Breast Reduction
Many women struggle with macromastia (overly large breasts) that impact their quality of life. Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, removes the excess breast tissue and elevates the bust for a proportionate body shape. Dr. Georgina Nichols offers breast reduction in Sacramento and has helped women achieve beautiful results with her compassionate and tailored approach to breast surgery.
Your Breast Reduction with Dr. Nichols
Large breasts often cause painful symptoms and prevent women from enjoying specific clothing and activities. Breast reduction with Dr. Nichols removes glandular and fatty tissue as well as excess skin from the breasts to form a smaller shape. Dr. Nichols may recommend the procedure if you have back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin chafing, and other issues caused by macromastia.
Is Breast Reduction with Dr. Nichols Right for You?
Candidates for breast reduction must be in good physical health, nonsmokers, bothered by large breasts, and have realistic expectations for their results. Breast reduction is often considered medically necessary when large breasts affect your overall wellbeing.
The disproportionate breast size may cause physical and emotional issues, such as muscle or joint pain from the extra weight, hunched posture, skin rashes, uncomfortable bra strap indentations, skin infections, and embarrassing pendulous breasts. Women with macromastia can’t enjoy running or other activities because of the discomfort the movement causes. While reduction mammoplasty is typically performed to alleviate symptoms associated with large breasts, women may pursue breast reduction as a cosmetic procedure if they want a smaller breast size but don’t struggle with the above symptoms.
Dr. Nichols can determine if breast reduction is right for you during your consultation at The Plastic Surgery Center. She will evaluate your breasts, discuss your medical history and goals for your body and recommend the best surgical approach to achieve a breast size that’s more proportionate to your figure.
Breast Reduction Options with Dr. Nichols
Reduction mammoplasty involves various incisions and techniques to remove excess fat, skin, and glandular tissues.
The surgical technique recommended by Dr. Nichols depends on your anatomy, skin quality, personal preferences, breast composition, and the amount of reduction needed. Breast reduction typically involves one of three incision types to remove excess tissue and elevate sagging breasts, including:
- A circular incision pattern around the areola shaped like a donut (two circles)
- A keyhole-shaped pattern with incisions around the areola and down in a vertical line to the breast crease (inframammary fold) like the shape of a lollipop
- An inverted T or anchor-shaped incision with circular incisions around the areola, a vertical incision down to the crease, and a third horizontal incision along the inframammary fold
Once Dr. Nichols has access to the tissues, she may reduce the size of the areola and nipple by removing skin from the perimeter. The nipple stays connected to the original nerve and blood supply. She then removes tissues and lifts and shapes the breast. Women with severe breast drooping or pendulous breasts may need their nipples transplanted to a higher position on the breasts; this is called a free nipple graft.
The incisions are closed around the smaller breast with layered sutures in the tissues to support the new breast shape. Results are immediately noticeable, and bras and swimwear can conceal the incision lines.
Why Choose Dr. Nichols at The Plastic Surgery Center
Dr. Georgina Nichols is known for her excellent bedside manner and dedication to providing patients with beautiful results. Her feminine touch and aesthetic eye make her the ideal plastic surgeon for breast reduction and other plastic surgeries. She has published numerous articles in academic journals and presented at industry conferences. Dr. Nichols believes patient education is paramount for a successful outcome. She takes the time to get to know each patient and their cosmetic concerns during consultations.
Breast Reduction FAQs
How much does breast reduction cost?
The cost of a breast reduction surgery depends largely on the amount of tissue that Dr. Nichols removes from your breasts. Breast reduction is usually considered a cosmetic procedure, although it is sometimes covered in part by insurance if it is performed to alleviate chronic physical pain. Dr. Nichols’s office is happy to provide a more precise quote after a personal consultation.
What is breast reduction recovery like?
Recovery from breast reduction surgery can vary, but patients generally experience some soreness, swelling, and bruising. Dr. Nichols advises taking one to two weeks off from work to rest and heal. Physical activities should be limited during this period to promote healing. Patients are usually required to wear a special supportive bra at all times in the first few weeks post-surgery. Full recovery and the final shape of the breasts can take several months to develop. Dr. Nichols will schedule follow-up appointments to address any concerns during the recovery period.
Do I need to combine breast reduction with breast lift?
When tissue is removed from the breasts, the excess breast skin can exaggerate breast sagging. To counteract this droopiness, Dr. Nichols typically incorporates elements of breast lift into breast reduction surgery to ensure that the breasts still look youthful and attractive at their smaller size.
What are complementary procedures?
Depending on a patient’s aesthetic goals, complementary procedures may enhance the overall outcome. These can include liposuction to improve the contour of the surrounding areas, such as the underarm or back, or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) for patients looking to address concerns in the abdominal area in addition to breast surgery. Dr. Nichols can discuss these options during your consultation and tailor a surgical plan to your needs.
At what age can a woman have breast reduction?
Breast reduction surgery is typically recommended for women whose breasts are fully developed. This usually means waiting until after the age of 18. However, in cases where large breasts are causing significant physical discomfort or emotional distress, the procedure may be considered at a younger age. Dr. Nichols evaluates younger patients on a case-by-case basis, accounting for physical development, emotional maturity, and the potential for future breast growth.
Is breast reduction permanent?
Breast reduction results are generally long-lasting. However, factors such as significant weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, and pregnancy can affect breast size and shape over time. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle can help preserve the results of your surgery. Dr. Nichols provides guidance on what to expect in the long term during your consultation.
Will breast reduction change the appearance of my nipples?
Sometimes, a woman’s nipples and areolas can look overly large on smaller breasts. Therefore, breast reduction surgery often includes reshaping the breast and repositioning the nipple to achieve a more proportional look. Dr. Nichols employs meticulous surgical techniques to ensure the most natural-looking results possible. Scarring around the nipple is typically minimal and well-concealed. During your consultation, Dr. Nichols will discuss how the surgery might impact the appearance of your nipples and what can be expected in terms of scarring and sensation.
Schedule a Breast Reduction Consultation with Dr. Nichols
If you struggle with large breasts, schedule a breast reduction consultation with Dr. Nichols at The Plastic Surgery Center. Contact our Sacramento, California, office at (916) 471-4682.
