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Will Breasts Remain Full After Breast Reduction Surgery?

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Miguel Delgado, M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

Miguel Delgado, M.D.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

★★★★★ Ratings: 4.74 -118 Reviews

Breast Reduction Goals

As noted on this website, there are several different breast reduction procedures. The amount of fullness will depend on the technique used, the talent of the surgeon, the quality and firmness of the breasts prior to surgery. Usually when the nipple maintains its blood supply, fullness for the upper pole tends to be maintained.

By definition, a breast reduction surgeon’s goal is to reduce the volume of the breast. However, Miguel Delgado, M.D.’s objective, in addition, is a natural appearing shaped breast.

Avoiding “Bottoming Out”

The inverted T is usually for larger breasted women, but over time the skin may stretch out resulting in “bottoming out.” There are techniques surgeons use to try to prevent bottoming out such as positioning the breast pedicle to a more superior position. Some surgeons use internal sutures.

The short scar technique, also known as the lollipop, or vertical breast reduction, maintains fullness better with less bottoming out. The short scar technique is a very popular procedure for women with moderate sized breasts.

 

Breast Reduction Vertical

CASE DESCRIPTION: This is a 32-year-old resident of San Rafael, California who is seen in the Novato office in Marin County. She is 5 feet 4 inches, 130 pounds, and underwent a short scar vertical breast reduction at the Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center. Her size was reduced from a size F to a size C. The photographs are seen approximately nine months after surgery and the incisions are starting to fade quite nicely.

 

Some techniques can leave the breast looking boxy and flat. Other techniques rely on internal shaping to give the breasts projection and natural looking fullness. The surgeon’s goal is not to remove tissue above where the nipple will be placed, maintaining maximum fullness in the upper pole.

Patience for Patients

The patient must be “patient” and allow time for the breasts to settle into their new position. Unfortunately, for some women, over time gravity may cause their breasts to sag, or they may lose fullness due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging. Breast reduction patients need to have realistic expectations.

Communication with your surgeon as to your goals is most important. Be sure to view before and after pictures so you can get a clear idea of what results you might expect.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Miguel Delgado, M.D. has been performing breast reduction surgery since 1988. His reduction mammoplasty results are excellent; making breast reduction one of the most pleasing procedures he performs according to his patients, whose only complaint is that they wish they had the surgery sooner.

Schedule a Consultation!

Call today (415 898-4161) or email ([email protected]) for a consultation or to answer any questions you may have.

Husband Upset About Wife’s Breast Reduction Surgery?

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Miguel Delgado, M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

Miguel Delgado, M.D.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

★★★★★ Ratings: 4.74 -118 Reviews

 

 

Breast Reduction Obstacles

San Francisco, CA-Some women in need of breast reduction surgery may find some difficult obstacles they need to overcome before proceeding. There may be issues in getting time off work, arranging for help with children and household duties, someone to pick them up after surgery and give post-operative care for 24 hours.

Dr. Delgado says the most challenging complication may be a husband or significant other who is against the surgery. Many men like their wives the way they are and are very fearful of them having surgery.

Before and After Breast Reduction Mammoplasty Surgery

Before and After Reduction Mammoplasty Surgery

This is a 23-year-old resident of San Francisco and seen in the Marin County Office for a breast reduction. She is 5 feet 2 inches, 167 pounds. She underwent an inverted T breast reduction at the Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center. She went from a size DDD to a C cup in size. The photographs are approximately nine months after surgery. Note the nicely fading incisions.

 

Getting support from your husband can be a big help, so being sensitive to his feelings is definitely something to consider. Here are some suggestions of what you can do to bring him around:

1. Take him to meet your surgeon, let the surgeon explain how the surgery is done.
2. Have your husband see before and after pictures of other patients
3. Be sure he feels comfortable to ask the surgeon any questions he may have
4. Have you explained why you want the surgery?
5. Back and neck pain?
6. Rashes under the breasts?
7. Difficulty in fitting into clothes off the rack?
8. Inability to participate in sports and/or exercise?

Remember the unknown can be scary, the more your husband understands, the less apprehension he may have.

The New You

If you decide to proceed without your husband’s support, as many women do, be patient, give him time to adjust. You may want to wait until most of the healing has taken place before revealing your new breasts. Perhaps you could buy some sexy new nighties and clothing that will show off your new figure.

