Balanced is Beautiful
Women with large, pendulous breasts often have trouble with back and neck pain, skin irritation, shoulder grooving from their bra straps, and even numbness and tingling in their fingers from the weight of their breasts.
DD is proportionately large breasts can make a woman feel self-conscious and make finding clothing that fits very difficult. With breast reduction New Jersey patients can take control of their physique by reducing their breasts and refining their shape. Dr. Joseph Capella, MD, FACS, has over two decades of experience specializing in body contouring and plastic surgery after weight loss. Having performed over 10,000 body contouring procedures, he is well-respected in his field. His research, presentations, and publications reflect his dedication to surgical innovation and safety. In his work, he has also collaborated with his father, Dr. Rafael Capella, a well-known bariatric surgeon.
Discover how breast reduction with Dr. Capella can help you feel comfortable and confident in your body. Read on to learn more, or call Capella Plastic Surgery today to schedule your breast reduction consultation.
Background On Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast Reduction is designed to reduce the size and weight of large breasts by removing skin, breast gland, and fat. By unloading the neck and upper back, there is almost always a dramatic functional improvement in such patients.
The goals of the surgery are not only to improve one’s appearance but also to improve function by liberating the individual to perform many activities they are unable to perform with the burden of their breasts. This procedure is usually performed in women who have fully developed breasts, but occasionally it is necessary in younger teenage girls when the breasts cause serious physical discomfort. At our office in New Jersey Breast reduction patients are usually very satisfied with the procedure and often wish they had it earlier.
Move Freely
Our Breast reduction patients enjoy greater physical comfort and ease of movement without the weight and bulk of excessive breast tissue. Smaller, more proportional breasts can immediately alleviate chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain.
The skin irritation many larger-breasted women experience under their breasts will also be reduced or eliminated. Bras will fit more comfortably without leaving pressure grooves in the skin of the shoulders. It may be possible to wear more clothing styles with comfort and confidence. Engaging in a wider variety of physical activities will also be easier, letting you enjoy sports or hobbies that larger breasts make it difficult to participate in.
Careful Planning for Beautiful Results
Dr. Capella will meet with you personally, and after gathering a thorough medical history, he will examine your breasts and take measurements to determine the amount of breast tissue he expects to remove to give you a size appropriate to the rest of your physical characteristics.
While one of the goals of the Breast Reduction surgery is to improve the appearance of your breasts, enough breast tissue should be removed to relieve the symptoms often associated with large breasts: back pain, rashes under the breasts, and shoulder discomfort. Dr. Capella will work closely with you to achieve a good functional and aesthetic outcome.
Preparing for a Successful Procedure
You will visit with Dr. Capella several weeks prior to surgery. It is imperative that patients refrain from ingesting any medications or other substances that could potentially be the cause of surgical complications.
A list of medications should be reviewed and discontinued at least two weeks prior to operation. In women aged 30 and above, a baseline mammogram must be obtained prior to the operation. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed to reduce the risk of surgical wound infection. A prescription for pain medication is also written so that you have your medication when you return home from the operation. Pre-operative photographs are taken so that you can see the improvement from your surgery afterward.
We generally take post-operative photographs three to six months after your procedure. You will be asked to sign a surgical consent, which enumerates the risks of the procedure in detail. These risks are explained below but are also discussed at the consultation. You will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from the operating suite. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and recently sedated patients will not be placed into taxis for transport home. We can arrange for medical transportation in the event that you cannot arrange for someone to drive you. It is mandatory to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery for your comfort.
Prior to your Breast Reduction New Jersey experts at Capella Plastic Surgery will take photographs of your breasts and any other areas upon which Dr. Capella will be operating. Specific instructions regarding the date and time of your procedure will be given to you. You are not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Exceptions may be made for certain individuals. You will need to arrange for an adult to drive you to the surgical facility on the day of the operation and for the first visit after the surgery. You should wear loose-fitting clothing that will wash easily in the event they are soiled. Do not wear jewelry or contact lenses or bring valuables to the operating room. Remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts; this can interfere with the procedure and may represent a safety threat to you because of the use of electrocautery during the procedure.
