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Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction

Alamo Plastic Surgery San Antonio TX | Breast Reduction

When your breasts are causing problems such as neck/shoulder/back pain, painful/unsightly grooves in your shoulders, recurrent rashes, or limiting your mobility and activities with exercise, it may be time to consider a breast reduction. By reducing the weight of the breasts, many of these symptoms will improve and possibly resolve completely.  Incidentally, Dr. Albright will also be able to create a perkier and more youthful appearing breast by lifting the remaining breast tissue and nipple back up where they belong.  Most women undergoing breast reduction surgery are thrilled with their improvement in function and appearance.  The most common response Dr. Albright gets from his reduction patients is “I should have done this YEARS ago!”  It can change your life!  Less well known breast reduction benefits particularly for women with very dense breast tissue is the possibility of detecting an early breast cancer or precancerous lesion, as well as a slight reduction in risk of breast cancer. Get contact with Alamo Plastic Surgery is one of the best plastic surgery clinics for Breast Reduction in San Antonio TX.

Dr. Albright is an expert in multiple breast reduction surgery techniques.  These techniques differ in how the extra skin is removed which determines the scar pattern, as well as how the breast tissue itself is adjusted which affects breast shape.  After discussing your goals, Dr. Albright will examine your breasts to identify the best reduction technique for you with particular emphasis on achieving a long-lasting more youthful breast shape.

Alamo Plastic Surgery is an award-winning plastic surgery in San Antonio, TX. Schedule an appointment at (210)-670-5302.

Breast reduction FAQ’s

When is too young, too young for a breast reduction?

For adolescent women, there are those who are “early bloomers” and develop very large and heavy breasts before their peers. Many of these young women become self-conscious in common social situations like sports or swimming, and may even withdraw from their friends and families. Often, they find it difficult to discuss these issues with their families, as they may feel too “embarrassed”.  They may have unrealistic fears about the risks of breast reduction surgery, specifically scarring, recovery, future breast feeding potential, or getting “botched”. It does not have to be this way!  Some of Dr. Albright’s happiest patients are young women with “juvenile breast hypertrophy” or “gigantomastia” who have decided to improve their lives with breast reduction surgery. He is one of the best surgeons for breast reduction surgery. Come learn more today.

Will insurance cover my breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery may or may not be covered by your insurance plan. Insurance plans differ in the inclusion and exclusion criteria for who may qualify for a breast reduction. More confusingly, the coverage criteria can change over time, even within the same carrier. It is important to remember that insurance plans only cover for a WEIGHT of tissue to be removed, not a specific VOLUME.  Some women have large droopy breasts that are not very dense or heavy. Alternatively there are those women who have breasts with less droopiness and volume, but their breast tissue is very dense and heavy. Dr. William Albright, one of the best surgeons for breast reduction surgery, will assess these risks and will be happy to give you his honest opinion. 

Dr. Albright recommends you contact your insurance provider to see what criteria must be met for coverage and who is an in-network or out-of-network provider, as your direct costs may vary significantly. Currently Dr. Albright does not accept any insurance and is everything is considered cosmetic. As deductibles continue to rise, the possibility of performing your breast reduction as a cosmetic procedure (pay everything out-of-pocket) may be more affordable than many suspect. Contact our office to find out more.

Will a breast reduction give me better upper pole fullness like a breast implant?

Unfortunately, there is no published technique that will reliably maintain a rounded and full superior pole of the breast. Techniques can occasionally create this look in the short-term, but rarely is it maintained long-term.  The only way to reliably obtain and maintain superior pole fullness is a breast implant.

What scars will I have after breast reduction and what do they look like?

The most frequently used scar pattern by Dr. Albright is a Wise pattern or ‘Inverted T’ scar.  This places a scar around the areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) often helping to reduce the size of the areola to a more youthful size.  There is another vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast (the breast fold) where the breast meets the chest wall.  Finally there is a side-to-side scar along this lower breast fold, that is variable in length depending on how much skin has to be removed.  The Wise pattern reduction has been shown to create a more cone-shaped breast with better projection from the body, when compared with other types of skin patterns.  Dr. Albright will describe the procedure for you to better understand why one procedure may be better than another.  

The scars tend to widen slightly as they mature, particularly along the breast fold incision and T-point.  Occasionally patients may develop hypertrophic scars or even keloid scars.  Both are raised scars.  However, hypertrophic scars are more easily treated, typically with steroid injections.  Keloid scars are much more difficult to treat, and this is why Dr. Albright will generally discourage breast reduction surgery in patients with a family history of keloids.

Most patients have excess skin and subcutaneous fat that continues from the side of the breast around to the bra along the path of a bra strap.  This tissue is not breast tissue and therefore is not removed with a breast reduction.  However it can be removed with an additional cosmetic procedure such as liposuction with or without an upper back lift.  This means that occasionally patients may have some redundant excess skin and fat located under the arm along the path of a bra strap, and this is called a ‘dogear’ or a standing-cone deformity.

Will I lose my nipple / sensation / ability to breastfeed with breast reduction?

For the vast majority of patients, Dr. Albright is able to leave the nipple attached and NOT have to perform a free nipple graft. A free nipple graft is when the nipple and areola are cut-off from the body as a unit and then reattached to another location on the breast like a skin graft. The consequences of such a procedure are loss of erogenous sensation, ability to breast-feed, erectile function of the nipple and some pigment loss of the areola. There is also a very small chance of complete loss of the grafted nipple and resulting scarring.  

