Breast Reduction
Conveniently located to serve St. Louis
Overly large and aging breasts can be a physical and emotional burden, often best relieved with a breast reduction in St. Louis. In addition to being difficult to support and cover, large breasts can be a source of embarrassment, chronic pain, deformities in the back and shoulder, and posture problems.
St. Louis patients who feel dissatisfied or self-conscious about the large or excessive size of their breasts can visit Dr. Paul Rottler or Dr. Angela Hulsey to achieve beautiful breasts via breast reduction.
What Is a Breast Reduction Used For?
A reduction mammoplasty, or breast reduction, can be used to eliminate excess mammary tissue and fat from your breasts, giving your chest a more attractive and youthful shape. With a simple surgery, breasts that sag and stretch due to weight loss, aging, or pregnancy can return to the lifted and round appearance of your youth.
Is This Procedure Right for Me?
When it comes to body contouring and breast reduction, invasive plastic surgery is not the solution for everyone. Before scheduling your consultation, evaluate whether this surgery is suitable for your body.
Most patients who are considering this procedure are at or close to their ideal weight, have back, neck, and/or breast pain, or have recently lost an extreme amount of weight. Anyone who fulfills the following characteristics can safely consider this procedure as a solution to their overly large breasts:
- A history of backaches, neck aches, and poor posture as a result of supporting big breasts.
- Difficulty finding clothes that cover, support, and flatter your curves.
- Lack of self-confidence due to breasts that draw unwanted attention.
- No active diseases or pre-existing conditions that could complicate the surgery or recovery.
- Enlarged areolas due to stretched skin.
- The cessation of natural breast development.
- Mental and emotional stability to recover from surgery.
- Zero intention to breastfeed in the near future.
Patients may need to abstain from breast reduction surgery if they are experiencing one or more of the following:
- Currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed in the future.
- Unrealistic or unhealthy expectations.
- Undiagnosed lumps or masses.
- Severe obesity.
- A family history of clotting, heart, or circulatory disorders.
- Diabetes.
Your Breast Reduction Consultation
Sitting down with a licensed plastic surgeon to discuss your treatment possibilities is the first step to achieving a more confident and attractive you! As your surgeons, Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey will offer support and information at each stage of your journey.
When you initially consult our plastic surgeons, be prepared to discuss your:
- Desired outcomes
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Results of any previous mammograms and biopsies
Before surgery, our surgeons will evaluate your general health and take exact measurements of your breasts’ size, shape, and skin quality. Photographs of your breasts may also be taken at different stages of your post-op recovery as documentation for your medical records.
Surgery Overview
A breast reduction procedure typically takes 3-5 hours and is performed right next door at the Seven Oaks Surgery Center, LLC. Patients receive general anesthesia by board-certified anesthesiologists so they can safely sleep through the entire operation.
At its core, breast reduction is the removal of fat and glandular tissue, the repositioning of the areola and nipples, and the tightening of skin around the chest to produce smaller, more proportional breasts.
The procedure is usually performed through three thin incisions: a circular incision made around the areola, a second that runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease of the breast, and a third that horizontally follows the breast’s natural curve. These incisions will give your plastic surgeon ample access to your breast tissue and allow him or her to reduce, adjust, and reposition your fat and skin. For smaller breast reductions in certain candidates, surgeons may use liposuction alone to complete the procedure.
Areolas that have been stretched by pendulous breasts are then reshaped and repositioned higher. To maintain sensation in the nipples, your plastic surgeon will leave the underlying tissue untouched while adjusting your areolas. This method is designed to preserve the patient’s ability to breastfeed, though the results vary from subject to subject.
The final step in a reduction mammaplasty is closing the incisions with deep sutures that shape and support your new, smaller breasts. Internally, dissolvable sutures are used to close the skin and promote faster healing.
What Should I Expect After Surgery?
When the surgery is finished, the external incisions will be covered in gauze, and the breasts cushioned in a bra. Patients might experience bruising and swelling as the incisions heal.
Stitches are generally removed in stages approximately one week after surgery. Patients can expect their stitches to be completely removed by the third week. A lack of sensation in the areola and nipple regions is a temporary side effect of this procedure, and it may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a full year for complete sensation to return. Your new breasts will also need time to settle into a more natural shape and color. The pink scar tissue around the surgical incisions should fade with time.
In the days following the procedure, patients will gradually be able to move more comfortably for longer stretches of time. While Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey encourage patients to get out of bed for short periods shortly after surgery, they should not attempt any lifting, bending, or exercising for several weeks.
Depending on their professions, many patients can return to work after only two or three weeks. While it is normal to experience mild discomfort, strive to be gentle with your new breasts for six weeks and avoid sexual activity for one month after surgery.
Every patient’s healing is different. Your plastic surgeon, Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey, will formulate a recovery plan that fits your needs.
The Results
After your reduction surgery, your breasts will appear smaller and perkier. Without the weight of pendulous breasts burdening your neck, shoulders, and back, you will be free to partake in a range of activities with new confidence. In addition, you also will no longer have to hide your figure underneath unflattering clothing. While it takes time to adjust to a new body image, most patients are satisfied with the freedom and look of their chest.
Assuming you do not lose or gain a significant amount of weight, your bust should remain at a fairly constant size for years to come. Aging and gravity eventually alter the youthful contour of every woman’s breasts, and patients dissatisfied with their shape can schedule a breast lift or additional surgery.
Remember, your relationships with Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey do not conclude on the operating table. They will maintain a relationship with you throughout your follow-up care to monitor the long-term effects of surgery.
How Much Will It Cost?
The price of your breast reduction with Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey will differ depending on the time the procedure takes and the severity of your symptoms. Our office does not accept any type of insurance for this procedure. However, Dr. Hulsey is currently undergoing the process of obtaining contracts with major insurance companies. We also offer multiple cost financing options for qualifying patients, including CareCredit and Alphaeon®.
FAQs
Why Choose Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey?
Your choice of plastic surgeon will determine both the ease of recovery and the quality of results in your surgery. Dr. Paul Rottler, MD, FACS, and Dr. Angela Hulsey, MD, have the background and credentials any patient can trust. With over 30 years of combined experience in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey have performed many augmentations, reductions, lifts, and other body sculpting procedures throughout their careers.
When you select Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey, you’re choosing expert plastic surgeons who will work tirelessly to give you the body you have always wanted.
Will I Be Able to Breastfeed After A Breast Reduction?
The techniques used during a reduction mammaplasty generally do not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed as long as the nipples and areolas remain attached during surgery. However, this can depend on the patient’s specific anatomy. If you are still planning on breastfeeding in the future, please let Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey know so they can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Can Breast Reduction Surgery Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Patients frequently elect to receive multiple treatments simultaneously so that they only have to undergo one operation and one recovery period. Additionally, this can enable more consistent results and needing to take less time off from work. Women will often combine their breast reduction with a tummy tuck or even a facelift, for example.
How Long Do I Have to Sleep On My Back After Breast Reduction Surgery?
It is usually advised to sleep on your back with your upper body elevated for at least two to four weeks or until otherwise directed by Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey. Please avoid lying on your front or side during this time.
Attain Beauty for Life with a Breast Reduction
If you’re ready to regain confidence and revitalize your body, contact the office of Dr. Paul Rottler and Dr. Angela Hulsey about your potential breast reduction in St. Louis, MO. We’ll be happy to schedule your initial consultation!
