unwanted attention.
Ideal candidates are those who want to:
- Reduce large, pendulous breasts and improve the breast shape and nipple size and position
- Improve overall body shape and make the breasts proportional to the size of your body
- Ease back and neck pain caused by excessively heavy and pendulous breasts
- Fight skin irritation and bra strap indentations and general physical discomfort from large breasts
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The Breast Reduction Procedure in Melbourne
The breast reduction procedure performed by Dr. Ortega takes between three and four hours and is performed with the patient placed under deep sedation or general anesthesia. There are different surgical techniques depending on the amount of reduction, which in turn will mean Dr. Ortega will have several incision options to discuss with you.
An anchor incision is the most common technique, where Dr. Ortega will make an incision around the areola and then vertically down the breast and along the crease where the breast meets the ribs. In all instances, Dr. Ortega works hard to make scar placement as inconspicuous as possible.
There are other incision types for procedures that require less reduction. The lollipop breast reduction allows Dr. Ortega to incise around the areola and vertically down the breast, but not across the crease.
In all operations, Dr. Ortega will remove excess fat and tissue from the breast and tighten the skin to reshape the breast. During the consultation the nature of your particular procedure and the techniques available to you will be explained in detail.
Breast Reduction Recovery
Breast Reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure that means most patients are home the same day as the operation. Immediately after the procedure, patients will be placed in a special compression wrap that will aid in the recovery of the breasts.
Discomfort and mild pain may be experienced, but Dr. Ortega will prescribe medication to help alleviate any pain you feel. In most cases, individuals say that back and neck pain caused by large breasts eases instantly after the operation, but even so the compression bra needs to be worn for several weeks until the bruising and swelling resolve.
You should be moving around moderately the same day, but it is advisable for patients to be off work for a long weekend. Heavy lifting, physical exertion, and pushing should be able to be resumed after about six weeks.
Why Choose Our Practice?
With 20 years of experience and a respected compassionate approach to breast and body plastic surgery, double fellowship educated Dr. Amy Ortega performs breast reduction for patients in Melbourne and surrounding cities. An award-winning board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ortega has been named one of the “10 Best” plastic surgeons in Florida. Dr. Ortega is one of the most respected plastic surgery professionals in the country and is highly regarded for her sensitive interaction with patients and her long-lasting results that transform lives.
Breast Reduction FAQ
Is the procedure permanent?
In the majority of cases, the removal of skin and fatty tissue from the breasts produces permanent results. However, the aging process and weight fluctuations can affect the results.
Will I have scars?
Yes. Unfortunately scars are part of the compromise patients make when going through breast reduction. However, Dr. Ortega places the scars as inconspicuously as possible, and they do fade over time.
There are so many breast reduction procedure types. How do I know which is for me?
During the consultation, Dr. Ortega will discuss with you which type of breast reduction and incision you will need. The nature of your procedure will depend on factors such as the size of your breasts in relation to your body and weight, and how much fat and skin need to be removed.
