From an interview with
Dr. Dustin Eck
McLeod Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Large breasts can present both physical and emotional problems for a woman. McLeod Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Dustin Eck explains the process and possibilities of breast reduction.

Here are Dr. Eck’s major points:
A breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is designed to remove some of the excess skin along with breast and glandular tissue.  The goal is to achieve a smaller breast proportioned to the patient’s body, while alleviating some of the physical discomfort that comes along with having a large breast.

Having large breasts can also have negative psychological effects. Some patients feel very self-conscious about their large breasts.

For a patient undergoing breast reduction, the standard recovery is about two weeks until they get back to most of their daily activity. I ask most of my patients to refrain from strenuous activity for up to six weeks. Starting about three weeks after surgery, most of my can start low impact activity or light exercise, increasing activity over the next several weeks. Most patients should refrain from heavy activity or lifting for about six weeks after surgery.  Depending on their job or profession, most patients can get back to work within about two weeks after surgery.

Standard scars for breast reduction usually go around the nipple, straight down and, sometimes, underneath the breast. That allows me to remove extra breast tissue, then, bring the nipple and areola back to a more aesthetically pleasing area on the breast. These scars normally take several weeks to heal, but really it takes about six months to a year for scars to totally mature and fade.

Patients interested in undergoing a breast reduction may have to make some minor lifestyle changes. One major issue concerns patients, who smoke, vape or use any other nicotine products. They are at much higher risk of postoperative complications, such as healing of the incision or loss of skin. Most of my patients should stop smoking at least four weeks before the surgery and for several weeks after the surgery.

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