If you are a woman with overly large breasts you know the struggles that come with everyday activities. Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, indentations from heavy bra straps, and other symptoms can interrupt your daily routine. For some, the physical struggle of carrying the excess weight is not the only reason for seeking a solution; emotional discomfort and self-consciousness are also common. When the symptoms continue to get worse, one solution is a breast reduction surgery or reduction mammaplasty. As with all surgical procedures, there are essential factors to keep in mind. Age, BMI, personal habits, and overall health should be considered when deciding if a mammaplasty is right for you and if now is the right time.

You Are Finished Having Children or Do Not Plan on Having Children

The changes in your body during and after pregnancy (especially if breastfeeding) can have an effect on the shape and size of the breasts. This is an important consideration for women researching all types of breast surgeries, including a reduction mammaplasty. Stretching of the breast tissue, connective tissue, and ligaments during pregnancy can lead to sagging of the breasts and for some, stretch marks. After undergoing a surgical procedure to alter the look and size of your breasts, seeing those results fade away during pregnancy can be disappointing. If you are planning to have children in the future but still would like to a move forward with a mammaplasty now, be sure to discuss these plans with Dr. Franckle during your consultation so you can agree on the best approach for you.

You Are in Good Health

An important factor in the success and safety of a breast reduction procedure is the overall health of you, the patient. During your consultation with Dr. Franckle be prepared to discuss your medical history (including past operations), medical conditions, current medications, your family history of breast cancer and, depending on your age, the results of past mammograms. Apart from your physical health, Dr. Franckle will also take the time to fully discuss the procedure and ensure that you have realistic expectations for your outcome.

Your Lifestyle Can Provide Enough Time for Recovery

Recovery of any type of plastic surgery is a very common concern. It is also one of the most important factors to consider when researching a reduction mammaplasty. Your body will need time to heal and trying to do too much can have a negative effect on your final result. At our office, each patient is given aftercare instructions that we encourage them to follow carefully. The level of activity during recovery will depend on your particular situation (i.e. do you have young kids, does your occupation require you to stand most of the day, etc.). Generally speaking, most patients will take 5-7 days off from work. Heavy lifting and exercise should be avoided for 4-6 weeks following the procedure.

A reduction mammaplasty can be a life changer for many patients. Relieving the physical and emotional strain overly large breasts have on the body and at the same time working toward your aesthetic goals make this procedure popular among women of all ages. We hope these points have helped you decide if now is the right time for you to undergo a reduction mammaplasty. Ready to go? Give us a call for a consultation with Dr. Franckle!