Breast Reduction Surgery in Beverly Hills

 

Breast reduction treats oversized, heavy breasts that are too large for a woman’s frame and a source of physical and/or psychological discomfort. Breast reduction brings the breasts into better proportion with the rest of the body by removing excess tissue and skin.

Dr. Marc Mani, a breast reduction surgeon in Beverly Hills, has helped hundreds of women attain physical relief and freedom from the burdens of large breasts. His patients enjoy an improved overall appearance and enhanced self-confidence.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

You may be a candidate for breast reduction if you have naturally large breasts (due to genetic factors) or your breasts increased dramatically with pregnancy or nursing.

Breast reduction candidates typically experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Back/neck/shoulder pain from heavy breasts
• Grooves or indentations in the shoulders from bra straps
• Poor posture
• Numbness in parts of the breasts or upper chest from breast weight
• Difficulty breathing
• Limited physical activity
• Embarrassment or self-consciousness
• Difficulty finding clothing that fits

In order to be a suitable candidate for surgery, you should be in good physical and mental health with no active disease or pre-existing medical conditions that could raise the risk of surgical complications. Your skin should have some degree of elasticity so it can support the new breast contour after surgery. It’s important that you have realistic expectations of surgery and understand the possible outcomes and (rare) risks.

This information will be discussed during your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mani. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at (310) 203-0511.

Planning for Breast Reduction

Before scheduling plastic surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Mani will perform a physical examination of your breasts and take down a complete medical record. You will be asked about previous surgeries, the medications you take and your health history. You will also be asked about your expectations and ideal results. Dr. Mani will describe the approach he plans to take with your case.

After scheduling your procedure, you will receive instructions to prepare for the day of surgery. For example, you will be given a list of medications to avoid (aspirin, blood thinners) that could increase the surgical risks. If you smoke, you will need to quit several weeks prior to surgery. Additionally, you need to get plenty of sleep, eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet, exercise and take care of your body in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Beast Reduction Surgical Details

Breast reduction is performed as an outpatient procedure at our accredited surgical facility. You will receive anesthesia medications for your comfort.

Dr. Mani will select an incision pattern based on the size of your breasts, the degree of sagging and the position of your nipple-areola complex. The incisions may be made in one of the following configurations:

• Around the perimeter of the areola
• Around the perimeter of the areola and extending vertically down to the breast crease

Another common breast reduction incision is the anchor pattern, which includes the vertical incision plus a horizontal incision in the breast crease. Dr. Mani does not use this approach, as he is able to achieve superior results with fewer incisions via the vertical or minimal-incision techniques.

Through the incision, Dr. Mani will remove excess breast tissue, fat and skin. He will then reshape the remaining tissue to form a breast mound that is more proportional to the rest of the body. The nipple and areola may be moved to a higher location on the breast. Finally, Dr. Mani will close the incisions with sutures, dress the incisions and place a supportive garment around the breasts. Drains may be placed to eliminate fluid buildup during recovery.

Recovering from Breast Reduction

The breasts will be sore, swollen and bruised immediately following surgery; these side effects are only temporary and will subside with time. Any pain or discomfort can be alleviated with oral medication as prescribed by Dr. Mani.

As your breasts heal, you need to avoid any strenuous movement or activity that could cause a post-operative complication: this includes lifting heavy objects or participating in aerobic exercises. It’s important to get plenty of rest and follow Dr. Mani’s instructions for the smoothest recovery.

You will meet with Dr. Mani for several follow-up appointments. During these meetings, he will examine your breasts and note their healing progress, remove sutures and clear you to return to work, exercise and your normal routine. Though recovery differs for everyone, most patients take about two to four weeks to recuperate.

Breast Reduction Results

You will see immediate results after surgery, and results will continue to improve as swelling dissipates.

With smaller, lighter breasts, you will find it easier to dress your body and participate in physical activities and exercise. Also, you will feel more comfortable with your figure and may have the confidence to pursue new social or professional endeavors.

Scars will fade over time until they are nearly undetectable.

Breast Reduction FAQs

DOES BREAST REDUCTION CHANGE MY NIPPLES?

While it is not necessary to significantly alter your nipples and areolas with breast reduction, these changes are incorporated into many breast reduction surgeries at the patient’s request. Dr. Mani’s goal is to create breasts that look natural and proportional, so it is often a good idea to downsize the areolas so that they correspond with the new size of the breasts. The nipples can also be corrected so they point outward rather than downward for a perkier, more youthful appearance.

AT WHAT AGE CAN I HAVE BREAST REDUCTION?

Patients should usually be at least 18 years old to have breast reduction surgery. Because the breasts continue to grow throughout puberty, permanent results are only achieved when surgery is performed after the breasts have fully developed.

Although most women have breast reduction in their 20s and 30s, this is mainly because they know they want the surgery from a young age; in other words, there is no upper age limit for breast reduction. Dr. Mani performs breast reduction on many middle-aged and older women who saw their breasts enlarge due to pregnancy or who no longer wish to tolerate the discomfort associated with oversized breasts.

HOW MUCH DOES BREAST REDUCTION COST?

The price for breast reduction surgery varies, with the most relevant factors being the specific technique Dr. Mani performs and the amount of breast tissue removed. After Dr. Mani devises a customized surgical plan for you during a consultation, he can provide a quote so you can make an informed decision. Although breast reduction is generally considered a cosmetic surgery and is therefore not covered by health insurance, in some circumstances where large breasts cause significant back, neck, and shoulder pain, insurance may cover some or all of the procedure.

IS BREAST REDUCTION PERMANENT?

You should be able to enjoy your breast reduction results for the rest of your life. The key to indefinite results is to maintain a steady weight since fluctuation in weight (and even pregnancy) can alter the size and shape of your breasts once again. Otherwise, it is rare for new breast tissue to grow after puberty.

CAN I COMBINE BREAST REDUCTION WITH ANOTHER COSMETIC PROCEDURE?

Yes, Dr. Mani often performs multiple surgeries simultaneously to meet the patient’s cosmetic goals. He most often pairs breast reduction with breast lift to elevate the breasts to a more youthful position. Depending on the elasticity of your skin, your breasts may be prone to sagging after removing tissue, and this surgery addresses this issue. Some patients are also interested in body contouring procedures like tummy tuck or liposuction to ensure that the body proportions correspond after downsizing the breasts.

WILL I WEIGH LESS AFTER HAVING BREAST REDUCTION?

Since breast reduction removes excess tissue and fat, your body should weigh a bit less after your surgery. More importantly, you should look lighter by having improved body proportions. You may also find it easier to lose weight in the years to follow since your breast size should no longer hold you back from forms of exercise that may have previously been challenging for you.

Schedule a Breast Reduction Consultation

To learn more about breast reduction surgery, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Mani. Call our office at (310) 203-0511 or send us an email today.