In any case, he will probably appreciate the new you, a woman who is happy with herself and pain free for the first time in many years.

It’s Easy to Schedule a Consultation!

If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you are invited to bring your husband to a consultation with Dr. Delgado, who will explain exactly what can be expected from surgery and answer all your questions. Dr. Delgado will show both of you many before and after pictures of women just like you that say their only misgiving is that they did not have the surgery years ago. Dr. Delgado, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, has been performing breast reduction surgery for men and women since 1988.

Call today for an appointment (415 898-4161) or email ([email protected]), you’ll be glad you did!

Can Breast Reduction Surgery be Combined With Other Procedures?

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Miguel Delgado, M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

Miguel Delgado, M.D.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

★★★★★ Ratings: 4.74 -118 Reviews

For San Francisco Bay Area women who decide to proceed with a reduction mammoplasty surgical procedure, it is not unusual for them to ask if other procedures can be done at the same time.

Dr. Delgado does multiple procedures frequently as long as the patient is healthy. For example, the popular Mommy Makeover can include a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction. Men who elect to have male breast reduction surgery, known as gynecomastia, also frequently combine additional procedures.

Mommy Makeover

This is a 35-year-old resident of Mill Valley, California who presented to the Novato office in Marin County for evaluation of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). She had a large weight loss due to diet and exercise. She underwent a full tummy tuck, breast reduction and liposuction of her flanks. Her surgery was performed at Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center in Marin County, California.

 

Breast reduction is usually done as an outpatient procedure, however, if additional procedures are going to be added, an overnight stay will most likely be necessary. It is not surprising that many women choose to add procedures so that they can take advantage of their time off for recovery, and to save time and money. The amount of surgery to be done will depend on the patient’s health and Dr. Delgado’s evaluation of what is appropriate.

Dr. Delgado has his own private surgery center that offers his patients the best concierge care. Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center (MCSC) is accredited by Medicare and the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (Quad A), meaning it meets the highest of standards. In the rare event of a medical emergency, Novato Community Hospital is just steps away.

Patients who stay overnight will have a registered nurse who is certified in “advanced cardiac life support” (ACLS) and an additional staff member for further comfort and safety. The surgery center has its own entrance providing privacy for Dr. Delgado’s patients.

phoneDuring your initial consultation, Dr. Delgado will be glad to discuss any and all of your cosmetic surgery goals and determine what combination of procedures is feasible and safe. Call today (415 898-4161) or email ([email protected])for your personal consultation with Dr. Delgado and find out what options are available to you.

The Purpose of Drains After Breast Reduction Surgery

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San Francisco, California-Drainage tubes are placed at the end of several different major types of cosmetic plastic surgery, including but not limited to: gynecomastia (male breast reduction), tummy tuck surgery and breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty.

The purpose of a drain is to remove blood and lymphatic fluid from the operative site. This will help prevent infection and eliminate dead space created by removal of fat and breast tissue. Removing the accumulated fluids will also promote healing and recovery.

Jackson Pratt is the type of drain used after breast reduction surgery. It has a clear tube that runs from the surgical site to a bulb or reservoir. When the bulb is emptied it is gently squeezed when reattaching to the drain tube causing a low negative pressure suction that helps remove fluids. You will be asked to keep a log to measure output and color of the fluid.

Prior to surgery, Dr. Delgado gives his patients  a detailed instruction booklet with extensive pre and post-operative instructions. In addition, prior to being released from Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center, in Marin County, California, the nurse will review all post op care, including a demonstration of measuring and emptying the bulb to you and your overnight caretaker. The amount of drainage and color of the fluid will determine when the drain can be removed, usually within 3 to 5 days.

If the patient notices: an unusual increase of fluid collection, bright red blood, fever and/or tenderness it must be reported immediately. It is possible for the drain tube to get blocked with a small blood clot. This can be remedied by pinching the tube above the blockage and sliding with a pinching of the thumb and forefinger of the other hand down the tube to the bulb. This will also be demonstrated.

The removal of the drain may cause some discomfort of a burning or stinging nature. Taking pain medication prior to removal is possible as long as the patient has someone to drive her home.