The Day Of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast Reduction is performed under general anesthesia. Typically, the operation takes about two hours but may be longer in women with extremely large breasts.
Prior to the operation, Dr. Capella will outline the planned incisions on your breasts with a marking pen with you sitting upright. These skin markings provide a guide for the surgery. During the procedure, the breast tissue to remain with the nipple and areola is preserved, and the excess skin and breast tissue are removed. This is done in such a way as to preserve the best possible circulation to the nipple and areola and the smaller mound of breast beneath it. Flaps of skin are developed and are used to wrap the breast tissue in a tighter envelope, thus moving the nipple to a higher level on the chest and giving the breast its new contour. Dr. Capella’s breast reduction technique includes this breast lift step. All incisions are closed with dissolving-type stitches. A bra and soft dressings are placed for comfort and support. After the operation, you will need to spend at least an hour in the recovery room in order to recover from the anesthetic.
Completely Customized for You
As post-procedure swelling and other symptoms subside, you will be able to enjoy your breasts’ new shape and size. Breast reduction has the advantage of letting you decide on the ideal breast size to complement your body type and meet your aesthetic as well as functional preferences. Scars will continue to lighten over time. As you get back to your daily routine, you will have relief from the back pain, skin irritation, and other symptoms that your larger breasts caused. Your entire physical profile may look more trim and athletic, and you will feel more comfortable engaging in more physical activities.
What to Expect After Surgery
You will need to have someone stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after your Breast Reduction Surgery. There is moderate pain that is well controlled with the pain medication that Dr. Capella prescribes. You will take three doses of antibiotics after surgery.
You may shower two days following surgery, at which time all dressings may be removed. Mild soap and water may come in contact with your breasts. Scrubbing of the breasts should be avoided. You will be advised to wear a comfortable bra (no underwire) around the clock for the first week and daily thereafter. Your first follow-up visit will be one week following surgery. No stitches need to be removed as they are all dissolvable. Walking is encouraged as soon after surgery as possible. However, heavy lifting and vigorous activities involving the upper body should be avoided for six weeks. Activities involving heavy perspiration should be avoided for two weeks. You should avoid sexual activity for a week, as hormonal stimulation may make your breasts swell and lead to increased pain.
Vigorous breast massage should be avoided for six to eight weeks. The first menstrual cycle may bring swelling and pain out of proportion to your normal cycle. You may experience random shooting-type pains for the first several months following the operation. There is often numbness of the nipples and breast skin for the first six to eight weeks due to the swelling of the breast, but this should subside. In unusual cases, the loss of sensation is permanent. The optimal appearance of the scars occurs only after one to two years. The immediate appearance of the breasts changes over time. The breasts will become slightly smaller as the swelling subsides. They will also descend to a certain extent as the effects of gravity act on the newly tightened skin envelope. Most Breast Reduction patients find this to be beneficial in that the breasts look more natural after they have had time to “settle in.”
Complications of breast surgery are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection, bleeding, or a reaction to the anesthetic or sedative medications. You may have temporary or even permanent areas of altered sensation, including numbness. Rarely, the nipple and areola may lose their blood supply. There is usually some difference in the size of breasts normally, and this is almost never perfectly correctable. There are fairly lengthy skin incisions that require a period of up to a year or two for completion of the scarring process for optimal appearance. In some ethnic skin types, scarring can be more prominent and may require further treatment. The doctor will discuss your particular scarring potential in more detail at the time of your consultation.
Yes. Dr. Capella would be performing a breast lift along with a breast reduction.
Many women seeking breast reduction complain about back pain, grooving of their bra straps, and irritation under the breasts. The primary goal of a breast reduction is to address these concerns. Women may choose to be smaller, but most choose to be approximately a C cup.
No. A C cup for a tall, heavy woman is different from a C cup for a smaller, thin woman.
Schedule your consultation to discuss your body contouring concerns with Dr. Joseph Capella.
Give yourself the gift of expert care and world-class results. Schedule your remote or in-person consultation with Dr. Capella to receive care from the field’s foremost authority in body contouring after weight loss.
545 Island Road, Suite 2A, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446