Look and Feel your Best with Breast Reduction in Atlanta
Breast reductions are fantastic procedures for women who have breasts that are out of proportion to the rest of their bodies, and they are some of the happiest patients Dr. Amy Alderman cares for. Women with large breasts often suffer from back and shoulder pain, posture issues, as well as difficulty participating in sports. However, breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty) can make breasts smaller and create a more proportionate figure, while increasing comfort.
For more information about breast reduction surgery in the Buckhead Atlanta area, contact Dr. Alderman today for a consultation!
What Breast Reduction can do for your Health and Happiness
Dr. Alderman’s patients are so happy because of the cosmetic and functional benefits of the surgery: 1.) the breasts are lifted and reshaped, while the nipple is reduced and raised; 2.) patients experience less upper back and neck pain, have fewer rashes under their breasts, and have less shoulder grooving from their bra straps. Dr. Alderman loves seeing the smiles on patients’ faces when they tell her that they can now buy a regular bra off the shelf and not the million-dollar, heavily engineered bra contraption of the past.
Patients in all stages of life come to Dr. Alderman for this procedure. For younger patients, she makes sure their breasts have stopped growing before recommending a reduction. A great transition time to perform the reduction for younger patients is before college or before entering the workforce. Professional women, especially those who work in a male-dominated field, often desire a smaller breast size so that their breasts look in proportion to the rest of their body and do not draw attention – and older women are just over them! They tell Dr. Alderman that they were fun when they were younger, but now they are tired of the discomfort with exercise, tired of not finding normal bras to fit, and tired of looking matronly due to their large breast size. Dr. Alderman has never had a patient regret having breast reduction scars, and the procedure is associated with minimal postoperative pain.
Bottom line, breast reduction patients are always happy, happy, happy!
The Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction can:
- Reshape the breasts so that they are symmetrical, round, and with nipples and areolas in central placement
- Relieve pain caused by the weight of heavy breasts
- Make it possible for you to comfortably participate in physical activities again such as sports or dancing
- Help your clothes fit better
- Improve posture
- Alleviate breathing issues
- Stop chafing and bra strap indentations
- Relieve self-consciousness
Why Should I Choose Dr. Alderman for Breast Reduction?
Dr. Alderman has a special interest in breast surgery and always strives to deliver the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art techniques. She is nationally known for her efforts in breast surgery, is a frequent lecturer at plastic surgery meetings, and well published in this area. Patient safety and optimizing outcomes are her goals. As an added benefit, you will love her bedside manner. She will quickly put you at ease and give you the reassurance that your concerns are valid and successful options are available.
Breast reduction surgery is one particular area where Dr. Alderman worked hard early in her career to learn the most advanced techniques possible. In her training, everyone did breast reductions using a wise or anchor pattern for the skin resection, which involves an incision running along the fold of the breast. Dr. Betsy Hall-Findlay in Canada had developed a technique for breast reductions that involved much less scarring and prettier breast shape. In her first year of practice, Dr. Alderman visited her surgical center to learn her technique, and it was one of the best decisions she’s ever made in her surgical practice.
The shaping of the breast and the minimal scarring (like a lollipop without the scar in the breast fold) makes this technique Dr. Alderman’s preferred option for breast reductions. As she believes you can never stop learning, she revisited Dr. Hall-Findlay’s practice 10 years later so she could further refine the technique. Dr. Alderman never stops learning and never stops trying to do better for her patients.
How does Breast Reduction Impact Breast Cancer Prevention?
Patients that are 40 years of age and older are encouraged to have an up-to-date mammogram.
The breast tissue that is removed at the time of surgery is sent to a pathologist for examination to make sure that there are no abnormal cells. After six months, the patient is cleared to resume normal mammogram screening. Current research suggests that breast reduction surgery does lower a woman’s risk for breast cancer, which makes sense as some of the potentially cancerous breast tissue is removed.