After removal of the drains, the small incision site will close up within 24 to 48 hours. Once they have closed up they are now waterproof and the patient may resume regular showers. However, while the drains are still in place, only sponge baths are allowed, and the incision site must remain dry to avoid infection.

Even with the minor discomfort that the drains may cause, they serve a great purpose in not only reducing the chance of infection, speeding up healing and recovery; they prohibit the buildup of fluids in the surgical site which would be much more painful.

Call today at (415) 898-4161 for a personal consultation with Dr. Delgado for breast reduction surgery.

When Will I See Results of My Breast Reduction Surgery?

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This is a 19-year-old female, 5 feet 2 inches, 130 pounds, she underwent a vertical short scar breast reduction reducing her size from a DDD to a C cup. She is seen approximately six months after surgery with nicely healing scars.

 

 

San Francisco, California-After some cosmetic surgery procedures it is difficult to see the results right away due to swelling and bruising. With breast reduction surgery you will not see what the end result is going to be for several weeks and possibly months, however, removal of excess breast tissue will immediately relieve back and neck pain. Bruising will last 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling can take several weeks to resolve and the breasts need to settle into their new position. To keep swelling in check, it is essential to sleep with the head and back elevated, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for 3 to 4 weeks.

Sensitivity of the breast skin and/or numbness of the nipples is common as the breasts heal. It is not unheard of for these sensations to last for up to a year. Women who have had breast reduction surgery need to be patient to see the final outcome and allow themselves to adjust to their new image.

In my practice,  I have found that women who have had reduction mammoplasty surgery are among the most satisfied patients, as are men that have had gynecomastia surgery, which is male breast reduction.

How to Minimize Breast Reduction Scars

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Many Marin County women are concerned about the scars created by breast reduction surgery. This is probably the most common concern of women who are contemplating a reduction mammoplasty. I don’t think I know of any woman who has regretted having the surgery as the benefits far outweigh any negative aspect.

The good news is that there is scar management available that is recommended to all patients. With time, most incisions heal with the resulting scar nearly invisible; however, this can take up to a year. Patients who actively participate in their scar care seem to have the best results. Each patient is instructed as to the best method for their healing.

In general, I recommend the use of silicone sheeting once the incisions have healed and there isn’t any broken skin or wounds, usually after about 10 days. Silicone sheeting is cut to cover

 

the incision and then taped into place.  The sheeting can be removed before showering, and should be cleaned daily using mild, non-oil based soap such as Ivory or Neutrogena. Each strip may be reused until it shows excessive wear or reduced adhesion. It will probably need to be replaced every 10 to 14 days.  It is recommended that the sheeting be used for 2 to 3 months.

It is very important to avoid sun exposure on the incisions for several months; sun can cause the pigment of the skin to darken and the scar may thicken.

Can Breast Reduction be Done Without Large Scars?

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Before and After Reduction Mammoplasty

 

Numerous San Francisco Bay Area women ask if a /pro_breast_reduction.html”>reduction mammoplasty can be done without large scars. This is probably the main reason that breast reduction surgery for some Marin County women is indefinitely postponed. With any surgery, there will be resulting scars. It is the cosmetic plastic surgeons goal to make all scars as hidden and invisible as possible.

There are different ways to do breast reduction surgery, some with more prominent scars than others. Each patient is individual and at the time of the consultation Dr. Delgado discusses which procedure will work the best to get the best results. He will explain in detail what can be expected, and he will show many before and after pictures.

With traditional breast reduction surgery, the resulting scars are either the “inverted T” or the “anchor”. The incision goes around the areola then vertically to the breast crease and across the breast crease, thus is the shape of an inverted T or an anchor. This procedure is the “gold standard” for breast reduction for women with breasts of significant size. It has been observed that women who have had this procedure are thrilled with their results. Most note that after the incisions have healed that they fade and are barely noticeable.

For the woman that has moderate sized breasts, the short scar breast reduction is a great technique that avoids the incision that goes across the inferior breast crease. It is also known as the “vertical” or the “lollipop” breast reduction.

Lastly, the least invasive of all would be breast reduction by liposuction. Liposuction has only a small incision for the cannula, resulting in a very small scar.  This procedure seems to work the best for younger women with minimal to moderate breast enlargement with normal skin elasticity and minimal sagging.

