Breast Reduction Surgery in Houston, TX

Dr. Bachilo will ask you about your symptoms and concerns and ask you about your desired breast size and other expectations from surgery. She will review your medical history and examine your breast to evaluate the size, shape, skin quality and symmetry. If you smoke, you will be strongly advised to stop for one month prior to undergoing an elective procedure. This will minimize your risk of complications and optimize your healing.

Dr. Bachilo will estimate the weight of breast tissue that will be removed and will give you an approximation of your future size. She will also discuss your surgical incisions and the location of your future scars and explain the risks associated with the surgery.

Dr. Bachilo will perform your breast reduction in an outpatient surgical center or the hospital under general anesthesia. Surgery may take around four hours.  There are different surgical techniques to perform breast reduction and Dr. Bachilo will customize your procedure based on your individualized needs.

The most commonly used breast reduction techniques are an anchor pattern breast reduction and a vertical breast reduction. When a larger reduction is needed and more skin needs to be removed, the incision is an “anchor-shaped” and is around the nipple-areola, up and down on the breast from the areola to the fold and horizontally across the breast folds. Sometimes only a vertical and the nipple and areola incision is needed and thus there are slightly fewer scars.

Excess breast tissue is removed, the breast is reshaped and the nipple and areola are repositioned higher in proportion to the new breast. The tissue removed from each breast is weighed separately to confirm symmetric volume reduction. All breast incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. Your breasts will be wrapped in a supportive wrap or you may be placed into a surgical bra after the operation. You will be allowed to go home the same day.

Pain after breast reduction is mild to moderate and is managed with oral pain medications prescribed by Dr. Bachilo. You will be scheduled for a post-op visit the next day after your surgery, or Monday if your procedure is on Friday. You may take a shower 48 hours after surgery and continue to wear a supportive surgical bra for several weeks after surgery. Most patients can return to work within one week. Refrain from any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks. Six weeks after the procedure you will be released to resume all of your regular activities including exercise.

Few weeks after surgery your breasts remain swollen and bruised and therefore will be larger than your final result. We advise that you do not go shopping for new bras in the early post-operative period. As your breasts continue to change, your final breast size will become apparent at about 3 months. With the reduction in weight of your breasts, you will feel an immediate improvement in the pain and tension in our neck and upper back. You will be able to enjoy activities such as swimming and running and experience new freedom without the nagging discomfort in your shoulders, neck, and back. With your new smaller and firmer breasts, you will also be able to enjoy new clothing options.