Meet Dr. Alderman
Dr. Amy Alderman is a nationally known, board-certified plastic surgeon located in Buckhead near Atlanta. As a female surgeon and mother of two children, she provides a unique perspective to patient care. Each surgical plan is individually tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyles and is aimed at enhancing her patient’s natural beauty and restoring confidence. She is known for her personal approach to patient care and has unparalleled commitment to patient safety, which can be attributed to years of education, professional experience and involvement in national patient safety initiatives.
Meet Dr. AldermanIs Breast Reduction Surgery Comfortable?
It may seem hard to believe, but breast reductions actually create very little post-operative pain. Although the breasts are a sensitive part of a woman’s body, muscle and bone are not involved with the procedure, which is a factor in patients’ overall comfort. Most patients can return to work within the week, and exercise can be resumed three weeks postoperatively.
What Happens During a Breast Reduction Procedure?
Breast reduction usually requires general anesthesia, and the surgery takes 2-3 hours. Hospitalization is not necessary, however. Incisions are made around the areolas, vertically from the bottom of the areolas to the bottom of the breast, and (rarely) horizontally along the crease under the breast.
Most commonly, Dr. Alderman uses the lollipop incision in order to maximize desired breast shape and minimize scarring. Dr. Alderman removes excess breast tissue, skin, and fat and then reshapes your breasts. They are usually lifted, and the nipple-areolar complex is also moved to a central position. She then sutures and dresses the incisions.
After a period of time in recovery, you can go home the same day. Someone must drive you home, however, as you will feel groggy for a while from the anesthesia.
Breast Reduction Recovery Process
For a few weeks, you will wear a support bra that will aid in the healing process. As long as your work is not strenuous, you should be able to return to your job within 7-10 days, and you can resume exercise and lifting in 3-6 weeks. It is important to refrain from all physical activity for a few days, so it will be helpful if someone can assist you at home.
Your breasts will be smaller right away, but the swelling will take as long as 6 months to resolve fully. You will then be able to see your final results. To support post-operative care and comfort, Dr. Alderman provides advice about bra selection. Underwire bras, for example, are not recommended, as they might hinder the healing process.
Do you suffer from heavy breasts? Call us today to schedule a consultation to find out more about breast reduction in Atlanta, GA with Dr. Alderman.
View Gallery
Be sure to view our Before and After Photo Gallery of Breast Reduction procedures to see real patient results at North Atlanta Plastic Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reduction Surgery
The total cost of a breast reduction varies according to the type of procedure, the surgeon’s level of experience, and where the surgery will occur. It will also include anesthesia fees, tests, prescription medicine, and the number of nights spent at the hospital for recovery. A part of the consultation will involve sitting down with a financial expert who will break down the cost of your procedures and provide an estimate.
At North Atlanta Plastic Surgery (NAPS), we make every effort to provide you with the finest care for your plastic surgery needs. Plastic surgery is considered cosmetic and elective. Most health insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures here at NAPS. Should you choose to file personal reimbursement for your cosmetic procedure on your own, please note that we do not have a billing or coding department. Therefore, we are unable to provide all the documentation required for insurance reimbursement. All Surgery plans include Professional fees, Anesthesia fee and Facility fee. Our software does not allow for additional itemization of breakdown of Professional fees. Since we do not bill insurance or Medicare, we are unable to provide documentation for Facility and Anesthesia by the unit.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks of complications. However, breast reduction surgery is considered very safe, especially in the hands of a licensed and experienced plastic surgeon.
The most common risks following a breast reduction include infection, loss of nipple sensation, and scarring. By following all post-operative care instructions provided by Dr. Alderman, you can greatly reduce these risks and achieve a successful and easy recovery.
Breasts undergo significant changes in size and shape during and after pregnancy and nursing, which could affect the results of your breast reduction. For that reason, it is generally recommended that patients wait until they’ve finished growing their family before undergoing a breast reduction to avoid needing a secondary surgery to correct changes in shape and size after childbirth.
