Overview: Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery with Seattle cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Craig Jonov, can improve the size and shape of a woman’s breast. Women often seek a breast reduction to improve body proportion, reduce sagging, and to improve how clothing fits. This often a treatment for women who suffer from neck pain, back pain and other physical ailments from overly large breasts. Accordingly, this procedure is often safely utilized to provide a better quality of life. Breast reduction may involve using a variety of techniques, including liposuction only with just a small incision. For women who require a more extensive surgery, Dr. Jonov will discuss the best option in terms of incision placement and nipple repositioning so that the optimal results can be attained.

What Causes The Need For Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction reduces the size of breasts without implants (removing or reducing the size of existing implants is a breast revision). Some women are born with overly large breasts that hinder their everyday life. In some, this is genetic and not caused from other underlying conditions. Other women may have health or medical conditions that cause them to have overly large breasts. Regardless of the cause, overly large breasts usually require surgery for a visible difference in breast size.

Some causes of large breasts include:

Increased hormone levels
Sensitivity to hormones
Pregnancy
Some prescription medications

Many patients may not be able to pinpoint a cause of their overly large breasts. Sometimes, there is not a specific cause. Regardless, having breasts too large for your frame can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and side effects. This can affect your life and activities. For many, these hinderances in daily life are often what motivate patients to seek out a Seattle breast reduction.

Symptoms Of Overly Large Breasts

Candidates for a breast reduction often experience side effects and complications caused from having overly large breasts. Among the most common is back and neck pain. If your breasts are too heavy for your frame, this can put additional stress on your spine. This can cause back problems and frequent pain.

Along with pain, rashes and infections can spread easier under and on the breasts. This can cause long term discomfort. And, even with proper treatment, rashes and infections can return because of the difficulty of treating the area under the breast.

In most cases, a breast reduction in Seattle can alleviate your symptoms and increase your quality of life. Before undergoing the procedure, you should determine that your symptoms are solely caused from overly large breasts. During a consultation with Dr. Jonov, he can determine if you are a candidate for a breast reduction.

Breast Reduction Surgical Technique

During breast reduction surgery, choosing a surgeon with skill is important. In addition to minimizing scarring, there will be a focus on maintaining a healthy blood supply to the nipple areola complex. This is essential because once the nipple and areola are repositioned, blood vessels will then work to reestablish blood flow in order to prevent discoloration of the nipple and loss of feeling. Liposuction will remove excess breast tissue and surgery will remove loose skin.

There are multiple techniques used to perform a Bellevue breast reduction. The surgical method best for you will depend on many factors. This includes your health, the amount of reduction you want, and if you require other procedures alongside it. The three most common techniques are:

Anchor

The anchor method uses a similar technique to a breast lift. The incision circles the areola and then extends the breast and across the crease. This is the most common technique for a breast reduction surgery and allows for the largest amount of reduction. Dr. Jonov will perform the most minimal incision possible and suture carefully to promote less visible scarring.

Vertical

The vertical method follows a similar path to the anchor technique, except that it does not extend outward through the crease. This results in less scarring, but does only result in a moderate reduction. Therefore, for women who only desire a mild decrease in breast size, this technique may provide the results they are looking for.

Liposuction

In some cases of breast reduction in Bellevue, liposuction can provide a sufficient reduction. Women who need only a small reduction may be candidates for a less invasive liposuction breast reduction. Additionally, liposuction requires only a tiny incision for the insertion of the liposuction cannula.

The best way to know which breast reduction technique will provide your desired results is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery. He can examine your medical history and breasts to determine which will benefit you best.

Before & After Breast Reduction

Benefits Of Breast Reduction In Kirkland

The benefits you see from your breast reduction will vary because every woman has unique breasts and concerns. However, for those with overly large breasts, they can expect to see a decrease in their symptoms. In general, the benefits of breast reduction include:

Decrease or elimination of neck and back pain caused by large breasts
Better fitting clothes
Improved breast symmetry
Reduction in rashes and infections related to large breasts
Improvement in exercise and quality of life

Complementary Procedures:

Many other cosmetic procedures can complement your breast reduction results. With your new proportions, you may desire an enhancement of other parts of the body. Cosmetic procedures that Dr. Jonov can usually perform concurrently with your reduction include:

Questions about Breast Reduction

Long-Lasting Results?

The results following breast reduction surgery should remain the same. Assuming a significant amount of weight gain does not occur. The natural aging process and gravity will, over time, change the laxity of a woman’s breast, but the size should remain steady if there is not a subsequent pregnancy or major weight gain.

Areola Reduction?

One of the drawbacks to having excessively large breasts is an enlarged areola (the slightly darker area surrounding the nipple). Thankfully, breast reduction surgery corrects this. Since the incision occurs around the areola, it is a relatively simple technique to trim away the desired amount of areola and reshape it into a smaller size so it looks proportional with the new breast size and shape.

Average Reduction Size?

This varies depending on the patient’s aesthetic and physical goals. After breast reduction surgery, it is common to go down a complete cup size, if not two. Your results also hinge on your current breast size because it will determine how much reduction you can see.

Incision Placement

The “anchor” incision is one of the most commonly used techniques during this surgery. An incision is made around the areola, which extends down to follow the natural curve and crease of the breast. It is also referred to as a vertical “T”. Once the breast is resized and reshaped, Dr. Jonov will reposition the nipple and areola. Finally, he will perform a lift so the breasts sit higher on the chest.

The incisions will generally include absorbable stitches on the inside of the breast. There are variations to this incision pattern that can be used depending on breast size and aesthetic goals.

Contact Us

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jonov or with questions about the Breast Reduction procedure at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery serving Kirkland, Bellevue & Lynnwood, WA.

During/After Breast Reduction

Our surgeons perform breast reductions under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility as an outpatient procedure. It typically takes about 2-4 hours to complete. During surgery, a draining tube may be placed to control bleeding and swelling.

For the first several weeks, we direct patients to wear a surgical bra or compression garment. Most patients are able to return to work within 1-2 weeks, and may begin exercising by 4-6 weeks. The visible results of a breast reduction will be immediate. However, it may take 6 months or longer for nipple sensitivity to return.

Top Breast Reduction Surgeon in Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland

Choosing the right surgeon for your breast reduction can be a long and arduous process. Dr. Craig Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. Therefore, as an expert in cosmetic surgery, he can guide you on your journey to reducing your breast size.

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offers unique amenities like hot coffee, tea, cookies, and water. We aim to make every appointment and experience unique and reassuring. With a convenient location off the freeway in Lynnwood, we serve all of the Greater Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland areas.

Breast reduction can make exercising and going about your daily activities easier. At your consultation, Dr. Jonov will want to understand the issues your breasts cause, what you expect from your results, and your medical history. After conducting an examination, he will determine if you are a candidate for breast reduction.

”I was very skeptical to get a Breast Augmentation at first but I figured I would make a consultation appointment to see what they had to say. Dr. Jonov and his assistants made me feel very comfortable about making my decision. It has been a month since my surgery date and I couldn’t be happier. The staff is so pleasant to be around and always has smiles lit up on there faces. They even greet me by name which makes me feel important, especially since they remember exactly who I am. I am very happy I decided to undergo Breast Augmentation and am very happy with the helpful team at Gallaria of Cosmetics! Thanks all!