Is Breast Reduction Painful?

It is normal to experience discomfort and soreness after Breast Reduction surgery. However, the level of pain can vary from person to person. Dr. Papanicolaou will provide you with appropriate pain medications to help manage any discomfort during your recovery period. It is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by our team to minimize pain and promote a smooth healing process.

How many appointments will I need?

The number of appointments you will need for your Breast Reduction surgery may vary depending on various factors, including your individual needs and the recommendations of Dr. Papanicolaou. Typically, the process involves multiple appointments to ensure a comprehensive evaluation, planning, and post-surgery checkups.

How long until I see results?

It takes time to see the full development of your Breast Reduction. Generally, you will notice some immediate changes in the size and shape of your breasts right after the surgery. However, it is important to remember that initial post-operative swelling and bruising may temporarily affect the appearance of your breasts. Over the following weeks and months as your swelling subsides and your body heals, you will begin to see the full effects of your Breast Reduction.

Can I combine a Breast Reduction with other procedures?

Of course! Most of our Lake Mary and Orlando patients will combine their full treatment plan with other body contouring procedures, such as a Tummy Tuck , Breast Lift , Breast Augmentation , or even a Brazilian Butt Lift . If you would like to have any additional areas of your body worked on, please discuss this with Dr. Papanicolaou and he will be able to give you his expert suggestions.

What are the risks associated with Breast Reduction?

At Soma Plastic Surgery in Lake Mary, Dr. Papanicolaou and his team work to avoid any chances of risk. However, there are certain risks for Breast Reduction Surgery including: Anesthesia risks Bleeding (hematoma) Blood clots Breast asymmetry Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent Fat necrosis (fatty tissue deep in the skin could die) Fluid accumulation Infection Poor wound healing Potential inability to breastfeed Potential, partial, or total loss of nipple and areolaUnfavorable scarring If you begin to notice any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately so that we can help you.

Breast Reduction Orlando & Lake Mary, FL

Woman in a tan top leaning on the edge of her bed | Breast Reduction in Orlando

Introduction

Introduction to Breast Reduction

Women with large breasts often experience chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain and other physical discomforts due to the weight of their breasts. In addition to physical difficulties, many of these women also endure emotional distress, challenges in exercising comfortably, and problems finding clothes that fit well. Luckily, Dr. Papanicolaou offers his Orlando patients an effective solution to these issues with Breast Reduction surgery.

Before & after photo gallery

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What is Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast Reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that permanently relieves physical and emotional discomfort associated with large breasts. By removing excess skin and breast tissue, Dr. Papanicolaou can artfully reshape the breasts to be smaller, lighter, and more proportionate to the patient’s frame.

In addition to physical discomforts such as back and shoulder pain, overly large breasts can cause emotional and psychological distress, such as low self-esteem, weight gain, and self-consciousness due to undesired body proportions. Breast reduction surgery involves removing excess breast tissue, excess fat, and skin and reshaping the remaining tissue to create a smaller and more proportional breast size.

Women choose to undergo the plastic surgery procedure for a variety of reasons, including:

Physical discomfort, such as neck pain
Shoulder grooves from bra straps
Difficulty with physical activities
Self-esteem issues
Difficulty finding clothing that fits
Breast asymmetry
Medical conditions

While getting breast implants can improve the quality of life for many women with lighter breasts, those with exceptionally large breasts can benefit from the surgery to alleviate some of the aforementioned conditions and concerns. For example, drooping breasts can be caused by excess weight, leading to discomfort and low self-esteem. The procedure can help make heavy breasts perkier and more lightweight.

What are the Benefits of Breast Reduction?

Our Lake Mary and Orlando Breast Reduction patients have seen some serious physical and emotional benefits of breast reduction with the following benefits from their procedure:

Achieve a more attractive breast size and shape
Ease of clothes shopping in standard stores
Exercise in comfort
Physical relief for shoulder, neck, and back pain
Relief of straps digging into shoulders

Who are the Best Candidates for Breast Reduction?

The ideal candidate for the surgery is most women who experience physical and emotional discomfort and limitations due to large breasts, but good breast augmentation candidates are:

Free of cancerous and precancerous breast tissue
In good overall health
Non-smoker
Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Over the age of 18
Realistic about their expectations for the outcome of the procedure

Keep in mind that if you plan to have more children, pregnancy and nursing can “undo” the results of a breast reduction. For that reason, we advise women to wait until they have finished having children before having a breast reduction procedure.

Woman in a white top with long brown hair | Breast Reduction in Orlando

What’s the First Step?

During your breast reduction consultation, Dr. Papanicolaou will examine your medical history and assess your breast size and shape. Dr. Papanicolaou will then discuss your expectations and goals for the procedure and any potential risks and complications.

Dr. Papanicolaou will take measurements of your breasts and evaluate the nipple position, skin elasticity, and breast symmetry. He will also discuss the surgical techniques available, such as the anchor, vertical, donut, or horizontal pattern method, and recommend the best technique and treatment plan for you.

So much depends on the specific procedure being performed. Generally speaking, however, most patients can expect a significant reduction in breast size, improved shape and position, and a more balanced and symmetrical appearance of newly shaped breasts. The recovery times range from about three weeks to about six weeks.

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure typically performed under general anesthesia and involves the following steps:

The surgeon makes a horizontal incision with lines around the areola complex and down to the breast crease.
Excess fat, breast tissue, and skin are removed, and the remaining tissue is reshaped and lifted to create a smaller, more proportional breast size.
The incisions are closed with sutures, and a surgical bra or dressing is applied to support the breasts while the patient heals.

