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Breast Reduction

If you have breasts that look or feel too large for your frame, you've probably experienced some of the unpleasant emotional and physical effects. Difficulty with exercise or other physical activities, unwanted attention, and frustration while shopping for clothes have likely motivated you to look into breast reduction. In Nashville, TN, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian P. Tierney helps women to have smaller, lighter, more proportionate breasts with this rewarding surgery.

If you live in or around Nashville and breast reduction is something you're considering, request a consultation online, or call our office at (615) 320-8585.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Before

After

These before-and-after photos show one of Dr. Tierney's actual breast reduction patients. For additional breast reduction patient photos, visit his photo gallery.

Dr. Tierney helps women to have smaller, lighter, more proportionate breasts with this rewarding surgery.

What Is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and breast tissue to make the breasts smaller and better proportioned. The surgery can improve your physical appearance and comfort, as well as your emotional well-being. Each woman has her own reasons for undergoing surgical breast reduction. You may be a candidate for the procedure if you've experienced any of the following symptoms:

• Chronic or recurring neck, back, or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• Extreme breast asymmetry
• Stretched breast skin or large areolas
• Chronic or recurring skin irritation beneath the breasts

If you are satisfied with the size of your breasts but bothered by sagging, a breast lift may be more appropriate. During your consultation, Dr. Tierney helps you decide which choice is best for you.

Your Breast Reduction

Your breast reduction is a very personal procedure that Dr. Tierney tailors to your needs. Although the surgery is an outpatient procedure, it's performed while you're under general anesthesia. Once you are fully anesthetized, Dr. Tierney makes the incision. The most common incision option for breast reduction is called an anchor incision, named because of its shape (see illustration). The anchor incision goes around the areola (the darker skin around the nipple), vertically down the underside of the breast, and horizontally along the breast crease. This allows for optimal reduction and lift and contributes to longer-lasting results.

Anchor Incision for Breast Reduction

BeforeAfter

Once he has made the incision, he removes excess breast and fatty tissue. He may also reduce the size of the areolas and reposition the nipple and areola to sit higher on the breast. Dr. Tierney may remove more tissue from one breast than the other to alleviate asymmetry. Finally, he removes excess skin for a smooth, taut contour, and closes the incisions with absorbable sutures.

Breast Reduction Recovery & Results

For the first 24 hours or so following your surgery, you'll likely feel groggy as anesthesia wears off and prescription pain medications begin to take effect. Many patients spend this time relaxing in bed or in a favorite recliner. Although it's important to move around a few times a day, Dr. Tierney emphasizes the importance of giving your body the rest it needs as it heals. Redness, swelling, and some pain are normal, but you should alert Dr. Tierney if any of these symptoms become severe or unmanageable.

Breast reduction patients typically have surgical drains in place to minimize the accumulation of fluid as the breasts heal. Dr. Tierney will instruct you on how to care for the drains. He will likely remove them after about a week. He also instructs patients to sleep on their backs with plenty of support to minimize swelling and promote healthy, comfortable healing.

Many breast reduction patients return to work after about 2 weeks, although you'll need more time off if your job is especially physical. You may return to most of your routine activities within about 6 weeks. By maintaining a steady weight, you can enjoy the results of your breast reduction for many years.