Large breasts can cause a host of problems for our patients such as, neck, back and shoulder pain. In addition finding suitably fitting clothes is often problematic (forget about button-down shirts) and rashes underneath the fold can be annoying. Heavy large breasts usually sag sooner or later, and many of our patients abhor their shape as well as their size because of the frequent lateral overhang of fat. Breast reduction decreases the size of the breasts but in addition Dr. Gallagher always lifts and shapes the breast as part of the procedure.
Why Breast Reduction?
Usually large breasted patients have tried a number of other options such as weight loss before seeking surgery. Unfortunately genetics are usually at play and a patient with “macromastia” (the medical term for large breasts) will rarely be able to reduce the breasts significantly or find ways of easing the back pain short of the reduction surgery.
What to Expect?
At your visit Dr. Gallagher will talk to you about your general health and wellness before doing a very important exam of the breasts (safety is paramount!). Dr. Gallagher will then plan the breast size with you and discuss which incisions will be needed to reduce the size and lift the breasts.
Breast Reduction Surgery
This surgery is done under general anesthesia with some patients choosing to stay overnight. No stitches need to be removed and a patient can take a shower in about two days. Typically a patient will return to work about two weeks after the surgery. Dr. Gallagher never uses drains for this procedure.