Breast reduction techniques used during surgery may vary depending on the patient’s needs and the surgeon’s preferences. Common techniques used for breast reduction include the anchor, vertical, and horizontal pattern methods. Dr. Papanicolaou will discuss the technique that best suits you during the initial consultation.

After your surgery, you will be fitted with a compression garment that will help prevent excessive swelling.

Breast Reduction Recovery

Following your breast reduction procedure, you will wear an elastic bandage or surgical bra over the gauze dressings. You may have a small tube in each breast to drain blood and fluid for the first day or two. Your breasts will be bruised and uncomfortable for a couple of days, especially if you move around or cough. We will give you pain medications for discomfort. You’ll come back into the office within the first few days for your first postoperative visit at which time you’ll be examined to be sure everything is going as it should. Sutures are removed in one to three weeks. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, your breasts may still ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing anything heavy for three or four weeks. We will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. Most women can return to work (if it’s not too strenuous) and social activities in about two weeks. But you’ll have much less stamina for several weeks and should limit your exercises to stretching, bending, and swimming until your energy level returns.

Cost

How Much

How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost in Orlando?

The cost of Breast Reduction in Orlando can vary on a number of factors. During your consultation, we will help you understand exactly what your costs will look like based on the procedure approach.

Because there is sometimes a medical need for breast reduction (in cases involving chronic back and neck pain), the procedure may be covered by insurance. However, each policy varies. Patients need to get the necessary exams and referrals and discuss their coverage with the insurance company to ensure that they will not need to pay for the procedure entirely out of pocket. Financing is typically available for patients who are not covered.

Soma

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Dr. Papanicolaou?

Dr. George Papanicolaou is known for his positive demeanor and stunning cosmetic surgery results. At Soma Plastic Surgery, we will make every effort will be made to ensure that you are comfortable and that your medical concerns are addressed at every visit leading up to your Breast Reduction Surgery. Dr. Papanicolaou and his team are dedicated to providing our patients with the latest, most up-to-date, and evidence-based information so that together we can determine the best course of treatment for our patients. When you walk through the doors of Soma Plastic Surgery, you will be welcomed by our warm, caring staff that attends to your individual needs. We have seen Breast Reduction Surgery change lives; it’s time to add your story to the ones before and celebrate life with a more youthful, painless, and attractive upper body silhouette.

Photo of Soma Plastic Surgery office building

Schedule Your Consultation

It’s time to say goodbye to the pain and discomfort of having larger breasts. Call Soma Plastic Surgery today and schedule your consultation with Dr. George Papanicolaou. The new you begins with a conversation, and we can’t wait to tell you more about Breast Reduction surgery in Lake Mary and the Orlando area.

Breast Reduction FAQs

It is normal to experience discomfort and soreness after Breast Reduction surgery. However, the level of pain can vary from person to person. Dr. Papanicolaou will provide you with appropriate pain medications to help manage any discomfort during your recovery period. It is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by our team to minimize pain and promote a smooth healing process.
The number of appointments you will need for your Breast Reduction surgery may vary depending on various factors, including your individual needs and the recommendations of Dr. Papanicolaou. Typically, the process involves multiple appointments to ensure a comprehensive evaluation, planning, and post-surgery checkups.
It takes time to see the full development of your Breast Reduction. Generally, you will notice some immediate changes in the size and shape of your breasts right after the surgery. However, it is important to remember that initial post-operative swelling and bruising may temporarily affect the appearance of your breasts.

Over the following weeks and months as your swelling subsides and your body heals, you will begin to see the full effects of your Breast Reduction.
Of course! Most of our Lake Mary and Orlando patients will combine their full treatment plan with other body contouring procedures, such as a Tummy Tuck, Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, or even a Brazilian Butt Lift. If you would like to have any additional areas of your body worked on, please discuss this with Dr. Papanicolaou and he will be able to give you his expert suggestions.
At Soma Plastic Surgery in Lake Mary, Dr. Papanicolaou and his team work to avoid any chances of risk. However, there are certain risks for Breast Reduction Surgery including:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Blood clots
- Breast asymmetry
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Fat necrosis (fatty tissue deep in the skin could die)
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Potential inability to breastfeed
- Potential, partial, or total loss of nipple and areolaUnfavorable scarring
If you begin to notice any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately so that we can help you.

TestimonialsWhat our patients
have to say

Eve F.

Dr Papanicolaou is the best! Very knowledgable and caring! So glad I found him! I definitely recommend putting your trust in him. Awesome office staff. They make you feel like family. Cant say enough good things about the whole staff.

C.V. Fig

Dr. Papanicolaou is the BEST Plastic Surgeon in Central Florida. He is smart, caring and honest.. I have been his patient for over two yrs. His staff is available, responsive and accommodating. They treat you like family. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I found Dr. Papanicolaou. He helped me during a very difficult process.

Yamile K.

Dr. Papanicolaou exceeded my expectations, he is a master at his craft, the entire process was relatively painless, his nurses are amazing, so caring. Also the Florida surgical center was great, they treated me like a princess. Overall I cannot be happier with my experience, I highly recommend Soma Plastic surgery.

Sheila O.

Dr. Papanicalou and staff are exceptional. The process was smooth from beginning to end and I am so pleased with the results. Very natural and as close to perfect as possible. I highly recommend Dr. Papanicalou!

Swandra W.

Dr. P and all of the staff are wonderful. They were amazing to me at the most vulnerable time in my life. I am thankful to have such caring, thoughtful, skilled, knowledgeable and talented human beings to reconstruct the damage that cancer caused. Forever grateful.

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Breast Reduction in Orlando