Fortunately, if it was not planned before surgery, it is very rare to need a free nipple graft during surgery. Dr. Albright will discuss the likelihood of this with you at your appointment.  If the nipple is left intact at the time of surgery, approximately one-third of patients will develop permanently decreased sensation of one nipple, and not both. Additionally, although Dr. Albright can not guarantee one’s ability to breast-feed after breast reduction surgery, most of his patients are able to breast-feed after breast reduction surgery if they desire.

Exceptional. Compassionate. Trusted.

Breast Reduction / Tummy Tuck
“ Dr. Albright first did a breast reduction for me. I was a 32DDD, more then anything I felt uncomfortable in my “skin”. From the first visit he made me feel very comfortable and confident in his ability. After looking at his past patients before and after I knew he would be the best dr for me. I am SO happy with the results. They are back in place (perky)and exactly the size that best fit my body 32c. Months later he did my tummy tuck. Again I am SO happy w my results. He is a perfectionist! ”
Breast Reduction
“ I was thrilled to find Dr. Albright and his team for this procedure. Having always been self-conscious, I was a bit intimidated to bare myself in front of a man other than my husband. Dr. Albright was a true professional. He never made me feel uncomfortable. He was very “business” like in his job – but did not lack the human compassion that is needed to make a person feel at ease. The staff did a great job working with my insurance company to get the proper approval very timely. And they were also super friendly and easy to work with. My husband first met Dr. Albright at the hospital where he was equally impressed in the way that Dr. Albright handled everything. He is meticulous in his surgery, and everyone who we encountered on the hospital staff said that he was the best! My surgery went very well, and I felt that the follow up appointments came at the exact times that I needed them. I got great instructions on how to care for myself to get the optimum results. am beyond pleased and excited for the way things turned out. My back and neck feel tremendously better …and I am finally comfortable with the way I look and feel. Thank you Dr. Albright, Mallory, and Nicole for all that you do! ”
Breast Reduction
“ I had thought about a breast reduction since my 20's. Being 40, I was ready. November 2016 I had my surgery with Dr Albright. Being nervous and self conscious, everyone made me feel comfortable. All the staff and follow up appointments were wonderful and easy. I can't begin to describe how much better I feel. Thank you to all the staff at the office, Mercy, and especially Dr Albright for making this procedure easier than what I had imagined it to be! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, THANK YOU!! ”
Ann
Breast Reduction
“ For many years I have struggled with the size of my chest. It was originally related to my self-image, but as I aged, it also became a health issue. I was large since I was in 7th grade, and was always very unhappy with my appearance. It was also very difficult to play sports – which was one of my passions. However, I was always a firm believer that you deal with what was handed to you in life – so I dealt with it. As I got older and had children – my body broke down with the weight that I was supporting and I started having many issues with my back, my neck, shoulder pitting, rashes under my breast, etc.  For many years I have struggled with the size of my chest. It was originally related to my self-image, but as I aged, it also became a health issue. I was large since I was in 7th grade, and was always very unhappy with my appearance. It was also very difficult to play sports – which was one of my passions. However, I was always a firm believer that you deal with what was handed to you in life – so I dealt with it. As I got older and had children – my body broke down with the weight that I was supporting and I started having many issues with my back, my neck, shoulder pitting, rashes under my breast, etc. ”
Breast Reduction
“ I am so pleased with my results after having a breast reduction. I have suffered with back, neck and shoulder pain for years prior to surgery as I have always had larger breasts even with a skinnier body. I now feel like I have more confidence in myself, I can work out at the gym without my breasts in the way, I can wear cute bras now! So pleased and happy with my experience. This office staff is very helpful and Dr. Albright is very knowledgeable! ”
Breast Reduction
“ I am a 25 year old female. I had 36 DDD/E cups which were way to big for my size and body type. I have had large breasts since I was 12 years old as they came pretty quick. I have scoliosis from them with huge grooves/indents in my shoulders from my bras. They felt super heavy then the average breast. Back pain, neck and shoulder you name it, it hurt. As soon as I heard about breast reduction being a thing I was on top of getting it. I was highly recommended from my PCP to go through Dr Albright. From my first appointment with him to even now, he and his staff have been amazing and super considerate as well as friendly. At 25 years old I am not super familiar with insurance paperwork and so on and they helped me every step of the way. I was concerned for myself that I saw more older women getting reductions than younger but I have never been more happy and impressed with the work that was done. Still to this day I look down and occasionally cry with how they turned out. I feel no pain anymore and I can look like a proportionate woman. No more top heavy, no more to small or too big of clothes. No more hit and miss with finding bras that fit. The healing process went great and I am down to a B/C cup which is exactly what I wanted. Thank you so much Dr. Albright and your amazing staff for taking care of me and helping me become more comfortable with my body and feeling how I always should have from the beginning. I have never been so happy with my body until I met you all. I cannot thank you enough.”
Breast Reduction
“ Dr. Albright did a great job on my surgery. He was very knowledgeable and I would definitely recommend him to other people looking to get a breast reduction! ”
Breast Reduction
“ Dr. Albright performed a breast reduction and lift for me in June 2018. To say I am happy with the results will be an understatement. Dr. Albright and his staff answered all my questions even the ones I thought were silly. Never felt like I was being rushed out the office. Thank you Dr. Albright ”
Breast Reduction
“ Dr. Albright did a great job on my surgery. He was very knowledgeable and I would definitely recommend him to other people looking to get a breast reduction! ”
Breast Reduction
“ I have struggled with back, neck and shoulder pain for years. I was wearing a 40H prior to surgery for almost 5 years. I have always had a larger chest even when I was fresh out of high school. I am beyond happy with my results and how I feel now. Much more confidence, a lot less back pain and I can actually wear cute less expensive bras now!! ”
Alamo Plastic Surgery San Antonio TX | Team - Dr. Albright, Franchesca Espinosa, Juli Albright
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