Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty) in Durango & Pagosa Springs, CO

Patients who undergo Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) are typically some of the most satisfied patients in Plastic Surgery. Enlarged breasts (breast hypertrophy or macromastia) can often cause significant functional concerns for the patient and lessen the overall quality of life for a woman. Breast reduction often results in a reduced overall size and functional concerns such as poor posture, neck pain, back pain and rashes. In addition, the surgery helps to restore a higher and more youthful appearance to the breasts. Depending on the size of reduction, your desired goals, your insurance requirements, and the functional concerns, the surgery may be covered by insurance.

Types of Breast Reduction

There are many different variations of breast reductions, and, in general, the type of lift utilized depends on factors such as the degree of ptosis, the amount of tissue to be removed, and the desired goals of the patient. The types of reduction include, but are not limited to, wise pattern breast reduction, anchor shaped incision, donut lift, liposuction, and lollipop shaped incisions. As you may note, similar incisions are used in the Breast Lift procedure.

Breast Reduction Procedures

• Wise pattern breast reduction: This type of reduction is chosen for women who have a lot of excess skin and fat which needs to be removed and reshaped. The surgeon makes an anchor-shaped incision around the areola and then is carried down to the natural contour of the breast. These scars typically heal very well and many patients report that the incisions heal very well with little visible scarring.
• Lollipop breast reduction: When the degree of skin removal and reshaping is moderate, a lesser procedure may be performed which leaves the patient with a lollipop incision which is around the areola and downward. The incision may also be extended to form a J shaped incision. As a result of less skin removal, a small amount of gathering in the re-approximated skin may result on the lower pole of the breast near the breast fold; this gathering, if it occurs, generally subsides over 6-12 months. Patients who choose this type of incision are willing to tolerate this excess skin for this time period in exchange for a smaller scar.
• Donut or crescent mastopexy: This type of lift is performed when only a small correction needs to be made. Unlike the other two types of reduction, this type of lift does not generally facilitate the removal of enough breast tissue to qualify for insurance requirements. During this surgery, the surgeon makes an incision around part or the entire circumference of the areola. The re-approximated skin may appear slightly scrunched for 6 to 9 months, but this is generally well tolerated.

All surgical procedures come with inherent risks. Risks such as, but not limited to, scar widening, drooping, and wound healing can occur. People that use nicotine in any form will need to quit 4 weeks before surgery and abstain for 4 weeks after surgery to minimize the chance of complications. Your surgeon may consider a urine test to check adherence to nicotine abstinence.

For more information on Breast Reduction, or to schedule a consultation, call Peak Rejuvenation at (970) 259-5990 or Request a Consultation.