As one of the leading breast reduction specialists of Northern California, Dr. Delgado is very sensitive to the concerns of women regarding scars. For each patient he minimizes them as much as possible and follows up with scar treatment after surgery consisting of silicone gel sheeting.

Which ever procedure is done, most women are thrilled with their new breasts and are among the most satisfied plastic surgery patients.

Breast Reduction Surgery at Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center

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Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center

 

Women who have made the decision to proceed with a reduction mammoplasty, also known as breast reduction surgery, have some important decisions to make and at the top of the list is choosing the right surgeon. You want a surgeon that is Board certified in Plastic Surgery and a breast reduction specialist. A close second is the facility where the surgery is to take place. As a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the surgeon is required to operate only in a certified or state licensed ambulatory surgery center or hospital. This is for the safety of the patient.

Ask for a tour of the surgical facility, note if it is organized and clean. See if the attitude of the staff is respectful and professional.

Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center (MCSC) is not only state licensed, but is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (Quad A) which means it meets the highest standards of safety. The accrediting organization verifies that national standards are met and maintained such as; reviewing policies and procedures, safety, equipment, etc. They also verify that the surgeon has hospital privileges should an emergency arise. Credentials of all staff members are verified.

Dr. Randy Gaynor
Board Certified Anesthesiologist

Complimenting Dr. Delgado’s highly trained staff is Dr. Randy Gaynor. Dr. Gaynor is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist who has been with MCSC since its inception in 2001. Dr. Gaynor’s popularity with the patients is well documented with reports of his kind and caring manner. It has been noted that he spends a great deal of time with each patient explaining what they can expect in surgery and answer any questions they may have. He is also available to patients by phone or in person prior to surgery to address any concerns.

MCSC offers the patient privacy with a separate entrance directly into the surgery center avoiding the waiting room of the main office. Should a patient require an overnight stay, no less than two caregivers will be provided with one being a Registered Nurse with post operative training including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification. With only one operating room with the highest of standards, the incidence of infection is very low to almost non-existent; infection and complications caused by infection are some of the greatest risks in surgery. Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center offers the ultimate in concierge medical care, serving the San Francisco Bay Area including; Marin County, Sonoma, and Napa since 2001.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery Painful?

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Many San Francisco Bay Area women with large breasts have back, neck and shoulder pain. Large breasts can increase stress on the spine. The force of gravity causes the front of the body to pull forward which causes the normal curve of the spine to straighten out causing widespread muscular pain.

Women looking to eliminate back pain want to know how painful a breast reduction mammoplasty might be. The surgery itself is done under general anesthesia; the patient is asleep and feels no pain during surgery. There is not any dissection of chest muscle (as there is for a breast augmentation) and so is generally much less painful. Since pain thresholds are different for everyone, the patient is given prescription pain medication to keep her comfortable. Most women only need the stronger pain medication for a day or two after surgery and then switch to “over the counter” analgesics such as Tylenol. Of course, any side effects or severe prolonged pain needs to be reported immediately.

Women with large pendulous breasts notice the immediate relief after surgery from back, neck and shoulder pain, and many say it is easier to breathe with the weight reduced off their chest. After expected general soreness for a few days, the biggest complaint I’ve gotten is that the patient wishes she had the surgery sooner.

Faster Healing With VitaMedica Vitamins

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San Francisco breast reduction patients ask Dr. Delgado what they can do to promote faster healing after their reduction mammoplasty surgery. Dr. Delgado tells his patients that from years of observation he has discovered that the patients that take high quality vitamins heal faster and with fewer complications.

On a mission to find the best product for his patients, Dr. Delgado found that VitaMedica has a Surgery Program that meets his demands. Previously, patients have found it difficult to find a multi-vitamin that does not contain vitamin E, vitamin E needs to be avoided due to the fact it is a blood thinner, which can be dangerous during surgery. VitaMedica does not only omit vitamin E, it has additional vitamin C which aids in healing.

In addition to having superior vitamins, VitaMedica Surgery Program has Arnica Montana and Bromelain with Quercetin, that reduces inflammation and bruising.

Dr. Delgado is so convinced that the VitaMedica Surgery Program accelerates the healing process that he now includes the Program for all of his breast reduction surgery patients.