If you are experiencing excessive sagging of the breast skin, you may consider a breast lift. If you feel your breasts are not proportionate with the rest of your figure, then it’s a breast reduction you’re looking for. You can also get a combination of these two procedures if you need both a reduction and a lift.
Dr. Alderman will assess your concerns during your consultation and determine the best procedure to meet your specific needs.
Dr. Alderman’s National Efforts on this Topic:
Chairperson for Aesthetica, a national cosmetic surgery meeting sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgery
Surgical Editor, Cochrane Breast Cancer Group
American Society of Plastic Surgery Breast Subcommittee
American Society of Plastic Surgery Patient Safety Committee
American Society of Plastic Surgery & Plastic Surgery Education Foundation Breast Surgery Task Force
Vice Chairperson, ASPS Education Aesthetic Council
Managing the Unfavorable Scar: When to Perform Surgical Revision. Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium: Successful Management Strategies. Washington, DC, July 2012.
VTE Prevention in Cosmetic Surgery. Georgia Society of Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, Aug 2013, Brasstown Resort, GA.
Patient Safety: Prevention of VTE in Cosmetic Surgery. QMP Aesthetic Surgery Symposium, Nov 2013, Chicago, IL
DVT Prophylaxis in the Breast Patient. ASPS Management of Complications in Plastic Surgery Symposium. March 28-29, 2014,Chicago, IL
Aesthetic Breast Surgery: Preoperative Analysis and Markings: How I Do It. ASPS Dueling Perspectives in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium, Washington, DC, June 20-22, 2014.
Reduction Mammaplasty: Reduction Mammaplasty with Short Scars. ASPS Dueling Perspectives in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium, Washington, DC, June 20-22, 2014.
Alderman, A. Preoperative Evaluation for Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons, Callaway Gardens, GA, Aug 2, 2014.
Alderman, A. Breast Reconstruction in Patients Who Receive Post-mastectomy Radiation Therapy. Breast Cancer Symposium, San Fran, CA, Sept 4-6, 2014.
VTE Prophylaxis in Breast Surgery. SESPRS 2015 Atlanta Breast Symposium, Atlanta, GA Jan 23-25, 2015.
Patient Safety and DVT Prophylaxis with Breast Surgery. Aesthetica 2015, Las Vegas April 30-May 2, 2015.
The Complex Scar: New Strategies to Improve Appearance. Aesthetica, June 2016, Washington, DC.
Strategies for setting appropriate NAC position with cosmetic breast surgery. Atlanta Breast Symposium, Jan 2018.
VTE and breast surgery: current recommendations for chemoprophylaxis. Atlanta Breast Symposium, Jan 2018.
Oppenheimer, AJ, Pannucci, CJ, Alderman, AK. Management of axillary dermatolipodystrophy following massive reduction mammoplasty. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 2008, 62:364
Alderman, AK, Kulkarni, A. Discussion: Increasing Age Impairs Outcomes in Breast Reduction Surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2011;128:1188-90
Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC. Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery. In Plastic Surgery 1st Edition
Alderman, AK, Chung, KC. Outcomes for Surgical Guidance in Plastic Surgery: Measuring Outcomes in Aesthetic Surgery. Clinics in of Plastic Surgery, 2013:297-304.
Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC. Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery. In Plastic Surgery 4th Edition
Pannucci, C, Alderman, AK. Venous Thromboembolism and the Aesthetic Surgery Patient. Essentials of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Alderman, AK. Discussion: A Multi-Institutional Perspective of Complication Rates for Elective Non-Reconstructive Breast Surgery: An Analysis of NSQIP Data from 2006 to 2010, Aesthetic Surgery Journal: 33(3): 387-388, 2013.
Giladi, AM, Brown, DL, Alderman, AK. Shared Medical Appointments for Pre-Operative Evaluation of Symptomatic Macromastia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in press 134(6): 1108-1115, December 2014.
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If you’re in the Atlanta area and have any questions about a Breast Reduction or wish to schedule a consultation on a Breast Reduction with Dr. Alderman, please contact our office.
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