Breast Reduction in Austin, TX

Austin, TX board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Ned Snyder IV has consulted with many women about cosmetic surgery to reduce their large breasts with a breast reduction. At Snyder Plastic Surgery at The Breast and Body Center, reshaping the breast into a smaller size can help women with uncomfortably large breasts alleviate pain in the back and shoulders from the weight, irritated skin, and limited physical movement. This surgery is not just about aesthetics, and women requesting a breast reduction usually want to have lighter, firmer, more proportionate breasts.

Some women struggle for many years (even from puberty) with this weight on their chest, and have tried to lose weight to decrease the size of their breast. However, sometimes even diet and exercise fail to produce results. Dr. Snyder is a very experienced surgeon who can remove the excess tissue and artistically reshape the breasts to be symmetrical and in proportion with the rest of the body. During a private consultation at Snyder Plastic Surgery at The Breast and Body Center, all the details of the surgery will be explained in full detail after a physical examination and medical history is discussed. Call our office in Austin, or Round Rock for a consultation.

A breast reduction will take place as an outpatient procedure in a local hospital or accredited surgical center under a general anesthetic. Dr. Snyder can perform this surgery in 1.5 – 3 hours. It is important to maintain a good blood supply to the nipple/areola complex as there are risks of discoloration and loss of sensation when blood flow is restricted. Liposuction is implemented to remove the excess fat while the loose skin will be excised and tightened to form the newly shaped breasts. This procedure can also correct breast asymmetry.

There is typically a circular incision around the areola, along with a vertical incision that goes from the bottom of the areola to the fold underneath the breast. The vertical incision and surrounding skin located underneath the breast will appear "bunched" right after surgery, but it will smooth out over time. The incisions will be covered with surgical glue. This glue stays on the incisions for 1 – 3 weeks, and eventually comes off on its own. There may be small pieces of gauze and tape over the incisions as well, which may be removed 1 – 2 days after surgery. The incision sites should remain covered if they continue to drain fluid. The patient will be placed in a surgical bra or ace wrap before discharge.

For the first several weeks, we recommend the use of a compression bra to protect the breasts. Patients may go back to work within 7 – 10 days and may resume physical activities (such as exercise) between 3 – 4 weeks post-operative. Results following a breast reduction are usually visible immediately after the surgery. There are typically no incision sutures that need to be removed. All sutures used are dissolvable or underneath the skin. Nipple sensitivity will gradually return within the first year. 

Breast reduction is a long-term solution for patients who are affected with excessively large breasts. In cases where there is significant weight gain, the results may be compromised just like any cosmetic procedure that modifies body shape. Natural aging and gravity will take their toll over time and will still affect the breasts with or without the reduction. It is important to maintain a good health routine so that the enhancement lasts for a long time.

For women with larger breasts, the areola is also excessively large. In a breast reduction surgery, an areola reduction is also considered. As an incision is made surrounding the areola, the excess skin will also be trimmed so that it is proportional to the new breast shape.

How much breast tissue taken will depend on Dr. Snyder's initial evaluation and the patient’s preference. Often, the reduction results in a cup or two smaller from the original breast size. 

Surgery times vary for each patient, though typically this procedure lasts 2-3 hours.  It is usually done as an outpatient procedure and patients are able to go home on the same day.

There is typically a circular incision around the areola, along with a vertical incision that goes from the bottom of the areola to the fold underneath the breast.  The vertical incision and surrounding skin located underneath the breast will appear “bunched” right after surgery but will smooth out over time.